“I’ll tell you something else. Not one of the four banks pays to the city or the county one penny of interest on these deposits. This is well known to the newspapers, but none of them has dared use it.”
“Go after them,” said Bobby.
“Moreover, it is strongly suspected that the banks pay interest privately to Stone, through a small and select ring in the court-house and in the city hall.”
“Go after them.”
“I suppose you know the men who will be involved in this,” said Jolter.
“Some of my best friends, I expect,” said Bobby.
“And some of the most influential citizens in this town,” retorted Jolter. “They can ruin the Bulletin. They could ruin any business.”
“The thing’s crooked, isn’t it?” demanded Bobby.
“As a dog’s hind leg.”
“Go after them, Jolter!” Bobby reiterated. Then he laughed aloud. “De Graff just telephoned me that ‘the conservatism of his position forbids him to take part in any sensational publicity whatsoever.’”