"I s'pose so," the gangster admitted. "But I ain't let on about it to anyone."
"Why not?" the politician enquired derisively.
"An' have you get to know it? Then you'd squeal on me sure!"
"That's right. So we understand each other!" Welland smiled.
This delightful pair most certainly possessed an amazing mutual understanding!
Followed a pause, while they lit cigars.
"Like to know what I've done?" the gangster asked. "Well, I've got all the Prospect toughs behind me—ready to rush in as soon as we let 'em from inside. My men are just hintin' to 'em quiet that the li'l old U.S. is goin' to back us later. Also, the same thing among the guys in Black Elk. That's bolsterin' 'em up. An' later, we'll tell it that it's so, for sure." Welland nodded. "Then—look here!"
From a corner the gangster produced a large bag. Emptying it, he revealed notepaper, stamps, rubber stamps, and a flag. He spread the smaller articles out on the table and held up the flag by the corners.
"Look!" he repeated.
Welland, eyebrows raised, complied.