“I have no doubt you are right, but it isn’t in shape for us to use. Such a case rarely goes to trial for six months or a year, and so, if we begin an attack now, it will simply fall flat. If you can get us a written statement from the District Attorney that he doesn’t intend to push the case, we can do something, but I suppose he’s far too shrewd to commit himself.”
“Yes.”
“Then there’s no use in beginning an attack, for you really have no powder. Come in again a year from now, and then we may be able to say something, if he hasn’t acted in the meantime.”
Peter left the office, knowing that that chance of pressure was gone. If the papers of the Republican party would not use it, it was idle spending time in seeing or trying to see the editors of the Democratic papers. He wasted therefore no more efforts on newspapers.
The next three days Peter passed in the New York Law Institute Library, deep in many books. Then he packed his bag, and took an afternoon train for Albany. He was going to play his last card, with the odds of a thousand to one against his winning. But that very fact only nerved him the more.
Promptly at ten o’clock, the morning after his arrival at the state capital, he sent in his card to the Governor. Fortunately for him, the middle of August is not a busy time with that official, and after a slight delay, he was ushered into the executive chamber.
Peter had been planning this interview for hours, and without explanation or preamble, he commenced his statement. He knew that he must interest the Governor promptly, or there would be a good chance of his being bowed out. So he began with a description of the cow-stables. Then he passed to the death of the little child. He sketched both rapidly, not taking three minutes to do it, but had he been pleading for his own life, he could not have spoken more earnestly nor feelingly.
The Governor first looked surprised at Peter’s abruptness; then weary; then interested; and finally turned his revolving chair so as to put his back to Peter. And after Peter had ended his account, he remained so for a moment. That back was very expressive to Peter. For the first time he felt vanquished.
But suddenly the Governor turned, and Peter saw tears on his cheek. And he said, after a big swallow, “What do you want of me?” in a voice that meant everything to Peter.
“Will you listen to me for five minutes?” asked Peter, eagerly.