"It is rather a difficult assignment," he concluded, "but it must be done. There are great interests at stake."
"I think I can manage it," said Irwin cheerfully.
"I am afraid you will have to manage it," said the Judge.
"I'll simply tell my friend——"
The Judge raised his hand and smiled.
"No details, please," said he.
"Very well," Irwin, still cheerful, agreed.
"All that I need add," said the Judge, "is this: we must take only one step at a time. If we can succeed by persuasion, there is no need to use other measures. I do not want to use other measures unless he forces us to use them. Remember that. The first thing to do is to convince him that we are too strong for him. For instance, he has this reform nomination for the district-attorneyship. If he could be made to see that we could take that nomination away from him, he might listen to reason."
"I see."
"You will report results to me. Not methods, Irwin: only the results, but please report the results step by step. And understand that whoever undertakes this matter must not know too much to be dangerous, but must know enough to make no error."