"Then what are you worryin' about?" Hallett challenged. "We were only tryin' to keep up dividends. We had to choose between a little risk and protecting the stockholders. Lots of the stockholders are widows and orphans. Besides, it wasn't a real risk; it was a recognized, legitimate business risk. Lots of other roads do it right along. Our own roads do."
"That bridge——" said Rivington.
"The state inspectors passed it a month ago. And they passed the rails, too. It's all up to them."
In his turn, Hallett glanced at the man at the head of the table. He saw the man's hairy hands, fat and white against the mahogany, begin to move as they always began to move before he made a verbal attack upon conversation; but the man did not speak.
"I know," Rivington was saying, "but with the four candidates for the district-attorneyship all looking for vote-getting material——"
"Buy 'em," said Hallett.
"Four?"
"Who's the fourth?"
"They haven't chosen him yet; but——"
"Buy 'em," repeated Hallett.