Throughout, Douglas, with a strained face, had been plucking at his principal's arm. Now Elias M. Pierce turned to him.
"Go to Judge Ransome," he said sharply, "and get an injunction against the 'Clarion.'"
McGuire Ellis sauntered over. "I wouldn't," he drawled.
"I'm not asking your advice."
"And I'm not looking for gratitude. But just let me suggest this: Ransome may be one of the judges you brag of owning. But if he grants an injunction I'll advise Mr. Surtaine to publish a spread on the front page, stating that we have the facts, that we're enjoined from printing them at present, but that now or a year from now we'll tell the whole story in every phase. With that hanging over him, I don't believe Judge Ransome will care to issue any fake injunction."
"There's such a thing as contempt of court," warned Douglas.
"Making and unmaking judges, for example?" suggested Ellis.
"Just one final word to you." The Pierce face was thrust close to Hal's. "You keep your hands off my daughter if you expect to live in this town."
"My one regret for Miss Pierce is that she is your daughter," retorted Hal. "You have given me the material for a leading editorial in to-morrow's issue. I recommend you to buy the paper."
The other glared at him speechless.