“Yes, no doubt of it,” said MacKellar.
“You mentioned him before,” said Hal. “He threatened to prosecute some mine-superintendents for ballot-frauds, you said.”
“That was while he was running for election,” said MacKellar.
“Oh! I remember what Jeff Cotton said—that he was friendly to the miners in his speeches, and to the companies in his acts.”
“That's the man,” said the other, drily.
“Well,” argued Hal, “oughtn't I go to him, to give him a chance, at least? You can't tell, he might have a heart inside him.”
“It isn't a heart he needs,” replied MacKellar; “it's a back-bone.”
“But surely I ought to put it up to him! If he won't do anything, at least I'll put him on record, and it'll make another story for you, won't it, Mr. Keating?”
“Yes, that's true,” admitted the reporter. “What would you ask him to do?”
“Why, to lay the matter before the Grand Jury; to bring indictments against the North Valley bosses.”