“Of course. It won’t be a pleasant thing to do, but then it isn’t exactly pleasant to sit quiet and let these factions use the State as a pawn in their game of grab.”
“I’m with you, Sam. Go to it, my boy, and I’ll back you to the limit.”
“We had better not talk it over here. Come to my room after dinner and bring Landor and James with you. I’ll have Reedy and Keller there. I’ll mention casually that it’s a big game of poker, and I’ll have cards and drinks sent up. You want to remember we can’t be too careful. If it leaks out we lose.”
“I’m a clam, Sam. Do you want I should speak of it to Landor and James?”
“Better wait till we get together.”
“What about Ward? He’s always been with us.”
“He talks too much. We can take him in at the last minute if we like.”
“That would be better. I ain’t so sure about Reedy, either. He’s straight as a string, of course; not a crooked hair in his head. But when he gets to drinking he’s likely to let things out.”
“You’re right. We’ll leave him out, too, until the last minute. There’s another thing I’ve thought of. Ridgway can’t win. At least I don’t see how he can control more than twenty five votes. Suppose at the very last moment we make a deal with him and with the Democrats to pool our votes on some square man. With Waring it’s anything to beat the Consolidated. He’ll jump at the chance if he’s sure he is out of the running himself. Those of the Democrats that Harley can’t buy will be glad to beat his man. I don’t say it can be done, Jack. All I say is that it is worth a trial.”
“You bet.”