Part 73 (1/2)
”Come. We've decided. Now, put up or shut up. No more beating about the bush.”
Peter puffed his cigar.
”Tell us what you intend, Stirling,” said Number One. ”We are committed beyond retreat. Come in with us, or stay outside the breastworks.”
”Perhaps,” said Peter, ”since you've taken your own position, without consulting me, you will allow me the same privilege.”
”Go to--where you please,” said Number Six, crossly.
Peter puffed his cigar.
”Well, what do you intend to do?” asked Number One.
Peter knocked the ash off his cigar. ”You consider yourselves pledged to support Maguire?”
”Yes. We are pledged,” said four voices in unison.
”So am I,” said Peter.
”How?”
”To oppose him,” said Peter.
”But I tell you the majority of the convention is for him,” said Number One. ”Don't you believe me?”
”Yes.”
”Then what good will your opposition do?”
”It will defeat Maguire.”
”No power on earth can do that.”
Peter puffed his cigar.
”You can't beat him in the convention, Stirling. The delegates pledged to him, and those we can give him elect him on the first ballot.”
”How about November fourth?” asked Peter.
Number One sprang to his feet. ”You don't mean?” he cried.
”Never!” said Number Three.
Peter puffed his cigar.
”Come, Stirling, say what you intend!”
”I intend,” said Peter, ”if the Democratic convention endorses Stephen Maguire, to speak against him in every ward of this city, and ask every man in it, whom I can influence, to vote for the Republican candidate.”
Dead silence reigned.