Even if they were published to-day we should hardly have
time to expose the plot, hammer it in, and make the issue an asset
instead of a liability. No, you must admit it yourself. There
isn't time. We must carry out the work we have so carefully planned
to cap the campaign, and if we are diverted by this it means a
let-up in our final efforts, and that is as good as McLoughlin wants
anyhow. Now, Kennedy, don't you agree with me? Squelch the pictures
now at any cost, then follow the thing up and, if we can, prosecute
after election?"
Kennedy and I, who had been so far little more than interested
spectators, had not presumed to interrupt. Finally Craig asked,
"You have copies of the pictures?"
"No," replied Bennett. "This Hanford is a brazen fellow, but he was
too astute to leave them. I saw them for an instant. They look bad.
And the affidavits with them look worse."
"H'm," considered Kennedy, turning the crisis over in his mind.
"We've had alleged stolen and forged letters before, but alleged
stolen and forged photographs are new. I'm not surprised that you
are alarmed, Bennett, nor that you want to fight, Travis."
"Then you will take up the case?" urged the latter eagerly,
forgetting both his campaign manager and his campaign manners, and
leaning forward almost like a prisoner in the dock to catch the
words of the foreman of the jury.
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