Page:The council of seven.djvu/80

 "Oh, be damned to that, Gage!" The Chief brought his fist down solidly upon the table at which he sat. "We don't allow ourselves here to be intimidated by anything or anybody."

"Quite!" The assent was a little uneasy. "But knowing what we do, knowing what is behind all this, is it altogether politic?"

"Politic!"

"To take such risks—particularly when they are unnecessary."

"We shall not agree that the risks are unnecessary. It's our clear duty to keep the police—or why not say the Government?—up to the collar."

The editor of the Planet cordially agreed, but in the choice of the words which followed he showed great care. "I do feel very strongly," he said, "that faced as we are with two evils, it is our duty to choose the less. The police have asked us to walk delicately, and I really think we ought to do so."

"Why?"

"In the public interest."

The laugh of the Colossus was derisive. "In other words, Bennet Gage finds life too agreeable to endanger it lightly."

That went to the root of the matter, no doubt. But Mr. Hartz softened the thrust a little by offering his cigar case with the air of a good fellow which he had the valuable faculty of assuming on all occasions. As he chose a cigar for himself, he became the soul of