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.
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