第42章

What kind of an article would Dorn print? Those facts about the campaign fund certainly would look badly in cold type--especially if Dorn had the proofs.And Hugo Galland-- Beyond question the mere list of the corporations in which Hugo was director or large stockholder would make him absurd as a judge, sitting in that district.And Hugo the son-in-law of the most offensive capitalist in that section of the State! And the deal with House, endorsed by Kelly--how nasty that would look, IF Victor had the proofs.IF Victor had the proofs.But had he?

``I MUST have a talk with Kelly,'' said Davy, aloud.

The words startled him--not his voice suddenly sounding in the profound stillness of his bedroom, but the words themselves.It was his first admission to himself of the vicious truth he had known from the outset and had been pretending to himself that he did not know--the truth that his reform movement was a fraud contrived by Dick Kelly to further the interests of the company of financiers and the gang of politico- criminal thugs who owned the party machinery.It is a nice question whether a man is ever allowed to go in HONEST self-deception decisively far along a wrong road.However this may be, certain it is that David Hull, reformer, was not so allowed.And he was glad of the darkness that hid him at least physically from himself as he strove to convince himself that, if he was doing wrong, it was from the highest motives and for the noblest purposes and would result in the public good-- and not merely in fame and office for David Hull.

The struggle ended as struggles usually end in the famous arena of moral sham battles called conscience; and toward the middle of the following morning Davy, at peace with himself and prepared to make any sacrifice of personal squeamishness or moral idealism for the sake of the public good, sought out Dick Kelly.

Kelly's original headquarters had, of course, been the doggery in and through which he had established himself as a political power.As his power grew and his relations with more respectable elements of society extended he shifted to a saloon and beer garden kept by a reputable German and frequented by all kinds of people--a place where his friends of the avowedly criminal class and his newer friends of the class that does nothing legally criminal, except in emergencies, would feel equally at ease.He retained ownership of the doggery, but took his name down and put up that of his barkeeper.When he won his first big political fight and took charge of the public affairs of Remsen City and made an arrangement with Joe House where-- under Remsen City, whenever it wearied or sickened of Kelly, could take instead Kelly disguised as Joe House --when he thus became a full blown boss he established a secondary headquarters in addition to that at Herrmann's Garden.Every morning at ten o'clock he took his stand in the main corridor of the City Hall, really a thoroughfare and short cut for the busiest part of town.With a cigar in his mouth he stood there for an hour or so, holding court, making appointments, attending to all sorts of political business.

Presently his importance and his ideas of etiquette expanded to such an extent that he had to establish the Blaine Club.Joe House's Tilden Club was established two years later, in imitation of Kelly.If you had very private and important business with Kelly-- business of the kind of which the public must get no inkling, you made--preferably by telephone--an appointment to meet him in his real estate offices in the Hastings Building--a suite with entrances and exits into three separated corridors.

If you wished to see him about ordinary matters and were a person who could ``confer'' with Kelly without its causing talk you met him at the Blaine Club.If you wished to cultivate him, to pay court to him, you saw him at Herrmann's--or in the general rooms of the club.If you were a busy man and had time only to exchange greetings with him--to ``keep in touch''--you passed through the City Hall now and then at his hour.Some bosses soon grow too proud for the vulgar democracy of such a public stand;but Kelly, partly through shrewdness, partly through inclination, clung to the City Hall stand and encouraged the humblest citizens to seek him there and tell him the news or ask his aid or his advice.

It was at the City Hall that Davy Hull sought him, and found him.

Twice he walked briskly to the boss; the third time he went by slowly.Kelly, who saw everything, had known from the first glance at Hull's grave, anxious face, that the young leader of the ``holy boys'' was there to see him.But he ignored Davy until Davy addressed him directly.

``Howdy, Mr.Hull!'' said he, observing the young man with eyes that twinkled cynically.``What's the good word?''

``I want to have a little talk with you,'' Davy blurted out.

``Where could I see you?''

``Here I am,'' said Kelly.``Talk away.''

``Couldn't I see you at some--some place where we'd not be interrupted? I saw Victor Dorn yesterday, and he said some things that I think you ought to know about.''

``I do know about 'em,'' replied Kelly.

``Are you sure? I mean his threats to--to----''

As Davy paused in an embarrassed search for a word that would not hurt his own but recently soothed conscience, Kelly laughed.

``To expose you holy boys?'' inquired he.``To upset the nice moral campaign you and Joe House have laid out? Yes, I know all about Mr.Victor Dorn.But--Joe House is the man you want to see.You boys are trying to do me up--trying to break up the party.You can't expect ME to help you.I've got great respect for you personally, Mr.Hull.Your father--he was a fine old Republican wheel-horse.He stood by the party through thick and thin--and the party stood by him.So, I respect his son--personally.But politically-- that's another matter.