We'll leave him out, too, until the last minute. There's
another thing I've thought of. Ridgway can't win. At least I don't see how
he can control more than twenty five votes. Suppose at the very last moment
we make a deal with him and with the Democrats to pool our votes on some
square man. With Waring it's anything to beat the Consolidated. He'll jump
at the chance if he's sure he is out of the running himself. Those of the
Democrats that Harley can't buy will be glad to beat his man. I don't say
it can be done, Jack. All I say is that it is worth a trial."
"You bet."
They met that night in Yesler's rooms round a card-table. The hands were
dealt for form's sake, since there were spies everywhere, and it was
necessary to ring for cigars and refreshments occasionally to avoid
suspicion. They were all cattlemen, large or small, big outdoors sunburned
men, who rode the range in the spring and fall with their punchers and
asked no odds of any man.
Until long past midnight they talked the details over, and when they
separated in the small hours it was with a well-defined plan to save the
State from its impending disgrace if the thing could be done.
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