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Marrineal assented. "It did not seem private. Katie's is a sort of free forum. That is why I come. I like to listen. Besides, it touched me pretty closely at one or two points." The two others turned toward him, waiting. He nodded, and took upon himself an air of well-pondered frankness. "I expect to take a more active part in journalism from now on." Edmonds followed up the significant phrase.
He thought vaguely that he could appreciate the sensation of a man caught by an octopus. Yet Marrineal didn't look like an octopus.... What did he look like? What was that subtle resemblance which had eluded him in the first days of their acquaintanceship? That emanation of chill quietude; those stagnant eyes? He had it now! It dated back to his boyhood days.
"You have offended the medical advertisers by your support of the so-called Honest Label Bill." "It's a good bill." "Nearly a quarter of our advertising revenue is from the patent-medicine people." "Mostly swindlers." "They pay your salary," Marrineal pointed out. "Not mine," said Banneker vigorously. "The paper pays my salary."
If he could have come to grips with his employer, he would at least have known now where to take his stand. But Marrineal was elusive. No, not even elusive; quiescent. He waited. As time passed, Banneker's editorial and personal involvements grew more complex. At what moment might a pressure from above close down on his pen, and with what demand?
"Is it true that Laird has developed social tendencies, and is using the mayoralty to climb?" "A silly story of his enemies," answered Enderby contemptuously. "Just the sort of thing that Marrineal would naturally get hold of and use.
"Nobody does. But the effect of your editorial is to play into the hands of the anti-tobacco people. It's an indiscriminate onslaught on all tobacco. That's the effect of it." "Possibly." "And the result is that the tobacco people are threatening to cut us off from their new advertising appropriation." "Out of my department," said Banneker calmly. Marrineal was a patient man. He pursued.
It was a few days after this that, by a special interposition of kindly chance, Ives, having returned from a trip out of town, saw Banneker and Io breakfasting in the station restaurant. To Marrineal he said nothing of this at the time; nor, indeed, to any one else.
"And what do you think of that?" inquired the cheerful Marrineal, still directing his query to Banneker. "I think it's rather a large order. Why do you keep asking my opinion?" "Because I suspect that you still bring a fresh mind to bear on these matters." Banneker rose, and bade Betty Raleigh good-night.
He's an obstinate young mule for which Heaven be praised!" "No; it isn't a threat. It's a declaration of war, if you like." "You think you can beat us? With Marrineal?" "Mr. Marrineal isn't an avowed candidate, is he?" evaded Banneker. "I fancy that you'll see some rapidly evolving activity in that quarter."
He was adroit, well-spoken, smooth of surface, easy of purse, untiring, supple, and of an inexhaustible good-humor. It was from the ex-medical student that Marrineal had learned of Banneker's offer from the Syndicate, also of his over-prodigal hand in money matters. "He's got to have the cash," was the expert's opinion upon Banneker. "There's your hold on him.... Quit? No danger.
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