irmly and harshly._) This man Knox must be covered with
ridicule, swamped with ridicule, annihilated with ridicule.

{Hubbard}

It is to laugh. Trust the great American people for that. We'll
make those little Western editors sit up. They've been swearing
by Knox, like a little tin god. Roars of laughter for them.

{Chalmers}

Do you do anything yourself?

{Hubbard}

Trust me. I have my own article for Cartwright's blocked out.
They're holding the presses for it. I shall wire it along
hot-footed to-morrow evening. Say----?

{Chalmers}

(_After a pause._) Well?

{Hubbard}

Wasn't it a risky thing to give him his chance with that speech?

{Chalmers}

It was the only feasible thing. He never has given us an opening.
Our service men have camped on his trail night and day. Private
life as unimpeachable as his public life. But now is our chance.
The gods have given him into our hands. That speech will do more
to break his influence--

{Hubbard}

(_Interrupting._) Than a Fairbanks cocktail.

(_Both laugh._) But don't forget that this Knox is a live wire.
Somebody might get stung. Are you sure, when he gets up to make
that speech, that he won't be able to back it up?

{Chalmers}

No danger at all.

{Hubbard}

But there are hooks and crooks by which facts are sometimes
obtained.

{Chalmers}

(_Positively._) Knox has nothing to go on but suspicions and hints,
and unfounded assertions from the yellow press.

(_Man-servant enters, goes to tea-table, looks it over, and makes
slight rearrangements._) (_Lowering his voice._) He will make
himself a laughing stock. His charges will turn into boomerangs.
His speech will be like a sheet from a Sunday supplement, with
not a fact to back it up. (_Glances at Servant._) We'd better be
getting out of here. They're going to have tea.

(_The Servant, however, makes exit._) Come to the library and have
a high-ball. (_They pause as Hubbard speaks._)

{Hubbard}

(_With quiet glee._) And to-morrow Ali Baba gets his.

{Chalmers}

Ali Baba?

{Hubbard}

That's what your wife calls him--Knox.

{Chalmers}

Oh, yes, I believe I've heard it before. It's about time he
hanged himself, and now we've given him the rope.

{Hubbard}

(_Sinking voice and becoming deprecatingly confidential. _)

Oh, by the way, just a little friendly warning, Senator Chalmers.
Not so fast and loose up New York way. That certain lady, not to
be mentioned--there's gossip about it