You will recall
that whatever information he used, he procured himself and, before
using, laid it in your hands. You laughed at it. You will recall that
I asked you, a month before Huntingdon went out, if you would not swing
round the circle, and you begged to be excused."
Still standing, the Secretary of State bowed and said, "Mr. Huntingdon
has too distinguished an advocate to permit me to argue the matter
here."
Enoch spoke suddenly. "Although I'm grateful to the President, Mr.
Fowler, I need no advocate. What in thunder are you angry about? If
you and I are to quarrel, why not let me know the _casus belli_!"
"I've stated my grievance," said Fowler flatly.
"Your new attitude toward me has nothing to do, I suppose," suggested
Enoch, lighting a fresh cigar, "with the fact that you dined with
Hancock Brown the other evening?"
Fowler tapped his foot softly on the rug, but did not reply. Enoch
went on. "I don't want to quarrel with you, Fowler. I'm a sincere
admirer of yours. But I'm going to tell you frankly, that I don't like
Brown and that Brown must keep his tongue off of me. And I'm deeply
disappointed in you. You did not need Brown to add to your prestige in
America."
"I don't know what the idea is, Fowler," said the President suddenly,
"but I do know that the aplomb and finesse with which you conduct your
official business are entirely lacking in this affair.
Pages:
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437