Enoch's face was a cold mask. "I can't deny it, Havisham. The facts stated are true. The inferences drawn as to my character are false. The bringing of Miss Allen into the story was a blasphemy. All things considered, as far as publicity goes, utter silence is my only recourse. As for my private retaliation on Brown, that's another and a personal matter." Senator Havisham looked at Enoch through half-shut eyes. "Huntingdon, let me issue that statement, exactly as you have made it." "No," replied Enoch flatly. "The less reference made by us to the Brown canard, the better chance of its being forgotten." The Senator puffed silently, then said, "Why does Brown hate you?" "I have fought his Mexican policy." "Yes, I know, but is that the only reason?" "As far as my knowledge goes," replied Enoch. "Of course, now that he's openly committed to Fowler, he has an added grievance." "There is nothing personal between you?" "I never laid eyes on the man in my life. I never did him an intentional injury. I am merely in his way. I always have despised his papers and now I despise him. Understand, Senator, that, without regard to diplomacy, Brown and I must have it out." Havisham shook his head. "You'd better let him alone, Huntingdon. He has an awful weapon in his papers and he can smear you in the public mind no matter how obviously false his stories may be." Enoch's lips tightened. "I'm not afraid of Brown. But all things considered, Havisham, you'd better leave me out of your list of presidential possibilities." "There is no list! Or, at least, you're the list!" The Senator's laugh was a little rueful. "And," Enoch went on, "strange as it may seem, I'm not sure that I want the Presidency. It seems to me that I might be far more useful in the Capitol than in the White House." "Not to the party!" exclaimed Havisham quickly. "No, to the country!" "Perhaps, but it's a debatable matter, which I don't intend to debate. You are our man. If you won't deny the Brown canard, then we must go ahead without the denial." Enoch looked thoughtfully from the window, then turned back to the Senator. "There is no great hurry, is there? Give me a month to get matters clear in my own mind." "There is no hurry, except that the Brown papers work while others sleep, and Fowler is Brown's nominee. However, take your month, old man. I don't doubt that you have troubles of your own!"