"I should think, De Graff," Bobby remonstrated, "that of all people the banks should be glad to have all this crookedness rooted out of the city. As a matter of fact, I intended shortly to ask your cooeperation in the formation of a citizens' committee to insure honest politics." "I really could not take any active part in such a movement, Mr. Burnit," returned De Graff, still more coldly. "The conservatism necessary to my position forbids my connection with any sensational publicity whatsoever." An hour later, Crone, the advertising manager, came up to Bobby very much worried, to report that not only the First National but the Second Market Bank had stopped their advertising, as had Trimmer and Company, and another of the leading dry-goods firms. "Of course," said Crone, "your editorial policy is your own, but I'm afraid that it is going to be ruinous to your advertising." "I shouldn't wonder," admitted Bobby dryly, and that was all the satisfaction he gave Crone; but inwardly he was somewhat disturbed. He had not thought of the potency of this line of attack. While he knew nothing of the newspaper business, he had already made sure that the profit was in the advertising. He sent for Jolter. "Ben," he asked, "what is the connection between the First National and the Second Market Banks and Sam Stone?" "Money," said the managing editor promptly. "Both banks are depositories of city funds." "I see," said Bobby slowly. "Do any other banks enjoy this patronage?" "The Merchants' and the Planters' and Traders' hold the county funds, which are equally at Stone's disposal." Bobby heard this news in silence, and Jolter, after looking at him narrowly for a moment, added: "I'll tell you something else. Not one of the four banks pays to the city or the county one penny of interest on these deposits. This is well known to the newspapers, but none of them has dared use it." "Go after them," said Bobby. "Moreover, it is strongly suspected that the banks pay interest privately to Stone, through a small and select ring in the court-house and in the city hall." "Go after them." "I suppose you know the men who will be involved in this," said Jolter. "Some of my best friends, I expect," said Bobby. "And some of the most influential citizens in this town," retorted Jolter. "They can ruin the _Bulletin_. They could ruin any business." "The thing's crooked, isn't it?" demanded Bobby. "As a dog's hind leg." "Go after them, Jolter!" Bobby reiterated. Then he laughed aloud. "De Graff just telephoned me that 'the conservatism of his position forbids him to take part in any sensational publicity whatsoever.'" Comment other than a chuckle was superfluous from either one of them, and Jolter departed to the city editor's room, to bring joy to the heart of the staff. It was "Bugs" Roach who scented the far-reaching odor of this move with the greatest joy.