He put his cigar back in his mouth, blinked his eyes defiantly, and leaned back in his chair.
"Very good," commented Hand, simply; "but how much money ?" "Ah, that's another question," replied Gilgan, straightening up once more.

"Some wards require more than others.

Counting out the eight that are normally Republican as safe, you would have to carry eighteen others to have a majority in council.

I don't see how anything under ten to fifteen thousand dollars to a ward would be safe to go on.

I should say three hundred thousand dollars would be safer, and that wouldn't be any too much by any means." Mr.Gilgan restored his cigar and puffed heavily the while he leaned back and lifted his eyes once more.
"And how would that money be distributed exactly ?" inquired Mr.Hand.
"Oh, well, it's never wise to look into such matters too closely," commented Mr.Gilgan, comfortably.