At the last hour, before stuffing the boxes, he would learn how the city was going.

If it looked favorable for the Republicans it would be easy to complete the victory and complain that his lieutenants had been suborned.

If it looked certain for the Democrats he could throw Gilgan and pocket his funds.

In either case he would be "in" twenty-five to thirty thousand dollars, and he would still be councilman.
"All very fine," replied Mr.Kerrigan, pretending a dullness which he did not feel; "but it's damned ticklish business at best.

I don't know that I want anything to do with it even if we could win.