A mere understrapper like Craig is of no importance." "The fact is," said Branch with great reluctance, "the President has taken a fancy to Craig." Branch said it as if he hardly expected to be believed--and he wasn't.
"To be perfectly frank," he went on, "you know the President, how easily alarmed he is.

He's afraid Craig may, by some crazy turn of this crazy game of politics, develop into a Presidential possibility.

Of course, it's quite absurd, but--" "The more reason for getting rid of him." "The contrary.

The President probably reasons that, if Craig has any element of danger in him the nearer he keeps him to himself the better.
Craig, back in the West, would be free to grow.

Here the President can keep him down if necessary.