Guffey was in charge of the job; as in the
Goober case, the big business interests of the city were going ahead
while the government was still wiping the sleep out of its eyes.
Would Peter take a job spying upon the Reds in American City?
"I can't!" exclaimed Peter. "They're all sore at me because I didn't
testify in the Goober case."
"We can easily fix that up," answered the rat-faced man. "It may
mean a little inconvenience for you. You may have to go to jail for
a few days."
"To jail!" cried Peter, in dismay.
"Yes," said the other, "you'll have to get arrested, and made into a
martyr. Then, you see, they'll all be sure you're straight, and
they'll take you back again and welcome you."
Peter didn't like the idea of going to jail; his memories of the
jail in American City were especially painful. But McGivney
explained that this was a time when men couldn't consider their own
feelings; the country was in danger, public safety must be
protected, and it was up to everybody to make some patriotic
sacrifice. The rich men were all subscribing to liberty bonds; the
poor men were going to give their lives; and what was Peter Gudge
going to give? "Maybe I'll be drafted into the army," Peter
remarked.
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