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'What's that?' inquired Gus Varney.
'The old Trojan horse trick.'
Varney appeared puzzled. 'Trojan horse trick?'
'Filtering someone from our side into the Everleigh Club. Letting that person find out first-hand that the Everleigh girls are still taking men to bed for pay. That would be solid proof.'
'It would be, indeed,' agreed Evans. 'But how could you get such a person in without arousing suspicion? I imagine the Everleighs will be doubly cautious about customers right now.'
Harrison nodded. 'They've always been cautious. They've admitted only persons well known to them, or customers who were recommended by trusted friends or who could prove their social standing and respectability.'
'How does a man make himself obviously respectable?' asked Jim Evans.
'Many ways. It could be his ma
Several aides voiced their approval.
'One of you, properly attired for the evening, could present this card for admittance. First, you'd ask for a girl, and the two of you could have a real costly di
'Wouldn't that be entrapment?' someone called out.
'I think our friendly courts might shut their eyes to that. Of course, it would be better, once finished, to tell the girl what you're doing. Since she'll be out of a job anyway, you could suggest she come along as a witness to back you up -in return for a sizeable bribe. That would be perfect.'
'Who's the lucky man?' Gus Varney wanted to know. 'Who gets the call?'
'Well, let me think a moment -'
Harrison examined each of his aides carefully, trying to imagine which one might be able to carry out the infiltration best. Most of them had been on his staff too long a time and might be recognized by another customer at the Everleigh Club. At last, his gaze fixed on Gus Varney.
'You,' said Harrison. 'You're the lucky one, Gus. Not because you're so beautiful and sexy.' Varney was, in fact, a beanpole and almost chinless. 'You've been on my staff the shortest time. You're from Detroit and haven't been around Chicago very long. Not that many people are familiar with you. You're the least likely to be recognized. Yes, I should say you'd be about right. You want the job?'
Varney gri
'Then you've got the job,' said Harrison. 'Get yourself dressed neater than you are now, get that business card printed, and find out from Coughlin and Ke
'Haven't failed yet,' said Varney.
After worrying for twenty-four hours about bringing the matter out into the open, Mi
Mi
The coloured servants arrived first, most coming from their comfortable quarters in the basement. Next, the five members of the Everleigh Club orchestra arrived. Standing at the perimeters of the Turkish Room, they watched as the girls filed in, a few fully dressed, most still in peignoirs, a dazzling array of youthful brunettes, blondes, redheads. As they came in to take their places, Mi
When the entire group was settled, and with all curious eyes on her, Mi
'Aida is tending the front door, so I'm handling this gathering alone,' Mi
Mi
'As you all know from yesterday's papers, Mayor Carter Harrison is our sworn enemy. I need hardly remind you that he won re-election on a reform platform. He had pledged to clean up the Levee, and his first priority was and is the Ever-leigh Club. Can the mayor shut us down? The answer is a definite yes, if he can prove that our Club is a house of prostitution. You and I know that is absurd…'
There was a ripple of laughter in the Turkish Room.
'… and so I am glad we all know what this is,' continued Mi
Phyllis, a tall blonde, came to her feet. 'Mi
Mi
Finding her package of Sweet Caporals, Mi
'There will be business as usual,' Mi
Avis, a small, curvaceous brunette, rose to her feet. 'Mi
'Not long,' said Mi
'But how long?' Avis persisted.
'Let's say maybe two weeks,' Mi
There was a chorus of assents.
Mi
'All right,' she said, 'our policy of caution goes into effect immediately – today – tonight. Tomorrow I intend to hire a new doctor, who will be instructed to observe the same cautions. If all of you do as you're told, we have not a thing to worry about. We can go forward and continue to live the good life.'