As a matter of fact, Whitney had been far-sighted enough to see
that scholarship could be capitalized, not only as an
advertisement, but in more direct manners. Just at present one of
his pet schemes was promoting trade through the canal between the
east coast of North America and the west coast of South America.
He had spent a good deal of money promoting friendship between men
of affairs and wealth in both New York and Lima. It was a good
chance, he figured, for his investments down in Peru were large,
and anything that popularized the country in New York could not
but make them more valuable.
"Norton seemed rather averse to talking about Whitney," I ventured
to Craig, as we rode downtown.
"That may be part of Whitney's cleverness," he returned
thoughtfully. "As a patron of art and letters, you know, a man can
carry through a good many things that otherwise would be more
critically examined."
Kennedy did not say it in a way that implied that he knew anything
very bad about Whitney. Still, I reflected, it was astute in the
man to insure the cooperation of such people as Norton. A few
thousand dollars judiciously spent on archaeology might cover up a
multitude of sins of high finance.
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