Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/165

 "Good!" exclaimed the city editor, slapping the desk. "Why didn't you say so before? Then, Mr. Reed, it must be a beat, sir."

But Reed, looking closely at Carrington, only said, "This is all pat, then? Read that." His tone was gentle, as though talking to a scared child. "Quick; this is important." Carrington saw his hand tremble as he held out the telegram.

The cub reporter took his feet down from the table. "Why—why, no sir," he said, getting up, "I didn't have any private interview."

Reed simply stared at him, but Van Cise exclaimed, "What! you just now said"

"No, I said I asked that question by myself—on my own hook, that is. Why, the others were all right there. I thought"

"All right there!" exclaimed Van Cise. Reed dropped his hand to his side, and began to blink and smile weakly.

"Good Lord!" groaned Hopper. The rest of the room were gathering round the group, and looked from Reed to Carrington. Van Cise shouted at the cub, two feet