Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/262

 interesting as it might be to many of you. He was sick of dead, dissipated brothers with "horrible lessons" to young men newly rich. But he considered it his business to get the news, even though he had to adopt means not dissimilar to those employed in cross-examinations by this same successful lawyer, who was now realizing what he had let out and what it would mean if made public.

"I am sorry," said Billy, shaking his head. "But the next time"—opening the door—"you'll have more respect for The Day. If you do not care to talk, you should always say so. Then you will not be liable to mention things which, as you say, will disgrace your family and your firm when published. Little boy, why don't you see to your father. He's almost hysterical. I wish you all good-day," and Billy slammed the door, feeling dramatic.

The next morning, after a sleepless night, the white-mustached lawyer crept down-stairs in his bath-robe, opened the paper, which shook, and read that Colonel So-and-so when asked by a Day reporter to make