Page:Lynch Williams--The stolen story and other newspaper stories.djvu/69

 a big beat. Yer gotter hustle if yer want it.'" Then, grinning again, "Might's well tell yer, long as yer on."

"I believe you this time," said the editor, "though I haven't opened it. See? It was not addressed to me."

The boy sniffed contemptuously, either at himself or at Stone, or both. Then he impudently looked in Stone's eyes and asked, " Why don't yer send it to The Eart', then?"

Stone had a sense of humor and laughed.

"I shall, in the morning," he said, "with a note."

"Huh," said the boy. "They was six other envelopes on the table when I come in here. Some of 'em ought to got there by now."

Stone only said: "Some day you'll make a first-class crook and we'll have column stories about you, with your picture."

The boy almost blushed at this prediction of greatness, but Stone did not notice that, for a strange voice came in from the other room, saying: "I tell you I've got to see him." Stone locked the door and ran out.