Page:The council of seven.djvu/29

 "Were you able to find out whether it is their intention to reprint the speech as given in the Evening Press?"

"That, of course, is what I tried to do. I put the question, point blank. But I couldn't get anything definite. The fact is I don't think Mr. Wingrave knew, but a sub-editor is like a policeman, he'll never own a limit to his knowledge. He hummed and hawed and grew very Planeto-pontifico, the little donkey. However, I clinched the matter finally by making him promise to ring me up as soon as Mr. Gage came in."

"What time is he expected?"

"As a rule, he looks in at the Office between ten and eleven."

"When does the paper go to press?"

"About midnight—the first edition."

Endor looked at his watch. "Only five minutes to nine at present."

"There's any amount of time." The note of reassurance was very stimulating. "And if we can't get something definite out of them in the course of the next two hours, I'll go down to the office and see Mr. Gage myself. Now, let me get you some coffee and a little of the Club brandy—if you'll condescend to it—and then I'll see what can be done with the U. P."

"Please, please, finish your dinner before you do anything further."

"There's not a moment to lose with the U. P.," she said decisively. "I tried to get through five minutes