The morning call., 1893-11-05
that made every one who read 1t dive into
his nnnk eft for q snare half-nennY.

that made every one who read 1t dive into
his pocket for a spare half-penny.
"The Comet-SacOnd Edition-H0rrible
Murder in Regents Park-A Comet Man
Finds the Corpse This MorntDg-The
Police on the Understanding De-
tailsr'
Mr. Walsingham was wild with excite
ment. he had ordered in whole bottle of
whisky TO celebrate the event He had told
Harper, the sub-editor, that he always be-
lieved in Matehwood; that the fellow was
a brick, and that he would double his sal
ary as soon as he arrived with the prom
lsed further details for the third edition.
The bottle and glasses disappeared into
a friendly cupboard, and the editor was
seated, pen in hand, before mass of
papers, as Superintendent Wilkins of the
Metropolitan Police entered.
"Good-mnrning, Mr.. SUI uuerintendent,"
said Walsingham. Il am fearfully busy.
but | can just manage to spare you three
minutes. l suppose you want US to give
you further Information about the muir
der?"
"That's just it, SIR" said Mr.. Superin-
tendent wilkins; I'VE don't know any
thing about this murder"
always the way" said Walsiugham,
standing up with his back to the fire aud
surveying the policeman with look of
good-humored contempt. I'VE newspaper
church and the Government nowadays.
Surely we have given you plenty of infor-
nation about the murder already. We
shall give you more news presently In a
special third edition. Ny men are out
ascertaining the facts"
'But look here" said the Superintend-
ent pulling out copy OF the Comet from
his pocket, "we're not so sure that there
has been murder. 1oastways. we've not
heard a word about it. though you say
here in this paper of yours that the police
at Albany-street station were promptly
warned of the discovery and took charge
of the body. All the rest may be true; L
don't say it amt. But that's not gospel
We've wired to Albany street, and they
know nothing about it. ]"
The editor put on particularly severe
and judicial look, making great effort to
hide the chilly, nervous feeling that swept
over him as he heard the Superinteudents s
words and thought of his own threats to
Mr.. Matchwood the night before.
''1he fact" he said gravely, 'the fact
that your people know nothing about it
Albany street is interesting and shall be
noted and commented upon in our third
edition, which will also contain further
particulars of this ghastly crime"
1T looks very like ghastly sell" in
terrupted the superintendent.
IF you care to see our reporter" Mr..
Walsingham continued, without noticing
the Interruption, ''you may call here again
in an hour. Meanwhile you must excuse
my wishing you good-morning. l am ex-
ceptionally busy"
Y.
"Here you are at last. Why couldn't
you have got here sooner" was the greet
ing with which the editor received the re-
porter not ten minutes after the depart
ure of the Superintendent of Police.
why not?" replied Matcbwood. just a
little neryOusly. "WelI, the fact is, | was
trying to find the corpse again"
What the devil do YOU mean? Don't
you try to humbug me-" roared Walsing-
ham, springing to his feet and throwing
the black pipe into the CRATE.
But Matchwood had recovered his self
possession. and assumed an unwonred
GOODNESS as he said:
Don't make a row. II you do it will
only Omplicate and delay matters. If you
will hear me quietly l can explain every
thing and snow you how we may yet score
heavily"
''Go oD."
"Well. every word of my copy was gos-
pei truth except the hour of the fnd, aud
the last part-that part about the police
taking possession of the body. Now, l
eXpecteu 10 tuhhS tudt UIt uult6 True DeIOr6
you could get out your first edition. You
see, found the corpse. not this morning
but last night. That was how l was able
to send my stuff in by the night post
81 never thought of that" said Walsing-
ham reflectvely.
well, / wasn't going to go and tell the
police right away the moment found the
corpse, for then the morning papers would
have bagged all the news. OF course l
had to tell blank lie about the hour, for
it would hardly do 10 let on that had
been hiding the body all night"
"Where? Iu your rooms?" asked Wal
sineham, slightly horriied at the idea.
mo, not exactly-in some bushes in the
park. When | wrote the stuff for you
meant 10 go off the first thing to find the