The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1900-11-02

most important news to tell you, news
that must not be overheard, and there
is no place so safe for confidential
conference as in hanson driving
through the streets of London. Drive
slowly toward The Evening Graphite
Office, she said to the cabman, pushing
up the door in the roof Of the hanson.
Mr.. Stoneham took his place beside
her, and the cabman turned his horse
into the direction indicated.
''Now, Mr.. Stoneham, in the first
place, I want 80 golden sovereigns.
How am to get them within half an
hourS''
'tGood graciousl dom t know. The
banks are all closed, but there is a man
at Charing Cross who would perhaps
change check for me. There is a
checkbook in the office "
''Then that's all right and settled.
Mr.. Stoneham, there's been some Jug
Cling with the public accounts in the
office of the board of public construc-
tion."
''What A defalcation ?" cried Stone
ham eagerly.
''No; merely a shifting round"
"Ahi" said the editor in disap-
pointed tone
"Oh, you needn't say 'Ahp It's very
serious. It is indeed. The accounts are
calculated to deceive the dear and con-
fding public, to whose interests all the
daily papers, morning and evening, pre-
tend to be devoted. The very fact Of
such deception being attempted, Mr..
Stoneham, ought to call forth the anger
of any virtuous editor
"Oh, it does, it does But then it
would be a difficult matter to prove. If
some money were gone, now
"My dear sir, the matter is already
proved and quite ripe for your energetic
handling of it. That's what the ESQ are
for. This sum will secure for you-to-
night, mind, not tomorrow-a state
ment bristling with figures which the
board OF construction cannot deny. You
will be able in stirring leading article
to express the horror you undoubtedly
feel at the Justification of the figures,
and your stern delight in doing so will
probably not be mitigated by the fact
that no other paper in London will
have the news.
II see, said the editor, his eyes
glistening as the magnitude of the idea
began to appeal more strongly to his
imagination. "Who makes out this
statement. and how are we to know that
it is absolutely correct?'
"Well, there is point on which /
wish to inform yen before going any
further. 1t is not absolutely correct
Two or three errors have been purposely
put in, the object being to throw in
vestigators off the track if they try to
discover who gave the news to the
press. for the man who will sell me this
document is clerk in the office of the
board of public construction. So, you
see, you are getting the facts from the
inside.
"Well, the traitor seems to be cover
ing up his tracks rather effectually.
How did you come to know him 2"
II don't know him. I've never met
him in my life, but 1t came to my
knowledge that one Of the morning pa
pers had already made all its plans for
getting this information. The clerk was
to get 500 for the document, but tine
editor and he are at present negotiat-
ing, because the editor insists upon alb
solute accuracy, while, as I said, the
man wishes to protect himself cover
his tracks as you say
"Good graciousl" cried Stoneham,
~ didn't think the editor of any MORN
ing paper in London was SO particular
about the accuracy of what he printed" I"
The shrewd and energetic dealer in
coins whose little Office stood at the
exit from Charing Cross station proved
quite willing to oblige he.editor of The
Evening Graphite with so sovereigns
in exchange for the bit of paper, and
the editor, handing to Miss Jennie the
envelope containing the gold, saw her
drive off for Brixton (where, at II Ru-
pert square, the directory had told her
Mr.. Hazel lived), while he turned not
to resume his game of dominos at the
cafe, but to his Office, to write the lead
er, which would express in good set
terms the horror he felt at the action of
the board of public construction.
1t was little past o'clock when
Miss Baxter's hanson drove up to the
two storied building in Rupert square
numbered IL. She knocked at the door,
and it was speedily opened by man
with some trace of anxiety on his cloud
ed face, who proved to be Hazel him
self. the clerk at the board of public
construction.
"You are Mr.. HazelH" she ventured,
on entering
'tYes, replied the man, quite evil
IDENTIFY surprised at seeing a lady instead
of the man he was expecting at that
hour, ''but l am afraid will have to
ask you to excuse me. am waiting
for visitor who is few minutes late
and who may be here at any moment"
''You are waiting for Mr.. Alder, are
you nots"
''Yes." stammered the man, his ex-
preston of surprise giving place to one
of CONSERVATION.
"Oh. well. that is all right" said
Miss Jennie reassuringly. al have Just
driven from the Office of The Daily
Bugle. Mr.. Alder cannot come tonight
"Ah, said Hazel, closing the door.
''Then are you here In his placer
81 am here instead of him. Mr.. AL
der is on other business that he had to
attend to at the editors request Now,
Mr.. Hardwick-that's the editor. you
know
"Yes, / know" answered Hazel