Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1907-02-07
nave drawn him without hesitation.

felt I4oder smiled to himself as his
eyes fell on the days placards with
their uncompromising headings and
passed onward from the string of gay
ly painted carts drawn up to receive
their first consignment of the paper to
the troop of eager newsboys passing in
and out of the big swing doors with
their piled up bundles of the early edi-
tion, and with a renewed thrill of
anticipation and energy he passed
through the doorway and ran upstairs.
Passing unchallenged through the long
corridor that led to Lakeley's office, he
caught fresh impression of action
and vitality from the click of the tape
machines in the subeditor'S Office, and
a glimpse through the open door of the
subeditors themselves, each occupied
with his particular task; then without
time for further observation he found
himself at Lakeley's door. Without
waiting to knock, as he had felt com
PEELED to do on the one OF two previous
occasions that business had brought
him there, he Immediately turned the
hardle and entered the room.
Editors officers differ but little in
general effect Lakeley's surroundings
were rather more elaborate than is
usual, as became the dignity of the
oldest Tory evening paper, but the at
mosphere was unmistakable. AS LodeT
entered he glanced up from the desk
at which he was sitting. but instantly
returned to his task of looking through
and making pile of early evening edi-
tons that were spread around him
His coat was off and hung on the chair
behind him. and he pulled vigorously
on long cigar.
''Hello! That's right" he said lacon-
ically. MAKE yourself comfortable
half a second. while skim the st.
Stephens"
His salutation pleased Loder. With
a nod of acquiescence he crossed the
Office to the brisk fire that burned in
the CRATE.
For a minute or two Lakeley worked
steadily. occasionally breaking the quiet
by an unintelligible remark or a vigor-
GUS stroke of his pencil. At last he
dropped the paper with gesture of
satisfaction and leaned back in his
chair.
''WeIl," he said, what d'you think
of this? How's this for complica-
tion?"
Loder turned round 81 think" he
said quietly, that we can't overesti-
mate it,
Lakeley laughed and took long pull
at his cigar. And we mustn't be
afraid to let the Scarborough crowd
know it. eli ?'' He waved his hand to
the poster of the first edition that hung
before his desk.
Loder following his glance. smiled.
LakeIey laughed again. .'rhey mIghl
have known it all along if they'd cared
to deduce,' he said did they really
believe that Russia was going to sit
calmly looking across the Heri-Rud
while the shah played at modelling?
But what became of you last night?
We had regular prophesying of the
whole business at Bramfell's; the great
Fraide looked in for five minutes.
went on with him to the club after
ward and was there when the news
came in. Twas a great night!''
Loders face lighted up. Il can mag
inc it, he said. with an unusual touch
of warmth.
Lakeley watched him intently for
moment Then with a quick action
he leaned forward and rested his ell
bows on the desk.
cts going to be something more
than imagination for you, Chilcote," he
said impressively. ITS going to be
solid earnest!" He spoke rapidly and
with rather more than his usual
shrewd decisiveness; then he paused to
see the effect of his announcement.
Loder was still studying the faring
poster At the others words he turn
ed sharply. Something in Lakeleys
voice, something in his manner, arrest
ed him. A tinge of color crossed his
face.
"Reality?" he said. What do you
mean?"
For a further space his companion
watched him, then with a rapid move
ment he tilted back his chair.
eyes, he said. Eyes; old Fraides
instincts are never far out. He's quite
right. You're the man"
Still quietly, but with a strange I'M
derglow of excitement, Loder left the
fire and, coming forward, took chair
at Lakeley's desk.
"Do you mind telling me what you're
driving at?' he asked in his old, la
comic voice.
Lakeley still scrutinized him with an
air of brisk satisfaction; then with a
gesture Of finality he tossed his cigar
away.
my dear chap. he said, there's go
ing to be breach somewhere and
Fraide says you're the man to step in
and fill it! You see, five years ago,
when things looked lively on the gulf
and the Bundar Abbas business came
to light, you did some promising work,
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