Evening star., 1914-04-05


duty that he must see Spencer Meyrck at once.
But Mr.. Meyrick is very busy today, the clerk OBJ
ected.
"Say this is-life and DEATH" replied Gonzale, and
the clerk willing, teephoned to the milonares apart
ments.
ously he paced the lobby, consuming cigarette after
another glancng often at his watch Finally Spencer
Neyrick appeared, pompous red faced, hard man to
handle, as he always had been. The Spaniard noted
this, and his Sits of eyes grew even narrower.
"Wi you with me?" he asked suavely. at is
most important
He led the way to summerhouse in far, forgotten
of the hotel grounds Protesting Spencer Mey
rick followed. The two sat down.
q have something to show YOU said Gonzale po-
tely, and removed from his pocket copy of THE San
Marco Mall still damp from the presses.
Spencer Meyrics took the paper in his own large,
capable hands. He glanced the first page, and his
face grew somewhat redder than its wont. huge
headline was responsible:
HARRoWBY WASN'T TAKING ANY cHANcEsi
Underneath in slightly smaller type, Spencer Ney
rick read:
Remarkable Foresight of English Fortune Hunter Who
Weds Miss Meyrick Today. Took Out Policy for
f75O00 with Lloyds Same to Be Payable in
Case the Beautiful Heiress Suffered
Change of Heart.
Prominent on the page large photograph,
which purported to be aAn Exact Facsimile of the
Policy"
Mevrick examined it. He glanced through the story,
which happened to be commercially brief He told
himself he must remain calm avoid fireworks, think
quickly Laying the paper his knee, he turned to the
little, white-garbed man beside him.
"What trick is ths?7 he asked sharply.
at is no trick SIR said Gonzale pleasantly. at is
the truth. That is photograph of the policy
Old Meyrick studied the cut again. 3I be damned!'
he remarked.
a have no desire to annoy" Gonzale went on; "but
there five thousand copies of todays Mail at the
office ready to be distributed at signal from
Think Sir! Newsboys the street with that story at
the very moment when your daughter becomes Lady
Harrowby!"
a see,a said Aeyrick slowly. "Blackmail.'
Manuel Gonzae shuddered in horror. ooh, beg of
you'll he protested. "That is hardly it. business
proposition should call it. 1t happens that the
back of the Star Publishing Company which issues The
Mall have grown tired of the newspaper game in San
Marco. They desirous of closing out the plant at
once-say this morning. 1t to them that you
might be very glad to purchase The Nlail-beore the
edition goes on the street.
you're clever little dog said Meyrick through
his teeth.
1You are not exactly complimentary However-let
say for the argument-you buy The Mail at once
I am by the way, powered to make the sale. You
take charge. You hurry the Office. You destroy all
copies of todays issue far printed. You give orders
to the composing to kill this irst-page story
good as it is. Please KILL, you say, term with
paper men,
"You call yourself newspaper man?"
aWhy noto The story is killed Another is put in its
pace,-say for example, elaborate account of your
daughters wedding And in its changed form The
Man-your newspaper-goes on the street
"Um-and your price?'
at is valuable property
Especially valuable this morning, take it, sneered
Mevrick
aVauabe at any time. Our presses cost thousand.
Our linotvpes thousand. And there IS that other
toE. 1o
of our paper. The ce-wel-hfteen thousand dol
lars. Extremely reasonable. And will ncude-the