The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1918-12-20

1. say, ne Sa1Q between DreathS could y0uS0
guys tell me where could find Mister Gallagher?"
The men eyed Blink suspiciously. "What d'you
want with hin? % asked one of them.
"a They's a guy sick in the City hospital what
wants to see him right away" returned Blink.
They sent me up here on dead run"
Another great crash and then the smoke in
the alley became binding. But Blink saw the
men run, and he fancied he saw also grin Of
satisfaction
Close on their heels Blink ran to the nearest
telephone and called the city editor of the Record
He was not a stranger to that official. and he
said, dis is Blink Corrigan. Know me?"
''Yes, yes; what is it?" came a hurried voice.
1--we got somethin' great fer youse and the
Record about the fire." answered Blink excitedly.
Send man and two plain cops to meet at de
City hospital right away. Tell 'em to wait fer
me If don't get dere ahead of dem I'll point
out de men they got to arrest. Are youse ONT"
"Cause of fre?" questioned the city editor.
= Sure an sumner
At the hospital Blink stationed himself in the
shadow of one of the big columns at the main
entrance. Presently the two men from the thea
ter appeared. Blink's heart started to sink, but
they turned to mount the steps the Record
man and two headquarters men turned the COZ
ner.
Blink slid out from behind the pillar, ran down
the steps, and wildly waved his arms to the de-
tectives. pinch emI" he cried, as they hurried
up.
The two men turned about "What's this for?"
asked one.
Excitedly Blink blurted out the story. 1t
caused laugh from the men, looks of incredulity
on the part of the detectives, and even question
on the face of the reporter. But Blink instead of
losing his nerve, remembered stories of the third
degree" boldly jerked his thumb over his shoulder
and said, eNo use bluffin' It's all up wild youse.
He's confessed-got scared when he heard of Ne
fire.
Blink plucked ut the sleeve Of one of the de-
teetives and pulled him aside "Say," he whs.
pered, sdat was a bluff about him confessn'."
II know 1t, you scamp" the officer replied; "but
he viii son, don't you worry"
The mental preparation of the injured man
within the hospital by the police was slow and
tedious process through which Blink was con-
soled by numerous winks from the reporter. It
was long after press time before the detectives
called upon the newspaper man to take down the
confession which verified Blinks story. In the
meantime the reporter had written the main fea-
lures of the story in anticipation, waited only for
the veriication and motive, and when they came
was off in an instant. Blink followed and laid in
a stock of papers, which promised to contain
unusual and rapid-selling story.
They did, and they sold more rapidly then ever
before in all Blinks professional experience Only
after the edition was exhausted Blink went home,
armed with the proceeds in the form of two bum
dies, one for his mother and for Skeeter.
1t was a glorious Christmas morning. The sun
had risen brightly and Blink went In whistling
Just as he passed into the room messenger ar.
rived and handed in an envelope and copy of
the Record. 1t the first opportunity Blink
had had to spell out the headlines, and on the
front page in big, black type, supported by half
dozen subheads and encircled by heavy blue
pencil mark were the words "a Newsboy De-
tective."
Blink cast it aside with the expression "Slush! 7"
opened the envelope, and passed it to his motherI
Mrs. Corrigan read:
"N1y dear Blink: Inclosed find check for $50 in
part payment for last nights work. By your
friendliness to US, the delay in securing the con
fession, and the fact that the men ON the other
papers were chasing up the manager of the Re.
gent in every corner Of New York for story ON
the cause Of the fire, the Record made the great.
est scoop in history. Therefore I say, the I'M
closed is in part payment. Please come to the
Office tomorrow night prepared to go to work.
ANDERSON, c. E."