Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-12-14

Say" he said between breaths, could youso
guys tell me where could find Mister Gallagherr'
The men eyed Blink suspciously "What dyou
want with him?" asked one of them
%They's a guy sick in the City hospital what
wants to see him right away" returned Blink.
1ney sent me up here on dead rum"
Another great crash and then the smoke In
the alley became binding But Blink saw the
men rum and he fancied he also a grin OF
satisfaction
telephone and called the city editor Of the Record.
He was not stranger to that official. and he
said, dis Is Blink COrrigan Know meg"
YES yes; what Is ft?" came hurried voice.
I've got sOmethin' great fer yOuse and the
Record about the fire." answered Blink excitetily.
Send man and two plain cops to meet at de-
City hospital right away. Tell 'em to wait fer
me If l don't get dere ahead Of DEM I'll point
out de men they got to arrest. Are youse orr
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
as they turned to mount the steps the Record
man and two headquarters men turned the co.,
Blink slid out from behind the pillar, down
the steps, and wildly waved his arms to the de-
tectives "Pinch 'em !" he cried as they hurried
up.
The two turned about. "Whats this for?"
asked one.
Excitedy. Blink blurted out the story. It
caused laugh from the men, looks of incretlulity
on the part of the detectives and even a question
on the face Of the reporter. But Blink instead of
losing his nerve remembered stories of the third
degree boldly jerked his thumb his shoulder
and said. mo use blufin'. It's all up wild yo,lse
He's confessed-got scared when he heard Of 0s
fire."
Blink plucked Mt the sleeve of one of the de-
tecttves and pulled him aside. "Say," he wkis-
pered. dat was bluff about him confessin."
Il know 1t. YOU scamp" the officer replied; hut
he Will son. don't you worry"
The mental preparation of the injured man
within the hospital by the police was a 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 fca-
lures of the story In anticipation waited only for
the verifcation and motive and when they came
was off in an instant. Blink followed and laid In
a stock of papers, which promised to contain an
unusual and rapd-selling story.
They did, and they sold more rapidly then ever
before in all Blink's professional experience ONLY
after the edition was exhausted Blink went home
armed WIN the proceeds IN the form of two bun,
dies, one for his mother and one for Skeeter.
It was glorious Christmas morning. The SIM
had risen brightly and Blink went in whistlina
Just he passed into the room a messenger Ar
rived and handed In an envelope and a coDy a
the Record. 1t was the first opportunity Bnk
had had to spell out the headlines, and on tho.
front page in big, black type supported by half 4
dozen subheads and encircled by Il heavy blu
pencil mark were the words: "A Newsloy De-
tective."
Blink cast 1t aside with the expression. "Slusf.f.
opened the envelope and passed it to his motl,an
Mrs. COrrigan read:
my dear Blink InclOsed find check for $40 In
part payment for last nights work. By rom
friendliness to us. the delay in securing the ~:
fession, and the fact that the men on the 90.
papers were chasing up the manager of the Re.
gent in every corner Of New York for a STORY ~,
the cause Of the fire. the Record made the great
est scoop in history. Therefore, I say the n.
closed is In part payment. Please come to the
office tomorrow night prepared to 70 to work.
HENDERSON, e.