ive it to you in advance of publication." He slapped
McAllister on the shoulder and they bade their host and hostess a
jovial adieu.

But once Wade's limousine was speeding down the street the magnate fell
strangely silent. He passed a cigar to McAllister and lighted one for
himself. For fully five minutes he did not speak a word. He listened
in a preoccupied way to the editor's opinion of the new city parks
by-law and to that gentleman's surprise interrupted him finally by a
statement entirely irrelevant.

"Cristy Lawson is a remarkably clever young woman," he said, gazing
thoughtfully at a little electric light in the roof of the car.

"For once I can agree with you entirely," nodded McAllister, flashing a
quick glance at the other's upturned face.

"I don't blame her for getting sick and tired of writing your pink-tea
items. Why don't you give her a chance at bigger game?"

"You heard what her father said?"

"I did. I want to make sure that you did too."

"What do you mean?"

"Whatever you like," snapped Wade. "There are some jobs that even a
clever woman has no business attempting, that's all."

"Why talk in riddles, Ben? What's on your mind?"

"This wonderful graft exposure which you are planning to spring on an
unsuspecting public." He rounded on McAllister and looked at him
gravely. "How much of it have you told Nat?"

"I have said nothing about it to anybody," replied the editor, plainly
puzzled. "Why?"

"My advice is to keep right on saying nothing about it. The less you
say the less you'll have to take back."

"We'll see about that in due course," chuckled McAllister. "Do I look
like a fool?"

"Appearances are often deceptive. I once knew a fellow who got so
slick at gumshoeing that he sneaked up on his own shadow and made a
fool of himself."

"Got married at high noon, perhaps?"

"Mac, seriously, I want you to promise me that you won't spring
anything without giving me twenty-four hours' notice. It's an unusual
request, I know; but I ask it in your own interests." There was no
mistaking the earnestness with which he spoke, and McAllister stared at
him.

"You--have some inside information to justify it?"

"Yes. I cannot tell you the details just now. I warn you that if your
paper attempts the so-called exposure which you have in mind without my
co-operation you'll regret it bitterly. I can help you and will be
glad to; but only on condition that you warn me when you a