ortant, sir, he says. Will you please see him at once?"

Making his excuses, Mallard left the dining-room and went into one of
the sitting-rooms, where the reporter was awaiting him.

CHAPTER X ~ THE "CHAMPION" ISSUES A "SPECIAL"

Ten minutes later Mallard was at the hall door giving instructions to
the reporter.

"Hurry back as fast as you can, Winthrop, and tell Mr. Flynn to rash
the special through. And as fast as any farther news come in rap
out another. Get all the boys you can, and distribute the specials
everywhere--anywhere. Chuck some over into the cemetery--they'll make
the dead 'get up and holler.' Tell the boys that they are not to make
any charge--get the foreman to head it 'Special! Gratis! (Any one
newsboy who makes a charge for this special will be immediately
dismissed.)' See? And tell the boys they will get five shillings each
extra in the morning. I'll be down in another twenty minates or so. Go
on, Winthrop, loop!"

Mr. Winthrop, who was as excited as Mallard himself, "looped," and the
editor returned to the dining-room with a galley-proof slip in his hand.
Every one, of coarse, saw by his face that something had occurred.

"I won't sit down again, Mrs. Trappeme, if you and the other ladies
will excuse me, for I have to hurry back to the office to attend to some
important business. There is great news." Then, bending down, he placed
his hand on Grainger's shoulder, and whispered, "You must come with me,
old man. There is glorious news from Chinkie's. I'll tell you all about
it in a minute, as soon as we are outside. Make your apologies and let
us go," and then going over to Mrs. Trappeme, he handed her the proof to
read to her guests and hurried out with Grainger, leaving every one in
the room eager to learn what had occurred.

"Oh, dear me!" began Mrs. Lee-Trappeme, adjusting her pince-nez, which
always interfered with her sight.

"SPECIAL. 'TOWNSVILLE CHAMPION.'

"WRECK.

"9 P.M., May 2nd. "Authentic news has just reached the
_Champion_ office that the mail steamer _Flintshire_ was
wrecked on the Great Barrier Beef three days ago (the 5th).
All the crew and passengers--200 in number-were saved, and
are now on their way to Townsville. [Further particulars
later.]"

"DREADFUL MASSACRE BY THE NOTORIOUS BLACK OUTLAWS.

"The Clonourry mail, which has been delayed by floods,
brings news o