o you
mean to say you are going to play informer for a thousand dirty
dollars?"

"Why not? I'm the only man who saw it done. There are mighty few in
town who wouldn't do the same thing if they knew what I know. Besides,
the fellow who did it darned-well deserves all that he gets. I've no
love for him, and I need the money. Good-bye, Philly! I'll see you
anon."

He went downstairs, opened the front door cautiously and, finding few
people about, he hurried along the block and down the back lanes to
the rear of _The Advertiser_ building. He sneaked unseen into Ben
Todd's private office. There was no one inside. Ben, evidently, was in
the basement in the printing shop.

The editor's desk was littered as usual with newspapers, scribbled
scraps of paper, cuttings, paste-pots and such paraphernalia of the
making of a country newspaper.

Jim closed the door, sat down in Todd's chair and took up the
telephone receiver. He called for DeRue Hannington and got him without
difficulty.

"Hullo!--is that Mr. Hannington?"

"Mr. DeRue Hannington speaking."

"Are you busy?"

"Not too much so! Who is they-ah?"

"Could you come down to _The Advertiser_ office right away--Mr. Todd's
place--something important in regard to what you are so worked up
over?"

"Why, yes,--certainly! Of course, I can come."

"Be here in ten minutes."

"Yes! Who is calling?"

"Never mind! Come and see, and come quick!"

And Jim rang off.

In two or three minutes Ben Todd, the editor, came in, long of legs
and hunched of back, trailing his arms like an ape, his handsome
bearded face lit up in pleasantness and his keen brown eyes searching
Jim curiously.

"Hello, Jim! Glad to see you! The boys must have miscued. I heard you
had fallen off the water wagon."

"And can't a fellow climb back again as easily as he fell off?"

"Some can, but you generally take your own sweet time, my Wayward Boy.
Still, I'm glad to see you. What brought you in?"

Jim swung round in the chair. "I want you to act as umpire for me in a
little matter. Are you willing?"

"Of course I am! What is it?"

"Why,--here comes the other fellow," said Jim, as the handle of the
door turned and the gaudy, resplendent and immaculate Percival
strutted in, bringing with him an odour of pomade and scented soap.

Ben Todd looked over in surprise.

"Aw,--good day, gentlemen! Someone 'phoned me beastly hurriedly."

"Sit down, Mr. Hannington--Mr. DeRue Hannington," invited Ben.