I want, if possible, to publish this information with absolute accuracy." "Is there any danger, Mr.Hardwick, that some of the other papers may get on the track of this ?" "No, I don't think so; not for three days, anyway.

If we appear too eager, this man Hazel may refuse us altogether." "Very good, sir." Miss Baxter heard the editor stop in his walk, and she heard the rustling of paper, as if the subordinate were gathering up some documents on which he had been consulting his chief.

She was panic-stricken to think that either of the men might come out and find her in the position of an eavesdropper, so with great quietness she opened the door and slipped out into the hall, going from there to the entrance of the ordinary waiting-room, in which she found, not the twelve men that the porter had expatiated upon, but five.

Evidently the other seven had existed only in the porter's imagination, or had become tired of waiting and had withdrawn.

The five looked up at her as she entered and sat down on a chair near the door.