Here he was obliged to proceed to the city room--risky business.
A queer advertisement coming into the city room late at night was always pried into, as he knew from experience.

Still, he felt that he ought not to miss any chance to reach Karlov.
He explained his business to the sleepy gate boy, who carried the advertisement and the cash to the night city editor's desk.

Ordinarily the night city editor would have returned the advertisement with the crisp information that he had no authority to accept advertisements.

But the "drums of jeopardy" caught his attention; and he sent a keen glance across the busy room to the rail where Cutty stood, perhaps conspicuously.
"Humph!" He called to one of the reporters.

"This looks like a story.
I'll run it.