"
"I shall make nearer sixty than fifty this year."
"At the expense of a possible loss to the paper. Come, Mr. Banneker; the
fairness of my offer is evident. A generous guarantee, and a brilliant
chance of future profits."
"_And_ a free hand with my editorials?"
"Surely that will arrange itself."
"Precisely what I fear." Banneker had been making some swift
calculations on his desk-blotter. Now he took up a blue pencil and with
a gesture, significant and not without dramatic effect, struck it down
through the reckoning. "No, Mr. Marrineal. It isn't good enough. I hold
to the old status. When our contract is out--"
"Just a moment, Mr. Banneker. Isn't there a French proverb, something
about no man being as indispensable as he thinks?" Marrineal's voice was
never more suave and friendly. "Before you make any final decision, look
these over." He produced from his pocket half a dozen of what appeared
to be Patriot editorial clippings.
The editor of The Patriot glanced rapidly through them. A puzzled frown
appeared on his face.
"When did I write these?"
"You didn't."
"Who did?"
"I"
"They're dam' good."
"Aren't they!"
"Also, they're dam' thievery."
"Doubtless you mean flattery. In its sincerest form.
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