Imitation."
"Perfect. I could believe I'd written them myself."
"Yes; I've been a very careful student of The Patriot's editorial
style."
"The Patriot's! Mine!"
"Surely not. You would hardly contend seriously that, having paid the
longest price on record for the editorials, The Patriot has not a vested
right in them and their style."
"I see," said Banneker thoughtfully. Inwardly he cursed himself for the
worst kind of a fool; the fool who underestimates the caliber of his
opponent.
"Would you say," continued the smooth voice of the other, "that these
might be mistaken for your work?"
"Nobody would know the difference. It's robbery of the rankest kind. But
it's infernally clever."
"I'm not going to quarrel with you over a definition, Mr. Banneker,"
said Marrineal. He leaned a little forward with a smile so frank and
friendly that it quite astonished the other. "And I'm not going to let
you go, either," he pursued. "You need me and I need you. I'm not fool
enough to suppose that the imitation can ever continue to be as good as
the real thing. We'll make it a fifty thousand guarantee, if you say so.
And, as for your editorial policy--well, I'll take a chance on your
seeing reason. After all, there's plenty of earth to prance on without
always treading on people's toes.
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