The managing editor thought a moment, in which interval of silence he relit his cigar and then nodded an approval.
“That’s all,” answered the night city editor to the operator, “no message now.” And he replaced the receiver. Mr. Latimer’s attitude seemed to indicate that he knew something important was about to happen. Buck, himself—only temporarily relieved that the storm had not yet broken on him—also cudgeled his brain to account for his interrogation.
“You’ve stopped the story?” continued the managing editor at last.
“Yes, sir,” answered Mr. Latimer ruefully, “although most of it is in type. It was a beat.”
“I understand,” said the editor instantly and in a consoling tone. “Perhaps we can get a bigger beat.” He began tearing another bit of paper. Then throwing the pieces suddenly from him, he sat upright, grasped the arms of his chair and said to Latimer:
“I must see these boys to-night—at once if possible. Can you bring them to me? To this office?”
“Certainly,” replied the night city editor without a falter or a doubt in his voice. “I’ll go myself.”
Without a question Mr. Latimer hastened doorward. Stewart arose to follow him. The managing editor waved Buck to his seat again.
“I want you to tell me the story you wrote to-night: all you know about this new airship.”
Buck now made up his mind that, whatever might be the meaning of the managing editor’s sudden interest in his aeroplane story, it was not directed toward him personally either in the way of commendation or criticism. Something had developed the possibility of a bigger “beat,” the manager had suggested. As the reporter received the order to tell the whole story he reseated himself. He also had a new thought: “This means something good,” he said to himself, “and while I’m talking I’m not goin’ to forget Buck Stewart. If something is to come out of this I want to be in on it.”
Before he could begin his story his chief executive resumed, suddenly:
“No,” replied the reporter. “I was totin’ lumber in the yards—”
“You are from the south?” interrupted his listener.
“How long have you been with the _Herald_?”
“I worked on the Paducah _News-Democrat_ until I had money enough to get to New York. Then I came here and asked for work. They put me on.”