“All right, Mr. Ricker, I have no kick coming. I will break another one of my rules and ask what the assignment is before I have been notified of it.”
“It is an important mission, my son, and the selection of the man to fill the place does not come within my department. But as a good man was needed I urged the desirability of putting you on the job.”
“You are very kind,” murmurs Ashley.
“I intended to communicate to you his wishes to-night,” resumes Ricker. “In fact, I received the assignment for you an hour ago and you would have found it in your box in the morning.” The city editor tosses over a yellow envelope and Ashley finds therein the brief notification:
“Beginning March 18, Mr. Ashley will enter upon the duties as war correspondent at Santiago de Cuba.”
Ashley looks up and catches the indulgent smile of his chief.
“Ricker, you’re a jewel,” he says, warmly, extending his hand. The friendship between the two men has long since leveled the wall of official dignity.
“I had no idea you wanted the job,” smiles the city editor.
“Until to-day I had no desire to visit Cuba,” replies Ashley. “But at present I want to go the worst way—or the best way. And my wish to reach Cuban soil is not greatly influenced by personal reasons, either. I expect some day to turn over to you a story that will cover a good share of the first page and just now the trail is winding under the flags of three nations—Spain, Cuba and the United States. But why Santiago, instead of Havana?”
“For the reason that, as you may see by a look over to-night’s telegrams, the eastern province of Cuba is likely to be the principal theater of the struggle for independence. You know the sort of stuff we want. Statements of fact, above all. You may have some difficulty in getting us the facts by wire, as the government controls the cables; but there are the mails, and in addition to the usual grind you might send a two or three column chatty letter every fortnight or so that would be interesting reading. Spend all the money that is necessary. Get right out into the fighting; there isn’t one chance in a million of your being hurt. Above all, send us facts. We cannot pay too much for facts.”