The editor told him all he had been able to gather regarding the matter of the fire-extinguishers, and as he talked Eliph' saw the butcher leave his shop and enter the drug store—he was after chemicals. He turned to the editor with fresh assurance.
“See page 88, 'Every Man his Own Lawyer,'” he said, “giving all that it is necessary for any man to know regarding the laws of his native land, including laws of business, how to draw up legal papers, what constitutes libel, et cetery. This one division alone being worth the whole cost of the book, showing among other things what a paper should print and what it should not. Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art is a marvelous work, including as it does the chapter on 'Fire—Its Traditions—How to Make a Fire Without Matches—Fire Fighting—Fire Extinguishers, How Made,' et cetery, containing directions by which man, woman or butcher can convert lung-testers into approved fire-extinguishers at a cost of only twenty-six cents. It is a good book. I just sold Mr. Skinner one.”
He watched the editor's face as the meaning of his words dawned on it, and added:
“Miss Briggs has a copy, morocco binding, including among ten thousand and one subjects 'What Constitutes Libel.'”
“Then those fire-extinguishers will be all right, after all?” said the editor. “You want to look out how you trifle with the press. The press never forgives nor forgets.”
“Those lung-testers, prepared according to Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art, would put out the flames of the fiery furnace prepared for Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, mentioned in 'Bible Tales,' Condensed and Put into Words of One Syllable for Children,' page 569, Jarby's Encyclopedia,” said Eliph' airily. “They would satisfy an investigation committee of imps, or other experts.”
The editor thought for a minute and Eliph' looked at him and smiled, gently combing his whiskers with his fingers.
“That's all right,” said the editor. “That lets Miss Sally out, and it may satisfy Skinner, but it don't do away with the bribery. Mayor Stitz was bribed and he admits it. He says he was, and he brags about it. Guthrie bribed him, and I've got enough left to give Stitz and Guthrie a good shot. I'll leave Skinner and Miss Briggs out, but I'll go for Stitz and Guthrie. I'll show them that in Kilo the press is alert, wide awake, and not to be trifled with. I'll teach them a lesson.”
“So do!” said Eliph'. “And make Miss Sally mad. And make Mrs. Smith mad. And make Miss Susan mad. And me. So do, and have Tolle tell them that he did not want you to print it, and that he went up and fought you to get you not to print it. So do, and instead of having Miss Sally and Mrs. Smith and me your friends, have us run you down to Susan. Instead of having hit Toole by printing the thing sooner than he wanted, as you did, print more, and do him a favor. Make him a favorite of Miss Sally's. So do, if you want to. Or—have me go to Miss Susan and say you will not relent but that there is one chance—that she shall plead with you herself.”
He stepped back and looked at the hesitating Jones.