Without much hope, they developed the last roll. Almost as soon as it was dipped into the developer fluid, the set of six pictures began to appear.
“Boy!” Wells breathed. “Maybe we’ll get something after all!”
Carefully, they removed the shining strip from the tank. For a moment neither of the photographers spoke. Then Wells laughed aloud, so great was his relief.
“Beauties!” he exclaimed. “Six of them!”
While his friend finished the pictures, Flash hurried to the newsroom to report the good fortune to Riley. The editor bade him tell the entire story of how the films had been obtained. And a little later, when he saw the pictures for himself, he declared that six hundred dollars had not been too much to pay.
“Buy yourself a new suit of clothes at the Ledger’s expense, Evans,” he said heartily. “And you may find a little extra tucked in your pay check at the end of the week.”
“Thank you,” said Flash, flushing with pleasure.
“You’ve earned it this time,” replied Riley, and his inference was plain. “Just keep up the good work.”
Back in the photographic department, Flash received the congratulations of the other photographers. Only Orris seemed to resent the fact that he had been given a raise.
Later, after the extra was out, and the Ledger had scored its sensational scoop, Flash was examining a set of old films, when Joe Wells touched his shoulder.