“In the excitement of this new story,” said the managing editor, “I almost forgot to tell you how much I appreciate your fine work in getting the pictures of the fire at the oil tanks. I’ve never seen anything like them for action. They were so good we put out an extra with nothing but pictures on the front page. Biggest selling extra ever published in Atkinson.”
“They may prove fairly expensive by the time you pay the cost of a new coat of paint for the Good News,” said Tim.
“Hang the cost of the paint,” exclaimed the managing editor, “Those pictures were worth $500 to the paper. Why the one showing that piece of steel hurtling up out of the smoke and flame is the best action picture ever taken.”
“The what!” said Tim.
“The picture showing that piece of steel coming toward you,” repeated Carson.
“I’ll explain,” said Ralph, and he turned to Tim. “We had a lucky break,” he continued. “When that explosion caught us I had only one plate left in the camera. In the excitement I snapped the shutter and it so happened that the camera was aimed to get that steel plate that almost wrote 'finish’ for us.”
“We’ll be able to sell that picture all over the country,” said the managing editor, “And I’ll see that you boys get half of whatever the paper makes on it.”
Carl Hunter came out of the administration building to report that the weather in the direction of Cedar Valley was fair.
“Better get into some heavier clothes,” he warned, “For it will be pretty breezy up there if Tim decides to step on the gas.”
“Our winter flying outfits are all in town,” said Ralph. “Guess we can make it this way.”