“Not counting the London Times?” suggested Bob as the editor paused.
“Not counting the London Times!” repeated the great journalist slowly and significantly. “And to-night I have decided that we can do this with the assistance of the Airship Boys and the Ocean Flyer.” The speaker now showed his first enthusiasm. As he gripped the arms of his chair he continued with precision. “I want the Ocean Flyer to leave London at two o’clock on Coronation Day, June 22, and bring to the Herald office in New York the best writers covering the coronation and the photograph films made of the royal procession and such other pictures of the actual coronation as our photographers may secure. I want these men and pictures delivered at the Herald office or its vicinity by two o’clock the next morning. If you can and will do this you may name your own price.”
It would have been difficult to tell on whom this astounding proposition fell with the greatest surprise: the Airship Boys or Mr. Latimer, the night city editor. The latter’s immediate wonder seemed to turn almost at once into an envious admiration for the man who could conceive such a bewildering idea. In this, he was apparently joined by Bob Russell upon whose face there was a frank look of exhilarating amazement. Alan, elated but puzzled, turned slowly to Ned. The latter gazed at the author of the daring conception as if partly hypnotized.
“That is the reason I killed to-night’s story,” continued the editor in a low voice. “I could not take the chance that another newspaper might attempt to do the same thing. Only those in this room know what is possible. We can make this effort in secret. What you planned to do you will do. What I propose will only add to the glory of your success.”
“It is not easy to give you an answer,” almost whispered Ned at last as he wetted his lips. “It upsets all our plans and we have had no time to consider it.”
“Do you want time for that?”
“It’s a tremendous thing to decide in a few minutes.”
“Is it the amount of compensation?” asked the elder man.
“I think that will not decide us.”
“What is it that makes you hesitate?”