With plain reluctance Jones went about the affair. Norton put a dozen perfunctory questions to the girl. What he was in search of was not news but the sound of her voice. In that quarter of an hour he felt his heart disturbed as it had never before been disturbed.
"Now, Mr. Norton," said Jones gloomily, "will you be so kind as to follow me?"
Norton was led to Jones' bedroom. The butler-valet closed the door and drew the window shade. Always seeking shadows. This did not impress the reporter at the time; he had no other thought but the story. Jones then sat down beside the reporter and talked in an undertone. When he had done he took Norton by the elbow and gently but forcibly led him down to the front door and ushered him forth. Norton jumped into his taxicab and returned to his rooms, which were at the top of the huge apartment hotel. He immediately called up his managing editor.
"Hello! This is Norton. Put Griffin on the Hargreave yarn. I'm off on another deal."
"But Hargreave was a friend of yours," protested the managing editor.
"I know it. But you know me well enough, Mr. Blair. I should not ask the transfer if it was not vitally important."
"Oh, very well."
"We shan't be scooped."
"If you can promise that, I don't care who works on the job. Will you be in the office to-night?"
"If nothing prevents me."