“I don’t suppose it would do any good to ask the Judge again,” said Tim.
“Let me ask him,” begged Joan. “I’ll coax so hard.”
“Well, no harm for the kid to try, I guess.”
Joan started off to Plainfield’s weather-beaten city hall, and found Judge Hal in his office, with his hat on and a briefcase under his arm. He was fumbling on his desk, among the papers.
“I’m from the Journal,” she explained.
The judge looked at her. “New office girl?”
“Well, sort of....” she answered. After all, wasn’t she?
“Here, then,” he thrust some papers into her hand. “I’m glad you came. You look more reliable than that red-headed imp. Here’s the stuff the Journal wanted about that case.”
Joan took them. “But I wanted to ask you about Miss King’s picture? Couldn’t you let me have one? It’d be such a favor, and would help my brother so much. He’s the cub reporter.”
The judge stared. “Miss King’s picture?” he repeated, and he seemed cross. “Well, I should say not. You’re the second one that’s asked for that to-day. Some young upstart from the Star was bothering me about it, too. Miss King’s shy and retiring,” he interrupted, “and doesn’t like publicity.”