“He appeared neither pleased nor displeased. 'Have you arranged with the Guv'nor?' he asked me.”
“'I'm just waiting to see him again for a few minutes,' I returned. 'It'll be all right. Have you got the ticket?'”
“'Haven't seen it,' he replied.”
“'About a column?' I suggested.”
“'Three-quarters,' he preferred, and went.”
“The moment he was gone, I slipped downstairs and met a printer's boy coming up.”
“'What's the name of your sub?' I asked him. 'Tall man with a black moustache, looks tired.'”
“'Oh, you mean Penton,' explained the boy.”
“'That's the name,' I answered; 'couldn't think of it.'”
“I walked straight into the editor; he was still irritable. 'What is it? What is it now?' he snapped out.”