“How can I, if there has been no robbery?” asked Larry quickly.
“Well, er—even the rumor of a robbery might do it, and cause a run on the bank,” lamely explained the man who had begged Larry to keep quiet.
“I should be sorry to do that,” spoke the young reporter firmly, “but I am after this story, and I’m going to get it. If not from here, then from somewhere else. I would rather have you tell me,” he said, looking at the president, “as then the facts would be more complete and accurate. But I am going to get the story, anyhow. I know your bank has lost a million, and, sooner or later, the facts will come out. Why don’t you tell me?” he asked of Mr. Bentfield.
“I have no information for the press,” said the president coldly. “I believe that is all I can say to you. And I think my associates will agree with me.”
He looked around at the other men, all of whom nodded their heads gravely. Larry felt that he was “up against it,” as he had feared would be the case. But he was not done yet.
“Is that your last word?” he asked. “Remember the Leader has reliable information on this story, and remember, also, that it is bound to come out. It might better be given straight than to have it pieced out more or less inaccurately.”
“If you’ve got the story, why don’t you print it?” challenged a little man with a black moustache. “But I warn you, that if you make trouble for this bank your paper shall answer for it!”
“We don’t want to make trouble,” said Larry with a confident smile, “but we want the story, and we’re going to get it! We’ll take our medicine, too.”
“Impudent reporters!” muttered another director, and Larry smiled. He was used to this sort of treatment, and was, by this time, hardened to it.
“There is nothing further for you,” again said the president coldly. “And, as we are having a directors’ meeting, I shall have to ask you to leave, Mr. er—Mr. Leader.”