“Well, what is it going to be to-day, Larry?” asked Mr. Potter, as the young reporter entered. “Do you want something about the bulls and the bears playing havoc with the market?”
“It’s something more important than that, Mr. Potter.”
“More important?” Something in the reporter’s face made the millionaire guess that the lad was on the trail of a big story. “What is it, Larry?”
Our hero came close to the desk of his rich friend, and, in a voice that was almost a whisper, he said:
“Mr. Potter, the Consolidated National Bank has been robbed of a million dollars. They are keeping the matter quiet, though a private detective agency is working on the case. I went there and asked for the story. I was turned down, and so I come to you. You’re a big depositor there, aren’t you?”
“I am, Larry. But, Great Scott! A robbery of a million! You must be mistaken. Such a thing could not happen. A million dollars!”
“That’s right,” said the lad. “I got it from my city editor, on good authority. Now look here, Mr. Potter, I want that story. I want to get it exclusively. The bank people know the facts, but they won’t talk. If they’ve lost a million it’s the right of the public to know it. Maybe the depositors unknowingly are keeping on putting money in a bank which is on the verge of failure. It isn’t right! The story ought to come out. You’re a big depositor. If you go to the president and demand the facts he’ll have to tell them to you. Then you can tell me, and I’ll have my scoop. See?”
“I do, Larry. But, Great Scott! A million gone! And they’re keeping it quiet! Why, I made a big deposit there, only yesterday!”
He thought deeply for a moment, and Larry watched him closely. Would the millionaire aid him to get the story?
“A million gone!” said Mr. Potter, half to himself. “I had a right to know that, and, by Jove, I will know it. I’ll call up Bentfield, and demand to know why he’s keeping this quiet. I’ll get him on the wire!”