“I am here instead of him. Mr. Alder is on other business that he had to attend to at the editor’s request. Now, Mr. Hardwick—that’s the editor, you know——”
“Yes, I know,” answered Hazel.
They were by this time seated in the front parlour.
“Well, Mr. Hardwick is very anxious that the figures should be given with absolute accuracy.”
“Of course, that would be much better,” cried the man; “but, you see, I have gone thoroughly into the question with Mr. Alder already. He said he would mention what I told him to the editor—put my position before him, in fact.”
“Oh, he has done so,” said Miss Baxter, “and did it very effectively indeed; in fact, your reasons are quite unanswerable. You fear, of course, that you will lose your situation, and that is very important, and no one in the Bugle office wishes you to suffer for what you have done. Of course, it is all in the public interest.”
“Of course, of course,” murmured Hazel, looking down on the table.
“Well, have you all the documents ready, so that they can be published at any time?”
“Quite ready,” answered the man.
“Very well,” said the girl, with decision; “here are your fifty pounds. Just count the money, and see that it is correct. I took the envelope as it was handed to me, and have not examined the amount myself.”