That gentleman breathed a small cloud of blue vapor into the air together with the dispassionate query: “Is that so? Hadn’t heard of it.”
“My principle in business is to determine whether I want a man or an article, and then bid a price that can’t be rejected.”
“Sound,” admitted the veteran. “Perfectly sound. But I’m not specially in need of money.”
“I’m offering you opportunity.”
“What kind?”
“Opportunity to handle big stories according to the facts as you see them. Not as you had to handle the Sippiac strike story.”
Edmonds set down his pipe. “What did you think of that?”
“A masterpiece of hinting and suggestion and information for those who can read between the lines. Not many have the eye for it. With me you won’t have to write between the lines. Not on labor or political questions, anyway. You’re a Socialist, aren’t you?”
“Yes. You’re not going to make The Patriot a Socialist paper, are you?”
“Some people might call it that. I’m going to make it a popular paper. It’s going to be for the many against the few. How are you going to bring about Socialism?”