Accordingly the city editor was summoned and duly presented to Miss Elliot. But when she put the question to him, he looked uncomfortable. Like a good city editor, however, he defended his subordinate.
"It isn't the society reporter's fault," he said. "He knows those people don't belong."
"How do they get in there, then?" asked Hal.
"Mr. Shearson's orders."
"Is Mr. Shearson the society editor?" asked Esmé.
"No. He's the advertising manager."
"Forgive my stupidity, but what has the advertising manager to do with social news?"
"A big heap lot," explained Wayne. "It's the most important feature of the paper to him. Wolf Tone Maher is general manager of the Bee Hive Department Store. We get all their advertising, and when Mrs. Maher wants to see her name along with the 'swells,' as she would say, Mr. Shearson is glad to oblige. B. Kirschofer is senior partner in the firm of Kirschofer & Kraus, of the Bargain Emporium. Miss Sproule is the daughter of Alexander Sproule, proprietor of the Agony Parlors, three floors up."
"Agony Parlors?" queried the visitor.
"Painless dentistry," explained Wayne. "Mr. Shearson handles all that matter and sends it down to us."