"Over the Pierce story?" asked Hal.
"Nothing else talked of. We were sold out before nine this morning."
"Selling papers is our line of business," observed the owner-editor.
"You won't think so when you hear Shad Shearson. He's an avalanche of woe, waiting to sweep down upon you."
"What's his trouble? The department store advertising?"
"The Boston Store advertising is gone. Others are threatening to follow. Pierce has called a meeting of the Publications Committee of the Dry Goods Union. Discipline is in the air, Boss. Have you seen the evening papers?"
"Yes."
"What did you think of their stories of the accident?"
"I seemed to notice a suspicious similarity."
"You can bet every one of those stories came straight from E.M. Pierce's own office. You'll see, they'll be the same in to-morrow morning's papers. Now that we've opened up, they all have to cover the news, so they've thoughtfully sent around to inquire what Elias M. would like to have printed."