"Sure do I!"
"Mr. McQuiggan," remarked Ellis, "has probably been reading our able editorial on the reformed and chastened policy of the 'Clarion.'"
Hal turned an angry red. "That doesn't commit us to accepting swindles."
"Don't it?" queried McQuiggan. "Since when did you get so pick-an'-choosy?"
"Straight advertising," announced Dr. Surtaine, "has been the unvarying policy of this paper since my son took it over."
"Straight!" vociferated McQuiggan. "Straight? Ladies and gents: the well-known Surtaine Family will now put on their screamin' farce entitled 'Honesty is the Best Policy.'"
"When you're through playing the clown—" began Hal.
"Straight advertising," pursued the other. "Did I really hear them sweet words in Andy Certain's voice? No! Say, somebody ring an alarm-clock on me. I can't wake up."
"I think we've heard enough from you, McQuiggan," warned Hal.
"Do you!" The promoter sprang from his chair and all the latent venom of his temper fumed and stung in the words he poured out. "Well, take another think. I've got some things to tell you, young feller. Don't you come the high-and-holy on me. You and your smooth, big, phony stuffed-shirt of a father."