t custom by instantly
vanishing toward the Scriptorium. Instead he stuck fast in the sanctum,
not pretending to look at an encyclopedia or out of the window as
another man might have done, but standing rigid on the other side of the
table, gaze glued upon the perusing Colonel. Presently the old editor
looked up.

"Did you write this?"

"Yes. Why not?"

"It's about as much like your usual style as my style is like Henry
James's."

"You don't consider it a good editorial, then?"

"You have not necessarily drawn the correct inference from my remark. I
consider it an excellent editorial. In fact--I shall make it my leader
to-morrow morning. But that has nothing to do with how you happen to be
using a style exactly the reverse of your own."

Queed had heaved a great sigh. The article occupied three pages of
copy-paper in a close handwriting, and represented sixteen hours' work.
Its author had rewritten it eleven times, incessantly referring to his
text-book, the files of the _Post_, and subjecting each phrase to the
most gruelling examination before finally admitting it to the perfect
structure. However, it seemed no use to bore one's employer with details
such as these.

"I have been doing a little studying of late--"

"Under excellent masters, it seems. Now this phrase, 'the ultimate
reproach and the final infamy"--the Colonel unconsciously smacked his
lips over it--"why, sir, it sounds like one of my own."

Queed started.

"If you must know, it is one of your own. You used it on October 26,
1900, during, as you will recall, the closing days of the presidential
campaign."

The Colonel stared at him, bewildered.

"I decided to learn editorial-writing--as the term is understood," Queed
reluctantly explained. "Therefore, I have been sitting up till two
o'clock in the mornings, studying the files of the _Post_, to see
exactly how you did it."

The Colonel's gaze gradually softened. "You might have been worse
employed; I compliment and congratulate you," said he; and then added:
"Whether you have really caught the idea and mastered the technique or
not, it is too soon to say. But I'll say frankly that this article is
worth more to me than everything else that you've written for the
_Post_ put together."

"I am--ahem--gratified that you are pleased with it."

The Colonel, whose glance had gone out of the window, swung around in
his chair and smote the table a testy blow.

"For the Lord's sake," he exploded