mean, Imp?" asked Cairns, addressing the boy by the name he
had especially devised for him.

"The compositors. To-night they're going out to stop both papers."

"Tim O'Neill, you are a perfect mine of information. Providence was
determined to bless 'The Mercury' when it sent us Tim O'Neill. Just run
away now and ask Mr. Quirk if I can see him."

Denis Quirk was at once a diplomatic and a determined man. On hearing
the newest development, he hurried away to interview the prospective
strikers.

"Lay your grievances before me," he said. "If I can put them right with
justice to the proprietors of this paper, it shall be done."

It was the usual story--higher wages and shorter hours, a larger staff,
better paid, with less work to do individually. Denis Quirk offered a
compromise, but this was refused. After half an hour's discussion, he
suddenly broke out into a white heat of anger.

"Do you fancy I can't do without you?" he cried.

The men replied with a burst of ironical laughter.

"I began life as a compositor, and I have not forgotten my trade," he
said. "You can go, every one of you that wants more. But 'The Mercury'
will appear to-morrow, take my tip for that."

Sullenly the men withdrew, to hang about outside the office, watching to
see who would take their places. But no one came from outside, while in
the printing room all was bustle.

"Now, throw off your coats," cried Denis Quirk, "every one of you. You
too, Cairns, and do what I tell you. You, Tim O'Neill, take this
telegram to the post office. We will have a new staff to-morrow, and men
I can rely upon."

In this way "The Mercury" was printed under the greatest difficulties,
but the rival newspaper failed to appear. Ebenezer Brown was stubborn,
and when his editor brought him the news of the threatened strike he
refused to concede anything.

"Not one penny more, and not one second less, will they get from me. Let
them strike," he growled.

"But you must come to terms," said the editor. "You can't afford to miss
one issue of 'The Observer.'"

"I am paying fair wages, and they may fish for a rise," replied Ebenezer
Brown.

The following day, like its rival, "The Observer" was manned again and
working smoothly, but its prestige was hopelessly impaired.
Thenceforward "The Mercury" advanced daily at the expense of the older
paper, until, six weeks after the beginning of the campaign, Ebenezer
Brown went to Denis Quirk to effect a compromise.

Den