own, and I write as an employment and a pleasure."

"If you come to me you will have to accept a salary, much as it may pain
you. You will be a servant, and do exactly as I ask. Are you prepared
for that?" said the manager.

"Naturally! Why would I be here if I were not prepared for that?"

"Very well, then. You will begin at L4 a week, to be increased if you
suit us; if you don't suit, out you go. When are you prepared to begin?"

"To-day, if you like."

"To-morrow you can go to Melton and report the meeting. See that you are
spicy; we expect spice on this paper."

"Trafalgar's" first report did not satisfy the manager.

"See here, Mr. Gerard," he said, entering the outer office, where
"Trafalgar" was already fraternising with Desmond O'Connor, "'The
Mercury' is out to put down fraud and hypocrisy wherever it is to be
found. I sent you to Melton to draw public attention to irregularities.
Why did Caprice run last in the Melton Cup?"

"Not quite fit," replied the sporting editor glibly. "I was talking to
Carter----."

"Talking to her trainer and asking his opinion! That's not what we want
here. Last week Caprice started at 6 to 4 on and won the Welter Handicap
at Balnogan; yesterday she was quoted at 5 to 1, and ran last in the
Melton Cup. Sit down and mention those two facts together, leaving the
readers to draw their own deductions, as I do."

"Are you looking for libel actions?" asked "Trafalgar," innocently.

"Not looking for them, but quite prepared for them in a just cause. Did
you read my speech last night?"

"I have not found time," stammered the sporting editor, while Desmond
O'Connor sat listening with a broad smile on his face.

"Oblige me by reading it. It represents my policy, and the policy of
this paper. We call a spade a spade on 'The Mercury.' Just read that
speech, and then sit down and write about Caprice. You can mention the
running of Bailiff in the Hurdles at the same time. If the stewards
won't do their duty, 'The Mercury' will point it out to them."

In this manner was Gerard introduced to the policy of Denis Quirk and
his paper. He was, however, a smart man, quite capable of grasping a
situation when it was demonstrated to him. In a few weeks' time the
clever division began to read the accounts of their acts of brigandage
with fear and trembling; obsequious stewards became more alert, and less
timid in dealing with glaring acts of fraud, while threats were openly
indulged in, and