nstead of a weekly. I think we
could just about get out two issues of the paper in a year."

Barrifield assured him that they were doing beautifully, and that
matters would go like clockwork when once they got started. For himself,
he declared that he was getting along swimmingly, and displayed a number
of more or less impossible premiums which he had pursued by mysterious
and exciting methods to that guarded and hidden chamber which he still
referred to in hushed tones as the "inside." He had also made a
discovery in the way of an advertising man whom he described as being
the very man for the place--in fact, a jewel!

"Recommended by Jackson, of the Jackson & Marsh Advertising Agency," he
announced triumphantly, "and by Rushly, of the 'Home Monthly'--been with
them two years and had the benefit of Rushly's training. Says
Bates--that's his name--is a great hustler."

"Why doesn't he stay with the 'Home,' then?" Perner spoke rather
impatiently.

"No chance of advancement. Rushly is head man there and certain to stay.
Bates wants to begin with a new paper that is sure to go. I was talking
to Jackson to-day about what we were going to do and he mentioned Bates.
Jackson, by the way, thinks our scheme great. He'd take stock in it in a
minute if we'd let him."

"Did he say so?"

"No; of course he couldn't do that, but I could tell by the way he
talked. There'll be no trouble, though, about getting all the time of
him we want on our advertising."

"Did he say that?"

"No; I didn't ask him. But he was as friendly as _could_ be, and gave me
a lot of good advice about advertising and advertisers. He said we ought
to have a man like Bates, and then put those matters entirely into his
hands. I gathered from him that there was a sort of an inside circle
that worked together, and that unless a man was in it he didn't have
much show."

"Bates is in the ring, of course."

"Of course! And in addition to securing advertising contracts for us, he
can place our ads too. Jackson said he would do better for Bates on a
cash discount than he would for anybody."

"But I thought we were going to get credit?"

"Of course, until the advertising is out. That's cash, you know, and
when it's out we'll have money coming right in to pay for it. That's the
way Frisby did."

"Did you mention that to him?"

"Why, no; but--well you know I look prosperous. That's what Frisby did,
too, and he didn't have a dollar. Jackson said Bates could