thin two blocks of our
place."

"Speaking of anarchy," said McGuire Ellis softly.

"A prejudiced witness; one of your own employees," pointed out the
lawyer.

"I wouldn't believe him under oath," said Pierce.

"Perhaps you wouldn't believe me, either. I saw the whole thing myself,"
said Hal quietly.

"And you intend to print it?" demanded Pierce.

"It's news. The 'Clarion's' business is to print the news."

"Then there remains only to warn you," said Douglas, "that you will be
held to full liability for anything you may publish, civil _and_
criminal."

"Take that down, Mr. Denton," said Hal.

"I've got it," said the reporter.

"That isn't all." Elias M. Pierce rose and his eyes were wells of somber
fury. "You print that story--one word of it--and I'll smash your paper."

"Take that down, Mr. Denton." Hal's voice was even.

"I've got it," said Denton in the same tone.

"You don't know what I am in this city." Every word of the great man's
voice rang with the ruthless arrogance of his power. "I can make or mar
any man or any business. I've fought the demagogues of labor and driven
'em out of town. I've fought the demagogues of politics and killed them
off. And you think with your little spewing demagoguery of newspaper
filth, you can override me? You think because you've got your father's
quack millions behind you, that you can stand up to me?"

"Take that down, Mr. Denton."

"I've got it."

"Then take this, too," cried Elias M. Pierce, losing all control, under
the quiet remorselessness of this goading: "people like my daughter and
me aren't at the mercy of scum like you. We've got rights that aren't
responsible to every little petty law. By God, I've made and unmade
judges in this town: and I'll show you what the law can do before I'm
through with you. I'll gut your damned paper."

"Not missing anything, are you, Mr. Denton?"

"I've got it all."

Throughout, Douglas, with a strained face, had been plucking at his
principal's arm. Now Elias M. Pierce turned to him.

"Go to Judge Ransome," he said sharply, "and get an injunction against
the 'Clarion.'"

McGuire Ellis sauntered over. "I wouldn't," he drawled.

"I'm not asking your advice."

"And I'm not looking for gratitude. But just let me suggest this:
Ransome may be one of the judges you brag of owning. But if he grants an
injunction I'll advise Mr. Surtaine to publish a spread on the front
page, stating that we have the facts, that we're