rlight' to testify."

"That's not much evidence."

"In town I could take you to my bankers, but to-night it's impossible.
Martin, you've _got_ to believe me! Hear what those two men have to
say!"

The journalist considered the matter in sober silence.

"An advertisement like this is sheer libel," he answered presently.
"Larssen could rook you for goodness knows what damages if you got it
published."

"I know. That goes."

"But my owners wouldn't stand for the damages. They'd be equally liable,
you know."

"I'll guarantee them up to my last shilling. Get your editor on the
trunk wire, and find out how much guarantee he'll want me to put up."

Martin looked at him half in admiration and half in doubtfulness.

"It would be a tremendous risk for me to take!"

Matheson looked him square in the eye.

"If you want a scoop that will make your career," he answered slowly,
"it's here. Waiting for you to pick it up. I promised you first call on
my news--here it is. Have you the pluck to take your opportunity?"

"Exclusive?" asked Martin, the magic word "scoop" setting him aflame.

"Exclusive," agreed Matheson.

"You'll prove to me that you're Clifford Matheson right enough?"

"Within half an hour. And give you a full interview, explaining my
reasons for the announcement."

"Well, I'm on!"

Martin had a well-deserved newspaper reputation for accuracy and good
judgment. On his urgent recommendation, therefore, the managing editor
of the _Daily Truth_ consented to run Clifford Matheson's full-page
advertisement and to insert the interview, contingent on his depositing
with Martin a cheque for L250,000 to indemnify the paper against a
possible libel action on the part of Lars Larssen.

Matheson also prepared letters to Sir Francis Letchmere, Lord St Aubyn,
and Carleton-Wingate, giving a statement of his reasons for the
announcement in the _Daily Truth_ of the next morning, and asking them
to send telegrams to all those who had made applications for shares. The
telegram to be sent out was worded:--

"I strongly advise all investors to cancel by wire their applications
for shares in Hudson Bay Transport. See explanation in Daily Truth of
May 3rd.--Clifford Matheson."

Martin, who was leaving for London by a midnight train, took charge of
the three letters and promised to have them safely delivered to the
three Directors of the company early in the morning.

* * * * *

Two days