Part 24 (1/2)
”Sure you wouldn't be after declining to answer a question or two--to be worked up into an interview, you know?”
”Really, I've nothing to tell You appear to know a good deal about ination can supply the rest”
”But there's a gap, lieutenant We can't account for you between Port Darwin and Honolulu”
”We're wasting tiood as to order up the petrol; then I'll give you a few headings”
McMurtrie was delighted He gave the order to a fir that the petrol should be sent out by motor at once Then he took Smith and Cleave into the luncheon-room, which they had to themselves, ordered a meal for Smith, and drinks for Cleave and hi, filled his note-book with jottings, which he foretold would sell out two editions of his paper like winking
Rodier, ine
To execute an order smartly is one of the first of business virtues
Smith was satisfied that the virtue was appreciated in Toronto: the petrol arrived, as McMurtrie assured him, in the shortest possible time Unluckily the Toronto --if it is a failing--curiosity McMurtrie, with S what the petrol anted for; his assistant, Daniels, had been too busy seeing the special edition to press to run about gossiping; and Davis, the shorthand-writer, the third in the secret, had beco stirred emotion within him; he wrote of murders, assassinations, political convulsions, Rooseveltian exploits, diplo but football matches, with the same pencil and the same cold, inhuman precision But it happened that one of the co office, who took a lively interest in the affairs of his fellowline about this verymen No sooner had he set up his portion of the editor's note than he begged leave of absence for half-an-hour from the overseer, whipped off his apron, and rushed off to des before the loser had time to spend them in the _Blue Lion_ on the way home from work They repaired, nevertheless, to the _Blue Lion_ to settle their account; they told the news to the barman, who passed it to the landlord; a publisher's clerk heard it, and repeated it to the er acquainted the head of the firm as he went out to tea; the publisher mentioned it in an off-hand way to the man next him at the cafe; and--to roll the sobll no further--half Toronto was in possession of the news before the _Sphere_ appeared on the streets
The result was a general exodus in the direction of the Scarborough Bluffs On foot, on bicycles, in cabs, motor-cars, trolley-cars, drays, and all kinds of vehicles, every one who had a tincture of sporting spirit set off to see two men and a structure of s, but representing a Deed and an Idea
Thus it happened that close behind the dray conveying the petrol ca announced it from afar
”'Tis the way of us in Toronto,” said McMurtrie soothingly, when Srounds, to the horror of the green-keepers, and rolled past the club-house to the aeroplane, where Rodier, having finished cleaning, was regaling himself with an excellent repast sent out to him by Mr McMurtrie Cheers for Lieutenant S to ply his knife and fork until a daring youth put his foot upon the aeroplane Then Rodier dropped knife and fork, and rushed like a cat at the intruder The Frenchiness of his language apprised the spectators that they were on the wrong scent, and they de Smith's dislike of deubriously to the edge of the cliff, when some one shouted ”Here he is!” and the mob flocked towards the club-house, froed Rodier seized the opportunity to finish his ht the petrol
Slish-speaking people since he had left London The earlyenthusiasm of the San Francisco journalists was hard to bear, but the afternoon enthusias felloanted to hoist him to their shoulders; dozens of opulent citizens perspired to carry hi ladies panted to kiss him; and a score of journalists buzzed about him, but upon them McMurtrie smiled with a look of conscious superiority Smith whispered to hi up his hand
”Silence! Hear, hear! S-s-sh!+ Don't make such a row!
Saot to say”
Thus the babel was roared down
”Ladies and gentlemen,” said McMurtrie; ”Mr Smith--”
”Three cheers for Se of the crowd the first notes of ”For he's a jolly good fellow”
were heard, and they sang it through twice, so that those who had s
”Ladies and gentleain, when he could make his voice heard, ”Mr Smith, who is rather hoarse froht air, asks me to thank you for the warive me full particulars of his wonderful journey, which you will find in the final edition of the _Sphere_ As I've no doubt at all that you are anxious to have the chance of seeing Mr S the evolutions which up to this time have been witnessed by next to nobody but the stars and the flying fishes, he has consented, at ive a demonstration, provided that you'll allow hihter”
This announcereeted with loud cheers The crowd fell back, allowing Smith a free course to the aeroplane
”Bedad,” said McMurtrie; ”I wouldn't wonder but they tear et safe home But I'll skip into aI can do for you before you go?”
”Only send two cables for me; one to my sister: here's the address; say si Lane, London, asking hiet?”