"Oh, well," said Alder, "I never pretended to give the exact words. I
warned him, and he did not heed the warning."

"You admit, then, that Miss Baxter's remembrance of the conversation is
correct?"

"It is practically correct. I do not 'stickle' about words."

"But you did stickle about words an hour ago," said Mr. Hempstead, with
some severity. "There is a difference in positively stating that the
item would be lost and in merely suggesting that it might be lost."

"Oh, have it as you wish," said Alder truculently. "It doesn't matter in
the least to me. It is very provoking to work hard for two weeks, and
then have everything nullified by a foolish decision from the editor.
However, as I have said, it doesn't matter to me. I have taken service
on the _Daily Trumpet_, and you may consider my place on the _Bugle_
vacant"--saying which, the irate Mr. Alder put his hat on his head and
left the room.

Mr. Hempstead seemed distressed by the discussion, but, for the first
time, Mr. Hardwick smiled grimly.

"I always insist on accuracy," he said, "and lack of it is one of
Alder's failings."

"Nevertheless, Mr. Hardwick, you have lost one of your best men. How are
you going to replace him?" inquired the proprietor anxiously.

"There is little difficulty in replacing even the best man on any staff