That is all I have to say to you, Mr. Brown." He pressed a button,
"Jonas, please show Mr. Brown out."
Jonas' black eyes snapped. "How come you think I'd soil my shadow
letting that viper trail it, boss? I never disobeyed you before, Mr.
Secretary, but that trash can show hisself out!" and Jonas withdrew to
his own office, while Brown, shrugging his shoulders, opened and closed
the door for himself.
Ames would have followed him, but Enoch said, "One moment, Ames! What
assurance are you going to give me that you will keep your mouth shut
as to what you've heard this afternoon?"
"I give you my word," began Ames, eagerly.
Enoch raised his hand. "Don't be silly, Ames. Do you know that I can
make serious legal trouble for you for your part in libelling me and
the Department?"
"But Brown said his lawyers--"
"Brown's lawyers? Do you think Brown's lawyers will fight for you now?"
"No, Mr. Secretary," muttered the reporter.
"Very well! Keep your mouth shut and you'll have no trouble from this,
but let me trace one syllable to you and I shall have no bowels of
compassion. One word more, Ames. You are clever or Brown would not
have used you as he did. Get a job on a clean paper. There is no
finer profession in the world than that of being a good newspaper man.
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