The Pretender

"Yes, on one condition."

"Hum! Condition! What?" he demanded anxiously.

"Well," I said. "I believe one good turn deserves another. Now I was down at the bank this morning, and I know you're in rather a hole about that renewal. Backers for thousand dollar notes aren't picked up so easily. However, I'm willing to go on it if you'll"--here I paused deliberately, "give my last book a good write up in your next Compass causerie."

His face fell. "I'm afraid--you see, I've promised Vaine--"

"Oh, hang Vaine! Sidetrack him."

"But--there's the policy of the paper--"

"Oh, well, I'll buy a controlling interest, and alter your policy. But, as a matter of fact, you know they'll print anything over your name."

"Yes--well, there are my own standards, the ideals I have fought for--"

"Rot! Look here, Quince, let's be honest. We're both in the writing game for what we can