Through the agency of Russell Edmonds, McClintick, the labor leader, came to see Banneker.  He was a stooping giant with a deep, melancholy voice, and his attitude toward The Patriot was one of distrustful reticence.  Genuine ardor has, however, a warming influence.  McClintick’s silence melted by degrees, not into confidence but, surprisingly, into indignation, directed upon all the “capitalistic press” in general, but in particular against The Patriot.  Why single out The Patriot, specially, Banneker asked.

“Hypocrite,” muttered the giant.

At length the reason came out, under pressure:  The Patriot had been (in the words of the labor man) making a big row over the arrest of certain labor organizers, in one of the recurrent outbreaks against the Steel Trust, opposed by that organization’s systematic and tyrannous method of oppression.  So far, so good.  But why hadn’t the paper said a word about the murder of strikers’ wives and children out at the Veridian Lumber Company’s mills in Oregon; an outrage far surpassing anything ever laid to the account of the Steel Trust?  Simple reason, answered Banneker; there had been no news of it over the wires.  No; of course there hadn’t.  The Amalgamated Wire Association (another tool of capitalism) had suppressed it; wouldn’t let any strike stuff get on the wires that it could keep off.  Then how, asked Banneker, could it be expected—?  McClintick interrupted in his voice of controlled passion; had Mr. Banneker ever heard of the Chicago Transcript (naming the leading morning paper); had he ever read it?  Well, The Transcript—­which, he, McClintick, hated strongly as an organ of money—­nevertheless did honestly gather and publish news, as he was constrained huskily to admit.  It had the Veridian story; was still running it from time to time.  Therefore, if Mr. Banneker was interested, on behalf of The Patriot—­

Certainly, The Patriot was interested; would obtain and publish the story in full, if it was as Mr. McClintick represented, with due editorial comment.

“Will it?” grumbled McClintick, gave his hat a look of mingled hope and skepticism, put it on, and went away.

“Now, what’s wrong with that chap’s mental digestion?” Banneker inquired of Edmonds, who had sat quiet throughout the interview.  “What is he holding back?”

“Plenty,” returned the veteran in a tone which might have served for echo of the labor man’s gloom.

“Do you know the Veridian story?”

“Yes.  I’ve just checked it up.”

“What’s the milk in that cocoanut?”

“Sour!” said Edmonds with such energy that Banneker turned to look at him direct.  “The principal owner of Veridian is named Marrineal....  Where you going, Ban?”

“To see the principal owner of the name,” said Banneker grimly.

The quest took him to the big house on upper Fifth Avenue.  Marrineal heard his editorial writer with impassive face.