“How did Kilburn come to be in the race?” asked Larry.

“That’s what we newspaper editors would like to know, and it’s what you reporters have to find out for us.  There’s something back of it all.  Sullivan wants something he thinks either Kilburn or Reilly can give him, and that’s why he’s holding back.  He’ll give his support to the man who, after he’s elected, can give him what he wants.  Now if you could discover whom Sullivan is going to support, and why, it would make a corking story.”

“I’ll try,” said Larry, a little doubtful of his ability.

“It isn’t at all like going down to a wreck and seeing persons rescued,” went on Mr. Emberg.  “You’ve got to nose out your news this time.  A number of reporters have tried to pump Sullivan, but he won’t give up.  Go and try your luck.  You’ll find him in the district headquarters,” and he gave Larry the address.

“Where you going?” asked Mr. Newton, as he passed Larry in the corridor.

“To interview Sullivan.”

Mr. Newton whistled.

“I don’t envy you,” he said.  “I’m afraid you’ll fall down this time, Larry” ("falling-down” being a newspaper man’s term for failure).  “We’ve all tried him, but he’s as cute as an old fox.  He’ll be nice and polite, but he’ll not give you a decided answer, one way or the other.”

“I’ve got to try,” was Larry’s reply.

Larry had one advantage on his side.  He was a new reporter in the political field.  That was one reason why Mr. Emberg sent him.  Nearly all the other available men on the Leader were well known to the politicians, they were familiar with them, and, as soon as they saw these reporters, the politicians were on their guard.

Larry, never before having talked with Sullivan and his friends, might take them off their guard, and they might let fall something that would make news, the city editor thought.  It was a slim chance, but newspaper editors are accustomed to taking such.

When Larry entered the headquarters of Sullivan, which were located in the rear of a large dance hall, he found the place well filled with men, though it was the middle of the forenoon, when most persons would have been at work.  But the men were politicians of more or less power, and had plenty of spare time.  Besides this was really their work, though it did not look like very strenuous labor, for most of them were standing in little groups, talking and smoking, or sitting in chairs tilted back against the wall.

Here was where Larry’s newness gave him an advantage.  No one in the room knew him to be a reporter, or he would have been greeted by some of the men as soon as he entered, called by name, and thus all the others would have been put on their guard.

Larry sauntered into the big room as though he belonged there.  He hardly knew what to do, but he decided to look about for a few minutes and size up the situation.  No one paid any attention to him, and he felt it would be a good plan to see if he could pick Sullivan out from among the throng.