“I’ll have to cultivate your acquaintance,” the district politician remarked as Larry went out.

The young reporter hurried to the Leader office, having hastily jotted down what Sullivan had said.  He felt he had secured a piece of news that would prove a big item that day.

“What luck?” asked Mr. Emberg, rather indifferently, as Larry came up to the city editor’s desk to report.

“I’ve got the interview.”

“I s’pose he gave you a lot of hot air that doesn’t mean anything.  See if you can dress it up a bit.  We haven’t many displays to-day.”

“Sullivan is going to support Reilly,” announced Larry, quietly.

“What?” almost shouted Mr. Emberg.  “Did he tell you that?”

“He did,” answered Larry, wondering why Mr. Emberg was so excited.

CHAPTER IX

EVERYTHING BUT THE FACTS

The city room, that had been buzzing and humming with the talk of several reporters, seemed strangely quiet as Larry gave his answer.  His remarks had been heard by several.  The clicking typewriters stopped, and those operating them looked up.

“Say that again,” spoke Mr. Emberg, as though a great deal depended on it.

“Sullivan is going to support Reilly,” repeated Larry.  “There’s what he says,” and he handed out the brief interview which he had written on some sheets of paper as he came down in the elevated train.  The city editor glanced quickly over it.

“Are you sure you haven’t made a mistake?” he asked.

“I’m positive that’s exactly what he said.”

“This is a big thing,” went on Mr. Emberg.  “We have news from Albany directly contrary to this, but if you’re sure you are right I’ll use this.  It will make a big sensation.  Have you got it all alone?”

“There were no other reporters there that I knew,” Larry said.

“Good for you.  How in the world did you do it?  I never thought you would.  Sit right down and make as much as you can of it.  Describe how he received you, what you said and what he said and all about it.  This is great.”

“I stumbled on it,” said Larry, and he proceeded to relate what he had heard about Potter and the new line, though he did not in the least know what the “new line” was.

“Better and better!” exclaimed Mr. Emberg.  “This is what I suspected.  It has to do with the new subway line.  If it runs through the eighth district it will be the making of Sullivan.  That’s why he’s supporting Reilly, because he thinks Reilly can influence Potter to run the new subway line in that direction.  We must have an interview with Potter.  I’ll send some one else out on that.  You write what you have.  Here, Mr. Newton, jump out and see if you can find Potter.  It’s going to be quite a job, but maybe you can land him.”

“Hamden Potter’s in Europe,” said a reporter who “did” Wall Street, and who knew the movements of most of the financiers.  “But he’s expected back soon.”