ing the rival news service with the information even by a minute or two meant glory for the victor and censure for the vanquished.
The fate of the two reporters lay in the nimble hands of Tess O'Malley, through whom the crucial telephone message would apparently have to go. Both reporters knew it. So did Miss O'Malley, though to see her calmly chewing gum and reading a pink tabloid newspaper you would never suspect it.
The fat man had already edged over toward her and sotto voce had attempted to bribe her, with the promise of a box of candy and a luncheon date, to let his call go through first when the all-important moment arrived. Tess had smiled coldly and shaken her auburn bob in the negative.
The fat man had been there before covering Board of Directors meetings and she didn't like him.
He now rose and started impatiently walking around and lighting a cigarette. The good-looking thin youth, seizing his opportunity, leaned toward her.
"Is that the only telephone around here?" he asked politely.
Tess hesitated. He had nice eyes.
"You're new at this game, aren't you?" she asked softly. When he nodded, she added, "Well, don't breathe a word to Fatty over there that I told you but there's a 'phone a few jumps away around the corner on the reception room desk with a direct connection. It, don't lead through my switchboard at all. When the time comes, let him jump for my
