"Well, you see," said the editor apologetically, "your not being in our regular employ, Mr.--I beg your pardon--and your coming in this unusual way and hour--"
"But, begorry, somethin' unusual's happened."
"So I understand; it was very good of you to come to us first; just give me the points, and I will jot them down."
"But what are yees goin' to give me for the pints?"
"That depends upon what they are worth. News cannot be paid for till we learn its value."
"Och! here I'm rinnin' a grate risk in tellin' ye at all, and whin I've spilt it all out, and can't pick it up agin, ye may show me the door, and tell me to go 'long wid me rubbish."
"If you find what you have to report in the paper, you may know it is worth something. So if you will look at the paper to-morrow you can see whether it will be worth your while to call again," said the editor, becoming impatient at Pat's hesitancy to open his budget.
"But I'm in sore need of a dollar or two to-night. Dade, it's as much as my loife's worth to go home widout 'em."
"See here, my good friend," said the editor, rising again and speaking very energetically, "my time is very valuable, and you have taken considerable of it. Whatever may be the nature of your news, it will not be worth anything to me if you do not tell it at once."
"Well, you see the biggest part o' the news is goin' to happen to-morrow."
"Well, well, what has happened to-night?"
"Will ye promise not to mention me name?"
"How can I mention it when I don't know it?"
"That's thrue, that's thrue. Now me mind's aisy on that pint, for ye must know that Boss Arnot's in'ards are made o' cast-iron, and he'd have no marcy on a feller. You'll surely give me a dollar, at laste."
"Yes, if your story is worth printing, and I give you just three minutes in which to tell it."
Thus pinned down, Pat related all he knew and surmised concerning Haldane's woful predicament, saying in conclusion: "Ye must know that this Haldane is not a poor spalpeen uv a clerk, but a gintleman's son. They sez that his folks is as stylish and rich as the Arnots themselves. If ye'll have a reporther up at the office in the mornin', ye'll git the balance o' the tale."
Having received his dollar, Pat went chuckling on his way to deliver his employer's letter to the superintendent of the city police.
"Faix! I was as wise as a sarpent in not tellin' me name, for ye niver can thrust these iditors. It's no green Irishman that can make a dollar after twelve o' the night."