Chapter 11

Lifting the receiver from the hook, Sidney Repton made several calls, briefly communicating to those who ruled the _Universe_ that Mr. Bruce McIvor was a desirable acquisition to the literary staff. He was vanquished. In aught save exact compliance he saw ridicule—the contempt of Fleet Street. He turned to O’Hagan, pale faced, eyes flaming. Words trembled unspoken upon his tongue. “Stop!” O’Hagan spoke the word imperiously, and raised his hand. “You have bought immunity,” he continued, “in respect of your insults f…