Fowler groaned and looked at Enoch, who was lighting a fresh cigarette. "Will you agree, Brown, to an absolute break with Fowler and no come backs?" asked Enoch. "Yes," said Brown eagerly. "What else?" "You are to go out of the newspaper business." There was another silence. Then Brown said, "I'll not do it!" "Very well," returned Enoch, "then the Mexican affair will be published as Curly has written it with all the attendant circumstances." Again there was silence, with all the eyes in the room focused on the pale, gentle face, opposite Enoch. The noise of street traffic beat against the windows. Telephones sounded remotely in the outer office. For ten minutes this was all. Then Brown in a husky voice said, "Very well! Give me the document!" "Not at all," returned Enoch, coolly. "This document goes into my safety deposit box. In case of my death, it will be left to responsible parties. When you die, it will be destroyed. I am not a rich man, Mr. Brown, but I shall devote a part of my income to having you watched; watched lest indirectly and by the underhand methods you know so well you again attempt to influence public opinion. After to-morrow, you are through." "To-morrow! Impossible!" gasped Brown. "Nothing is impossible except decency to a man of your capacity," said Enoch. "To-morrow you publish a complete denial of your lies about me and this Department and then you are no longer a newspaper publisher. That is all I have to say to you, Mr. Brown." He pressed a button, "Jonas, please show Mr. Brown out." Jonas' black eyes snapped. "How come you think I'd soil my shadow letting that viper trail it, boss? I never disobeyed you before, Mr. Secretary, but that trash can show hisself out!" and Jonas withdrew to his own office, while Brown, shrugging his shoulders, opened and closed the door for himself. Ames would have followed him, but Enoch said, "One moment, Ames! What assurance are you going to give me that you will keep your mouth shut as to what you've heard this afternoon?" "I give you my word," began Ames, eagerly. Enoch raised his hand. "Don't be silly, Ames. Do you know that I can make serious legal trouble for you for your part in libelling me and the Department?" "But Brown said his lawyers--" "Brown's lawyers? Do you think Brown's lawyers will fight for you now?" "No, Mr. Secretary," muttered the reporter.