General Petain saw the little
man's indecision, and said with a smile:
"You have something on your mind, sir. Come, out with it. Be sure it will
be granted if it lies in my power."
Still Stubbs hesitated. Chester stepped forward, smiling.
"I believe I can tell you what it is, sir," he said.
"Speak," said the general.
"Why, sir," said Chester, "Mr. Stubbs would have your permission to send
an account of the great explosion to his newspaper uncensored. He would
have the people of the United States know, through his paper, of the
severe blow the enemy has suffered."
"H-m-m-m," muttered the general. "The United States will hear of the
disaster, of course. Mr. Stubbs, with the other correspondents, will be
allowed to file his despatches after the official report has been made."
"But that's the point, sir," said Stubbs, stepping forward. "I would like
to have my paper get the news first."
"Oho! I see," exclaimed General Petain. "You want for your paper what you
Americans' call a--a--a--"
"Scoop."
Chester supplied the word.
"Exactly," said Stubbs.
The general considered the matter for a moment. Then he threw wide his
arms in a gesture of consent.
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