First among the costly art and other treasures of his house he
placed a magnificent orange cat, "The Rose of Sharon," a winner
whenever exhibited. The gang, bursting their way into the house, had
stolen this cat, despite Mr. Marrapit's heroic defence, leaving the
unfortunate gentleman senseless and bleeding on the hearth-rug. Mr.
Marrapit had offered 100 pounds reward for the recovery of his pet;
and the _Daily_, under the heading "Catchy Clues," proceeded to tell
its readers all over the country how best they might win this sum.
All out of Mr. Issy Jago's tiny little paragraph.
II.
_Daily_ readers revelled in it. Upon three of their number it had a
particular effect.
Bill Wyvern had not been at the _Daily_ office that night. Employed
during the day, he had finished his work at six; after a gloomy meal
had gone gloomily to bed. This man was on probation. His appointment
to a permanent post depended upon his in some way distinguishing
himself; and thus far, as, miserable, he reflected, he utterly had
failed. The "copy" he had done for the first issue of the _Daily_ had
not been used; on this day he had been sent upon an interview and had
obtained from his subject a wretched dozen words. These he had taken
to the news-editor; and the news-editor had treated them and him with
contempt.
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