Here's what they say." He opened it and read: "We return to you herewith the MS.

of your novel, 'In Defiance of Authority,' and regret that our reader does not recommend it as available for publication at present.

We have, however, followed your work with considerable interest, and have read a story by you, copied in one of our exchanges, under the title, 'A Victory Over Death,' which we would have been glad to publish ourselves, had you given us the chance.
"Would you consider the offer of the assistant editorship of our QUARTERLY, a literary and critical pamphlet, that we publish in New York, and with which we presume you are familiar?
We do not believe there would be any difficulty in the matter of financial arrangements.
In case you should decide to come on, we inclose R.R.passes via the A.T.

& S.F., C.& A., and New York Central.
"Very truly, "THE CENTENNIAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, "NEW YORK." The two exchanged glances.

But Blix was too excited to speak, and could only give vent to a little, quivering, choking sigh.