I hold to the old status

"Precisely what I fear." Banneker had been making some swift calculations on his desk-blotter. Now he took up a blue pencil and with a gesture, significant and not without dramatic effect, struck it down through the reckoning. "No, Mr. Marrineal. It isn't good enough. I hold to the old status. When our contract is out--" "Just a moment, Mr. Banneker. Isn't there a French proverb, something about no man being as indispensable as he thinks?" Marrineal's voice was never more suave and friendly. "Before you make any final decision, look these over." He produced from his pocket half a dozen of what appeared to be Patriot editorial clippings. The editor of The Patriot glanced rapidly through them. A puzzled frown appeared on his face. "When did I write these?" "You didn't." "Who did?" "I" "They're dam' good." "Aren't they!" "Also, they're dam' thievery." "Doubtless you mean flattery. In its sincerest form. Imitation." "Perfect. I could believe I'd written them myself." "Yes; I've been a very careful student of The Patriot's editorial style." "The Patriot's! Mine!" "Surely not. You would hardly contend seriously that, having paid the longest price on record for the editorials, The Patriot has not a vested right in them and their style." "I see," said Banneker thoughtfully. Inwardly he cursed himself for the worst kind of a fool; the fool who underestimates the caliber of his opponent.