"You'll keep them while you're under me, or I'll have you discharged. I don't intend that there shall be any scum in the Force if I can help it."
"You are over-valuing your powers, I think," said Dick; but his mockery was gone, even while Tempest looked at him, remembering Molson's assertion that this man was indifferent to punishment and wondering what lever can move a will when shame is broken.
Then he saw the painful red flush up the brown skin, and Dick turned his shoulder, walking through the room. Tempest guessed then, with a swift gladness. This man was not indifferent to the opinion of the man who had been his friend. He spoke again, less sternly. And in the end Dick submitted, rather from amused indifference than conviction. But Tempest had learnt something from that short contest.
"You know more about this business than I do," he said. "I empower you to work it up."
Dick was pacing the room with head low. He stopped suddenly.
"You old devil," he said; and Tempest smiled.
"You've got the executive faculty more developed at short range than anyone I know," he said.
Dick walked again. But his face was changing. His eyes brightened slowly. Then he began to laugh with a soft, purring note like a big cat, and his steps were soft as those of a cat.
"You give me a free hand?" he said, and Tempest laughed again.
"As free as compatible with your uniform. Go on, and do your damndest."
And then, quite suddenly, he remembered Jennifer. Dick's next words trod on his thought.
"Ducane has a wife, hasn't he?"
"That's so," said Tempest quietly. But Dick saw his limbs twitch.
"Why haven't I seen her?"
"I suppose this first cold snap has kept her at home."
"Take me over to see her to-morrow."
"Give me your word you won't"
"Good Lord! no, man. That's what I want her for.
