Page:Bailey - Call Mr Fortune (Dutton, 1921).djvu/218

Rh me now. I can only advise you to consider your position. I don't know whether your resignation will save you from worse consequences. I'll do what I can. But you make it very hard. Good morning. You had better not go back to the office."

"I deny every imputation," said Sandford. "Good morning, sir."

Half apologetically Kimball turned to the others. "There's nothing for it, I suppose. We'll have to go through with it now. You'll let me have an official report. The fellow's hopeless. Poor devil!"

"I can't say he touches my heart," said Lomas.

Kimball laughed without mirth. "He can't help himself," he said, and went out.

"I shouldn't have thought Kimball was so human," said Lomas.

"Well, sir, he always has stuck to his men, I must say," said Superintendent Bell.

"I wonder he could stick to Sandford for a day."

"That Mr. Sandford, he is what you might call a superior person," Bell chuckled. "Funny how they brazen it out, that kind."

"Yes, I don't doubt he thinks he was most impressive. Well, Fortune, there's not much here for you, I'm afraid."

Reggie had gone to the window and was fidgeting there. "I say, the wind's changed," said he. "That's something, anyway."