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Rh my way, I added that I should always be glad to serve him. For the first time the fire marshal smiled. I shot in a swift last stroke for Brodie, though an indirect one. "But you don't want any misfires," I ventured, inwardly delighted that the play on the word amused him. "A big case that failed of a conviction would be damaging."

We shook hands as I left soon after, though the final comfort he denied me. For when I mentioned that my present address would always find me "if you need me again," he merely bowed and thanked me. He did not say, as I hoped he would, "your presence will not be required any more." Rh