Page:GB Lancaster--law-bringer.djvu/382

380 six weeks or two months' start. But it makes me all the more certain of the wisdom of my original decision. I have detailed you to bring the girl in, Heriot. It is a cold time of year for travel, but you are acclimated to that."

"You want me—to go after Andree?"

Dick spoke low and dazedly. The thought seemed strangely horrible and unreal.

"And as soon as possible." The Commissioner's voice sharpened. "We hanged Robison," he said. "We have hanged an innocent man. That is a stain which, to my knowledge, has not been on our name before, and I would give a very great deal if it could be wiped out. Unfortunately that is impossible; but it is all the more our duty to bring the real criminal to justice without loss of time. You have a genius for marking down your men, and I don't think I could do better than send you after her."

Dick did not speak. The Commissioner turned back to the table.

"You can get a dog-train outfit in Grey Wolf, of course," he said. "Don't delay at any point on account of funds. The honour of the whole Force is more or less tarnished until we get her. For if she knows of it we may be sure that she is not the only one. You will leave here in the morning. Come to me after stables, and I will give you your letter of instructions."

Dick was dismissed, but still he did not move. The Commissioner looked at him again, and then for a moment he trod over the barrier of discipline.

"This patrol doesn't please you," he said. "I am sorry, for I have always looked on you as one of our keenest men. What is your objection?"

"I knew her—rather well," said Dick slowly. "I had sooner it had been another man to take her, sir."

The Commissioner looked away again. There was evidently much more here than he knew. But he had no right to probe too far into the inner lives of these men whom he ruled.

"I am sorry," he said. "But it is not necessary for me to tell you that in such work as we have to do private feelings must be ignored. The fact is, I trust you to