The Chief surveyed Dark's strong face with speculative green eyes, then added:
"As a matter of fact, we've made a certain amount of progress following your line of research. Since there are probably a good many things you discovered in this work that we haven't stumbled on yet, we could use your help in developing it, if you're interested."
"Very definitely," answered Dark. "I'm interested in seeing what you've done, and I'll be glad to help in any way I can."
"There's one thing," said the Chief, measuring his words. "I've held this organization together despite some pretty severe reverses for more than fifteen years now. The reason I've been able to do it is that I expect and must insist on absolute obedience to my orders."
Dark smiled. "I said that I would be willing to help you," he replied gently. "I follow no man's orders."
The green eyes fixed themselves unwinkingly on the pale-blue ones for a long moment. The blue ones did not waver.
At last, to Fancher's utter amazement, the Chief nodded agreement.
5
Maya Cara Nome looked from her furnished room through cracked shutters at the building across the street.