Hartruff saw the smile on the faces of the company, and rose from his seat.
“I will leave this gentleman to continue his pipe-dreaming, advising him, however, that it is a dangerous practice.”
“Is that a warning, Hartruff? If so, write it out, please. Those warnings always look so much fiercer in mis-spelled words signed with crosses. But I forget, your Organisation never puts itself on paper.”
“No—but it puts itself on record!”
“Makes its mark, you mean? Well, that’s merely a defect of early education, easily overcome with men like you to guide its fist.”
“Take care you don’t feel the weight of it.”
“My dear Hartruff, haven’t they taught you yet to keep your teeth on your temper? Really, you’ll never rise from the ranks unless you learn to smile and smile and,—well—you’d better learn to smile.”
Hartruff turned on his heel, strode to the door and slammed it behind him.
“When Holcomb left the Sheriff,” continued Norris calmly, “he promptly sent for his client Barney McCarren and explained the entire situation to him. McCarren expressed no surprise, but when Holcomb announced his intention of bringing mandamus proceedings to compel the Sheriff to give the required certificates, Barney laid a protesting hand on his counsel’s arm.