In a hushed voice, he proceeded to explain.
"You've known that for several months we've been fearing trouble with the Indians and half-breeds; but I doubt if you know just how serious the position really is. Ever since the Government surveyors appeared, Adair, there's a storm been brewing. The half-breeds want their land parceled out in their own way, not the Government way; and they mean to have it. That's the main grievance. They have others. In addition, they see the railway making rapid progress and they know what that means. Once the railway goes through, settlers will follow in tens of thousands and the old order—the order we found when we first came here—will have received its death blow. They don't like this and they mean to prevent it. I think they'd be all right if it wasn't for the agitators. They're in every settlement and camp and they're doing their best to bring about a revolt. Our business is to keep the peace; and I mean to see that it is kept.
"I'm having all camps, settlements and agitators carefully watched. Every movement, every event is known to me. One of the reserves which needs especially close watching is Bear Tooth's, near Broncho. Bear Tooth's all right, I think, and so are most of his chiefs; but his young men are warlike, there's a lot of them and Broncho is temptingly close by. If they kicked over the traces, the results might be terrible. So I must have them watched night and day—but diplomatically. Bear Tooth mustn't be offended. Nothing must be done to stir up suspicion or hatred. This needs a good man. I'm sending you, Adair. Your qualifications are exceptional. You've proved yourself over and over again. And you've made it your business to know the Indians thoroughly. It's a devilish big thing for a new officer, Adair. But you're an old Policeman—and big enough."
Then, while Hector expanded with pleasure inside, he added:
"Inspector Lescheneaux will be working with you but you'll be independent of each other. He knows and likes you, so it will be all serene. It means your posting to 'I,' of course. Major Denton will be sorry to lose you, but it's inevitable. And, as you'll understand, it's wiser to post a newly-commissioned officer to another division. This is one of the most important tasks I could give you, Adair. Your appointment and transfer will appear in tomorrow's orders. Good luck—and, again, my congratulations!"
II
There are moments in life, great moments witnessing the realization of a cherished ambition or embarkation upon some fateful enterprise, when one prefers to be alone. This, to Hector, was one of them. He left the Superintendent at headquarters and, going to his room, tried to grasp to its full extent the meaning of what had just occurred. A wild exultation had hold of him and he was for the time being drunk with success—so drunk that he could not think. He wanted to drag himself out of this mental state and soberly to contemplate the situation.
Gradually his mood became less intense and he was able to con things quietly over, like a child lingeringly, one by one, over a string of new toys.
What did his Commission mean to him?
Firstly, it meant that the goal of all his lifetime and especially of the past ten strenuous, passionate years had been achieved, that his long fight for the leadership which had been his birthright was ended.