Chapter III
I
"Look here, Adair," said the Commissioner, "what lies between you and that fellow Molyneux? Ever since your arrival in the Broncho district, a campaign has been going on against you in the papers and under the surface. The preliminary business over Demon George was a case in point. Then, afterwards, Molyneux slated you unmercifully over the death of that man Humphries. In his papers, I mean. Just now, in Ottawa, he concentrates on you again and every Eastern paper is printing his speeches. I've got a copy of Hansard here with that last outburst of his—the duel between himself and the Prime Minister. During the debate on the estimates, Molyneux grabbed the opportunity to attack the Force—apparently his favourite game. Of course, we were stoutly defended and I don't think the House took Molyneux seriously. But the papers print what he says and, because he's a Westerner, well—the people, in the East at any rate, take it for Gospel. Have you seen the reports?"
"Yes, sir," said Hector. "I've a cousin editing a Toronto paper."
"Then you know what they've been saying. Pretty severe—and talkative, eh?"
"Yes, sir. But you were going to read Hansard."
"Oh, yes. Let's see—'the Honourable member'—ah, here we are: 'And here's another case of inefficiency,'—This is Molyneux speaking—'Not long ago, early in the summer, out there, we had a notorious bad man, who came into my constituency from the United States. The man was encouraged into defiance by being permitted to walk round town a free man, terrorizing the citizens. When finally the Police officer in command took action after repeated protests, he ordered a single constable to carry out the arrest. This young fellow—a brave lad, of good English family—attempted to arrest the man without drawing a weapon, in accordance with instructions expressly given and was, of course, shot dead. None but a fool would have ordered such a thing. That bad man should have been arrested as soon as he crossed the boundary. The arrest should have been made by several men and there should have been no monkey business of not drawing weapons. That young man was just deliberately sacrificed!"
"Now here's a smart one from the Prime Minister, Adair—right off the bat: 'I beg to differ. That young man was a hero. He died doing his duty in accordance with one of the noblest traditions of the North-West Mounted Police—using no unnecessary force and no provocative measures.' Then comes Molyneux again: 'Yes, that's consolation to the bereaved parents! You can't arrest Western outlaws, sir, as you would naughty boys. And please remember, I speak for my constituents. They were up in arms about that case—and are now.' By the way, of course you wrote——"
"Yes, sir," Hector smiled at his chief's look of concern, "I wrote to his father. The old gentleman answered that it was the finest piece of news concerning his son he'd ever had and that he was prouder of him dead than ever, since—these were his words—his son had done his duty like a man and a Hardisty."