The Commissioner obviously liked Hector's fighting spirit but seemed a little regretful.
"Is that your final decision?" he asked.
"Yes, sir, thank you."
"All right." The Commissioner threw away his cigar and prepared to go. "You may regret it, Adair. However—oh, wait a minute! You've not told me what lies between you and Molyneux. Can't you confide in me?"
Hector had once inclined towards revealing the truth to the Commissioner—to tell him that the hostile M.P. for Broncho was Welland, his purpose inspired by the incidents of fifteen years and more ago. But what was the use? He had scoured the Continent for proofs and could find none. Without proofs, to lay such charges against Molyneux would be idle.
"There's nothing to confide, sir. The man's taken a dislike to me for some reason unknown. Perhaps he's the tool of someone else. Who knows?"
"You've nothing against him?"
"I never met Molyneux till I came to this district, sir."
The Commissioner pondered.
"Queer! But there are strange men in this world. And if you ever change your mind about the transfer——"