"Vickers," he told his clerk, "take this down for circulation to all posts and detachments—to be read by every man in the division——"
Sergeant Kellett, on Discovery Creek, called Constable York's detachment to attention and read them the C.O.'s letter:
'CONFIDENTIAL.
It has been brought to the notice of the Officer Commanding, Black Elk Territory, that members of the Force and others have recently been offered bribes. The Officer Commanding has yet to learn of a bribe being accepted by any member of the Force.
The Officer Commanding recognizes no circumstances justifying any member of the Force in accepting bribes in any shape or form. Recalling the fact from personal experience, he knows of no instance since the Force was organized of any member either seeking or accepting illegitimate remuneration for his services.
All ranks of the Force in Black Elk Territory will remember that the reputation of the North-West Mounted Police is in their hands.'
The Sergeant gravely folded the paper and dismissed the detachment. Whereupon the detachment—total strength, three men—flocked round him and begged to see the letter for themselves.
Followed muttering comment: "'And others'—that's tactful, eh?"—"'The O.C. has yet to learn'—there's a touch of brag in that."—"'The Officer Commanding recognizes no'—by Jove, I wish he'd spent the winter with me in Hopeful Pass!"—"You fool, he went through worse before you were born!"—"'Recalling the fact from personal experience'—that's right! The Old Man came out with the Originals!"—"'All ranks will remember that the reputation—.' Good old 'Spirit-of-Iron'!"
"Yes," said Sergeant Kellett, forcibly annexing the letter, "it's in their hands! And, before the Lord, you, York, or any man Jack of you, if you forget it, I'll take down my stripes and lick the stuffing out of you!"
"Thanks!" the red-readed York flashed back hotly. "Think I'd go back on the Chief? You just hint that I'd forget it, Sergeant Kellett, an' I'll knock your block off, stripes an' all!"