"And some in the penitentiary. I've watched your work the past nine years with genuine pride, Jim. You've said a lot of hard things about rich malefactors, but you've never touched me."
"No, I think you're too shrewd to be caught in that class, Cal."
"I pride myself that I am. It's only the clumsy fool who gets tangled in the criminal law. But a lot of them have done it—big fellows whose names fill the world with noise. I've taken the pains to put into that type-written document the names, the dates, the places, the deeds, the names of the witnesses and all the essential facts. Do what you please with it. If you do what I think you will, some men who are wearing purple and fine linen will be wearing stripes before another year and you will be the biggest man in New York."
"And your motive?"
"Does it matter?"
"It vitally affects the credibility of this story."
"You must know my motive?"
"I prefer to be sure of it before taking so important and daring an action as you suggest."
Bivens rose and stood before his friend with his smooth hands folded behind his back.
"You believe me, Jim, when I say that my pride in your career is genuine?"