"Certainly I could."
"I should say that once they'd got their letters back, you'd be in their power."
Leighton got to his feet. He was angry. He faced Luke, who did not shift his lazy pose.
"Look here," he said, "we've been friends, and you've done good work for me, especially this afternoon——"
"Thanks," said Luke.
"But it looks as if the time had come when you'd better understand who's the head of this office."
"You are," Luke assured his chief; and then added: "I'm glad to say."
"Well, then, Huber, I've got to tell you that if you don't act accordingly, we must part company."
Luke raised his listless eyes.
"You've quite made up your mind to do this thing, Leighton?"