“You’re not a detective, Johnny. Your work is more that of an inspector. An inspector looks into the cause of fires and tries to prevent them. Man’s best friend, and worst enemy, is fire. It’s a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The Mr. Hyde side of fire is a heartless brute. We are constantly attempting to destroy that side of his nature. All men should be enlisted on our side. Unfortunately, all are not. Those who go over to the enemy must be treated as enemies. They must be captured and imprisoned. There are times when I think the worst of them should be shot.
“It’s not the loss of property that’s the worst of it, but the loss of human life. And life, Johnny,” the inspector laid a hand on Johnny’s knee, “human life is the most precious thing in the world, and any man who has the slightest disregard for the ‘least of these’ isn’t fit to live. It would be better that a stone be tied about his neck and that he be cast into the midst of the sea. That’s what the Good Book says, Johnny, and it’s true, almighty true.”
“Coming up to the central alarm to-night?” he asked after a moment’s silence.
Johnny nodded.
“Good.”
“Going to bring a friend,” said Johnny, easily.
“Who?”
“A girl pal.”
“Girl?” The chief frowned.
“Wait till you know her,” grinned Johnny.