The Chief got to his feet and held out a massive hand. “Right,” he said, “I’m mighty glad. And I think you’ve made a wise decision. Now I’ve got a lot of work to do. Moore has full instructions for you both. Anything else you want to know he can tell you. Wait here for ten minutes. Good-by and good luck!” With that he went to the door. Then he suddenly turned back to me again: “And by the way, Clayton!”
“Yes, sir,” I answered, smiling.
“Don’t talk about this business to anybody—anybody. Is that clear with you?”
“Quite clear,” I assured him.
“You’ll meet some of the other operatives perhaps. You’re almost sure to. But unless they come to you with the proper credentials for this job, which Moore will explain to you, don’t tell them things. There’s a reason.”
Moore interrupted. “Don’t you think, Chief, that we might tell him the reason?”
The Chief frowned. Then suddenly he made a wry face again. “All right, I suppose so. The fact of the matter is, Clayton, that for the first time in its history either we’ve had the rottenest of bad luck, or—there’s a leak somewhere in the Department. Now you understand.”
Without another word he strode to the door again and went out.
I turned to Moore and found him smiling whimsically.
“Nothing slow about your Chief,” I remarked.