use a piece of luck as you used it. I've waited a long time here
for a man with your sort of brains and, by Judas, for a while I
thought they were all as dead as Pinkerton. But now I know there's
one of them alive at any rate--and it's a hell of a relief."

"Thank you, sir," said the tall man, smiling and sitting down.
He took a cigar and lit it. "That makes it easier, sir--your
telling me that. Because--I've come to ask a favor."

"All right," responded the chief promptly. "Whatever it is, it's
granted."

Anderson smiled again. "You'd better hear what it is first, sir.
I don't want to put anything over on you."

"Try it!" said the chief. "What is it--vacation? Take as long as
you like--within reason--you've earned it--I'll put it through
today."

Anderson shook his head, "No sir--I don't want a vacation."

"Well," said the chief impatiently. "Promotion? I've told you
about that. Expense money for anything--fill out a voucher and
I'll O.K. it--be best man at your wedding--by Judas, I'll even
do that!"

Anderson laughed. "No, sir--I'm not getting married and--I'm
pleased about the promotion, of course--but it's not that. I want
to be assigned to a certain case--that's all."