It was O.K.'d by a dozen others. The High Official added his O.K. to
the others. Then he promptly forgot about it, as did every one else
concerned, save the men most vitally interested.
In due time Thorne, then in Los Angeles, received a brief communication
from Stafford, the obscure clerk.
"In regard to your charges against Supervisor H.M. Plant, the Department
begs to advise you that, after examining carefully the evidence for the
defence, it finds the charges not proven."
Thorne stared at the paper incredulously, then he did something he had
never permitted himself before; he wrote in expostulation to the Higher
Official.
"I cannot imagine what the man's defence could be," he wrote, in part,
"but my evidence a mere denial could hardly controvert. The whole
countryside knows the man is crooked; they know he was investigated;
they are now awaiting with full confidence the punishment for
well-understood peculation. I can hardly exaggerate the body blow to the
Service such a decision would give. Nobody will believe in it again."
On reading this the Higher Official called in one of his subordinates.
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