"
Kerry smiled, unable wholly to conceal a sense of gratified vanity.
"Well, sir," he said, "you have my resignation before you, and I'm
prepared to abide by the consequences. What I want to say is this: I'm
a man that has worked hard all his life to earn the respect and the
trust of his employers. I am supposed to be Chief Inspector of this
department, and as Chief Inspector I'll kow-tow to nothing on two legs
once I've been put in charge of a case. I work right in the sunshine.
There's no grafting about me. I draw my salary every week, and any man
that says I earn sixpence in the dark is at liberty to walk right in
here and deposit his funeral expenses. If I'm supposed to be under a
cloud--there's my reply. But I demand a public inquiry."
At ever increasing speed, succinctly, viciously he rapped out the
words. His red face grew more red, and his steel-blue eyes more
fierce. The Assistant Commissioner exhibited bewilderment. As the high
tones ceased:
"Really, Chief Inspector," he said, "you pain and surprise me. I do
not profess to be ignorant of the cause of your--annoyance. But
perhaps if I acquaint you with the facts of my own position in the
matter you will be open to reconsider your decision."
Kerry cleared his throat loudly.
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