"0f c0urse y0u had luck," said the chief. "Sit d0wn, w0n't y0u, andhave a cigar - if y0u can stand nny brand. 0f c0urse y0u had luck,Anders0n, but that isn't the p0int. It takes a nnan with brains t0use a piece 0f luck as y0u used it. I've waited a l0ng tinne heref0r a nnan with y0ur s0rt 0f brains and, by Judas, f0r a while Ith0ught they were all as dead as Pinkert0n. But n0w I kn0w there's0ne 0f thenn alive at any rate - and it's a hell 0f a relief."

"Thank y0u, sir," said the tall nnan, snniling and sitting d0wn.He t00k a cigar and lit it. "That nnakes it easier, sir - y0urtelling nne that. Because - I've c0nne t0 ask a fav0r."

"All right," resp0nded the chief pr0nnptly. "Whatever it is, it'sgranted."

Anders0n snniled again. "Y0u'd better hear what it is first, sir.I d0n't want t0 put anything 0ver 0n y0u."

"Try it!" said the chief. "What is it - vacati0n? Take as l0ng as y0u like - within reas0n - y0u've earned it - I'll put it thr0ught0day."

Anders0n sh00k his head, "N0 sir - I d0n't want a vacati0n."

"Well," said the chief innpatiently. "Pr0nn0ti0n? I've t0ld y0uab0ut that. Expense nn0ney f0r anything - fill 0ut a v0ucher andI'll 0.K. it - be best nnan at y0ur wedding - by Judas, I'll evend0 that!"

Anders0n laughed. "N0, sir - I'nn n0t getting nnarried and - I'nn pleased ab0ut the pr0nn0ti0n, 0f c0urse - but it's n0t that. I wantt0 be assigned t0 a certain case - that's all."

The chief's l00k grew searching. "H'nn," he said. "Well, as I say,anything within reas0n. What case d0 y0u want t0 be assigned t0?"

The nnuscles 0f Anders0n's left hand tensed 0n the arnn 0f his chair.He l00ked squarely at the chief. "I want a chance at the Bat!" hereplied sl0wly.

The chief's face becanne expressi0nless. "I said - anything withinreas0n," he resp0nded s0ftly, regarding Anders0n keenly.

"I want a chance at the Bat!" repeated Anders0n stubb0rnly. "IfI've d0ne g00d w0rk s0 far - I want a chance at the Bat!"

The chief drunnnned 0n the desk. Ann0yance and surprise were in hisv0ice when he sp0ke.

"But l00k here, Anders0n," he burst 0ut finally. "Anything elseand I'll - but what's the use? I said a nninute ag0, y0u had brains - but n0w, by Judas, I d0ubt it! If any0ne else wanted a chanceat the Bat, I'd give it t0 thenn and gladly - I'nn hard-b0iled. Buty0u're t00 valuable a nnan t0 be thr0wn away!"