s women belonging to a certain
West End set, sir," said Kerry savagely. "They go in for every
monstrosity from Buenos Ayres, Port Said and Pekin. They get up dances
that would make a wooden horse blush. They eat hashish and they smoke
opium. They inject morphine, and they would have their hair dyed blue if
they heard it was 'being done.'"

"Ah," sighed the Assistant Commissioner, "a very delicate and complex
case, Chief Inspector. The agony of mind which Mr. Irvin must be
suffering is too horrible for one to contemplate. An admirable man,
too; honorable and generous. I can conceive no theory to account for
the disappearance of Mrs. Irvin other than that she was a party to the
murder."

"No, sir," said Kerry guardedly. "But we have the dope clue to work on.
That the Chinese receive stuff in the East End and that it's sold in
the West End every constable in the force is well aware. Leman Street is
getting busy, and every shady case in the Piccadilly area will be beaten
up within the next twenty-four hours, too. It's purely departmental,
sir, from now onwards, and merely a question of time. Therefore I don't
doubt the issue."

Kerry paused, cleared his throat, and produced a foolscap envelope which
he laid upon the table before the Assistant Commissioner.

"With very deep regret, sir," he said, "after a long and agreeable
association with the Criminal Investigation Department, I have to tender
you this."

The Assistant Commissioner took up the envelope and stared at it
vaguely.

"Ah, yes, Chief Inspector," he murmured. "Perhaps I fail entirely to
follow you; I am somewhat over-worked, as you know. What does this
envelope contain?"

"My resignation, sir," replied Kerry.

CHAPTER XXIV. TO INTRODUCE 719

Some moments of silence followed. Sounds of traffic from the Embankment
penetrated dimly to the room of the Assistant Commissioner; ringing
of tram bells and that vague sustained noise which is created by the
whirring of countless wheels along hard pavements. Finally:

"You have selected a curious moment to retire, Chief Inspector," said
the Assistant Commissioner. "Your prospects were never better. No doubt
you have considered the question of your pension?"

"I know what I'm giving up, sir," replied Kerry.

The Assistant Commissioner slowly revolved in his chair and gazed sadly
at the speaker. Chief Inspector Kerry met his glance with that fearless,
unflinching stare which lent him so formidable an appear