ight the Secretary of State communicated in
person with the Chief Commissioner--at the latter's town residence. He
instructed him to offer every facility to a newly appointed agent of the
Home office who was empowered to conduct an official inquiry into the
drug traffic. As a result Vine Street was advised that the Home office
investigator would proceed at once to Kazmah's premises, and from thence
wherever available clues might lead him. For some reason which has not
yet been explained to me, this investigator chooses to preserve a strict
anonymity."

Traces of irritation became perceptible in the weary voice. Kerry
staring, in silence, the Assistant Commissioner continued:

"I have been advised that this nameless agent is in a position to
establish his bona fides at any time, as he bears a number of these
cards. You see, Chief Inspector, I am frank with you."

From a table drawer the Assistant Commissioner took a visiting-card,
which he handed to Kerry. The latter stared at it as one stares at
a rare specimen. It was the card of Lord Wrexborough, His Majesty's
Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, and in the cramped
caligraphy of his lordship it bore a brief note, initialled, thus:

Lord Wrexborough
Great Cumberland Place, V. 1
"To introduce 719. W."

Some moments of silence followed; then:

"Seven-one-nine," said Kerry in a high, strained voice. "Why
seven-one-nine? And why all this hocus-pocus? Am I to understand, sir,
that not only myself but all the Criminal Investigation Department is
under a cloud?"

The Assistant Commissioner stroked his hair.

"You are to understand, Chief Inspector, that for the first time
throughout my period of office I find myself out of touch with the Chief
Commissioner. It is not departmental for me to say so, but I believe
the Chief Commissioner finds himself similarly out of touch with the
Secretary of State. Apparently very powerful influences are at work, and
the line of conduct taken up by the Home office suggests to my mind that
collusion between the receivers and distributors of drugs and the police
is suspected by someone. That being so, possibly out of a sense of
fairness to all officially concerned, the committee which I understand
has been appointed to inquire into the traffic has decided to treat
us all alike, from myself down to the rawest constable. It's highly
irritating and preposterous, of course, but I cannot disguise from you
or f