"
"Thank you, sir," said the tall man, smiling and sitting down.
He took a cigar and lit it. "That makes it easier, sir--your
telling me that. Because--I've come to ask a favor."
"All right," responded the chief promptly. "Whatever it is, it's
granted."
Anderson smiled again. "You'd better hear what it is first, sir.
I don't want to put anything over on you."
"Try it!" said the chief. "What is it--vacation? Take as long as
you like--within reason--you've earned it--I'll put it through
today."
Anderson shook his head, "No sir--I don't want a vacation."
"Well," said the chief impatiently. "Promotion? I've told you
about that. Expense money for anything--fill out a voucher and
I'll O.K. it--be best man at your wedding--by Judas, I'll even
do that!"
Anderson laughed. "No, sir--I'm not getting married and--I'm
pleased about the promotion, of course--but it's not that. I want
to be assigned to a certain case--that's all."
The chief's look grew searching. "H'm," he said. "Well, as I say,
anything within reason. What case do you want to be assigned to?"
The muscles of Anderson's left hand tensed on the arm of his chair.
He looked squarely at the chief. "I want a chance at the Bat!" he
replied slowly.
The chief's face became expressionless. "I said--anything within
reason," he responded softly, regarding Anderson keenly.
"I want a chance at the Bat!" repeated Anderson stubbornly. "If
I've done good work so far--I want a chance at the Bat!"
The chief drummed on the desk.
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