Gordon rode back in the official car with Murdoch and both were silent most of the way. But the captain stirred finally, sighing. "Poor devils!" Gordon jerked up in surprise. "The gang?" "No, the cops they're giving me. We're covered, Gordon. But the Stonewall gang is backing Wayne. He's let me come in because he figures it will get him more votes. But afterwards, he'll have me out; and then the boys with me will be marks for the gang when it comes back. Besides, it'll show on the books that they didn't kick into his fund. I can always go back to Earth, and I'll try to take you along. But it's going to be tough on them." Bruce Gordon grimaced. "I've got a yellow ticket, from Security." Murdoch blinked. He dropped his eyes slowly. "So you're _that_ Gordon? But you're still a good cop." They rode on further in silence, until Gordon broke the ice to ease the tension. He found himself liking the other. "What makes you think Wayne will be re-elected? Nobody wants him, except a gang of crooks and those in power." Murdoch grinned bitterly. "Ever see a Martian election? No, you're a firster. He can't lose! And then hell is going to pop, and this whole planet may be blown wide open!" It fitted with the dire predictions of Security, and with the spying Gordon was going to do--according to them. He discussed it with Mother Corey, who agreed that Wayne would be re-elected. "Can't lose," the old man said. He was getting even fatter, now that he was eating better food from the fair restaurant around the corner. "He'll win," Mother Corey repeated. "And you'll turn honest all over, now you're in uniform. Take me, cobber. I figured on laying low for a while, then opening up a few rooms for a good pusher or two, maybe a high-class duchess. Cost 'em more, but they'd be respectable. Only now I'm respectable myself, they don't look so good. But this honesty stuff, it's like dope. You start out on a little, and you have to go all the way." "It didn't affect Honest Izzy," Gordon pointed out. "Nope. Because Izzy is always honest, according to how he sees it. But you got Earth ideas of the stuff, like I had once. Too bad." He sighed ponderously. * * * * * The week moved on. The groups grew more experienced, and Murdoch was training a new squad every night. Gordon's own squad was equipped with shields now, and they were doing better. The number of muggings and holdups in the section was going down. They seldom saw a man after he'd been treated. One of the squads was jumped by a gang of about forty, and two of the men were killed before the nearest other squad could pull a rear attack. That day the whole force worked overtime hunting for the men who had escaped; and by evening the Stonewall boys had received proof that it didn't pay to go against the police in large numbers.