Thornberry sniffed. "It was no threat. I knew the man and simply appealed to him in the proper way. Then with the spray of cannabis indica that I carry, I speeded his willingness--" "Marihuana!" "Please don't be so shocked!" and Thornberry was horrified that Bennington should be shocked. "The prescription I use is a carefully compounded medical dosage specifically prepared to promote suggestibility...." "Doctor, I am not in the least suggesting that you would use any method or drug not thoroughly commended by your profession. "In addition, I am delighted beyond expression that you found some way to learn what we needed from Judkins. "But, just as I was surprised that your profession did find a use for a drug previously condemned, I now want to be surprised in another way: "_What can you do for someone like Clarens?_" Thornberry's lips came together and his cheeks began to pull in. Bennington resigned himself to hearing again the phrase, "There are some areas of human behavior--" * * * * * "_Car 17, at M dash 9, Code Two Zero, times two. Standing by for instructions._" Bennington turned to watch Chief Scott's big fore-fingers travel a line from the side and a line from the top that brought them together on the big map. "Signs of breaking and entering, down on Hickory, where it's all big warehouses." Thornberry leaped to the chief's side. "Lonely at this time of night? Dark? Not too many people?" "Right on every count," Scott said. "Only a few night watchmen." "This should be carefully checked," and Thornberry started for the door. Scott turned to the dispatcher. "Tell them just to keep the place under observation until I get there." There was an odd eagerness about the chief, odd until Bennington remembered Scott's grim analysis of Clarens' behavior, the chief's hope that Clarens would resist arrest. _And why do I now recall that time in Burma when I followed the wounded tiger into the cave?_ _What was I thinking of at the time?_ Thornberry had disappeared into the corridor, but for once even the prospect of immediate action was not enough to get the impetuous Mosby out the door ahead of Scott. _Was I thinking of mercy, that I could not let a wounded beast which could not destroy itself live with continual pain? Thornberry would never agree, but Clarens is certainly both wounded and incapable of self-destruction._ Thornberry was already seated in the back of the car. Mosby was ready to seat himself in the front, Scott was opening the door to slide in behind the driver's wheel, but Bennington did not change his steady pace.