This difficulty had its bearing upon his reputation, upon his comfort, and even upon the efficient performance of his duties.

For, if Michaelis no doubt knew something about this outrage, the Chief Inspector was fairly certain that he did not know too much.

This was just as well.

He knew much less--the Chief Inspector was positive--than certain other individuals he had in his mind, but whose arrest seemed to him inexpedient, besides being a more complicated matter, on account of the rules of the game.

The rules of the game did not protect so much Michaelis, who was an ex-convict.