第88章

"The blazes I ain't!" he shrieked."Who says I ain't? Is that any of your business, Mr.--Mr.Brass Monkey? What's you or the United States gov'ment got to say about my mentionin' names? To the devil with the United States and you, too! You hear that?"Major Grover smiled."Yes," he said, quietly."I hear it.So does Mr.Winslow here, and Mrs.Armstrong.They can be called as witnesses if it is necessary.You had better let me finish, Babbitt.As I say, you are not to mention Mrs.Armstrong's name, you are not to repeat or circulate any scandal or story reflecting upon her character--""Or her brother's either," put in Jed, eagerly."Tell him he can't talk against Charlie, either.""Certainly.You are not to repeat or circulate anything derogatory to the character of either Mrs.Armstrong or Mr.Phillips.In any way derogatory."Phineas tossed both fists in the air.

"You can't order me around that way," he yelled."Besides, if you knew what I know about that gang you'd--""Hush! I don't want to know anything you know--or pretend to know.

As for ordering you about--well, we'll see.""I tell you you can't.You ain't got the right.""Perhaps not.But I have the right to use my discretion--my judgment in your case.And my judgment is that if I hear one scandalous story about town reflecting upon the character of Mrs.

Armstrong or her brother--yes, or her friends--I shall know who is responsible and I shall have you arrested and held for trial as an enemy of the country.You condemned the United States to the devil only a moment ago in my hearing.Do you think that would help you in court, Babbitt? I don't."The little man's face was a sight.As Jed said afterward, he looked as if he would have enjoyed biting his way out of the shop.

"Huh!" he snarled; "I see.You're all in together, the whole lot of you.And you, you brass buttons, you're usin' your soldierin'

job to keep your friends out of trouble....Huh! Yes, that's what you're doin'."The Major's smile was provokingly cool.

"Perhaps I am," he admitted."But I shouldn't advise you to forget what I have just told you, Babbitt.I mean every word of it."It was Ruth who spoke next.She uttered a startled exclamation.

"There's some one coming up the walk," she cried."Listen."Sure enough, heavy footsteps sounded upon the walk leading from the front gate to the shop.Jed ran to the window.

"It's Sam," he exclaimed."Good heavens above! It's Sam Hunniwell, of all folks--now!"Grover looked from one face to the other.

"Is there any particular reason why Captain Hunniwell shouldn't come?" he asked.

Jed and Ruth were silent.Phineas chuckled malevolently.Jed heard the chuckle and spoke.

"'Twas--'twas Cap'n Sam he was goin' to tell," he whispered, pointing at Babbitt.Ruth caught her breath with a frightened gasp.

Grover nodded."Oh, I see," he said."Well, I don't think he will.He'll be more--more--careful, I'm sure.Babbitt, remember."They heard the captain rattle the latch of the front door.Ruth opened the door behind her."I must go, Jed," she whispered.

"I--I can't stay."

The Major turned."I'll go with you, Mrs.Armstrong," he said.

But Jed leaned forward.

"I--I wish you'd stay, Major Grover," he whispered."I--I'd like to have you stay here just a minute or two."Grover hesitated.Ruth went out, closing the living-room door after her.A moment later Captain Sam came into the workshop.

"Hello, Jed!" he hailed."Why, hello, Major! What--" Then for the first time he saw and recognized the third member of the group.

He looked at Phineas and the little man looked at him.The looks were studies in expression.

"Humph!" grunted Captain Sam."What in time--?...Humph!...

Well, Phin, you look awful glad to see me, I must say.Gracious king, man, don't glower at me like that! I haven't done anything to you, if you'd only have sense enough to believe it."Babbitt did not answer.He looked as if he were going to burst.

Major Grover was regarding him with a whimsical twinkle in his eye.

"Mr.Babbitt and I have just been discussing some points connected with the war," he observed."I don't know that we agree, exactly, but we have--well, we have reached an understanding."The captain was plainly puzzled."Humph!" he grunted."You don't say!...Well, I-- Eh, what is it, Jed?"If any one had been watching Jed particularly during the recent few minutes they might have observed in his face the dawning of an idea and the changing of that idea into a set purpose.The idea seemed to dawn the moment after he saw Captain Hunniwell coming up the walk.It had become a purpose by the time the captain rattled the latch.While Captain Sam and the major were speaking he had hastened to the old desk standing by the wall and was rummaging in one of the drawers.Now he came forward.

"Sam--" he began, but broke off to address Mr.Babbitt, who was striding toward the door."Don't go, Phin," he cried."I'd rather you didn't go just this minute.I'd like to have you stay.Please."Phineas answered over his shoulder.The answer was a savage snarl and a command for "Shavings" to mind his own business.Grover spoke then.

"Mr.Babbitt," he suggested, "don't you think you had better stay a moment? Mr.Winslow seems to wish it."Babbitt reached for the handle of the door, but Grover's hand was lightly laid on his shoulder.

"Do stay, Mr.Babbitt," begged the Major, sweetly."To oblige me, you know."Phineas swore with such vehemence that the oath might have been heard across the road.What he might have said thereafter is a question.At that moment his attention was caught by something which Jed Winslow had in his hands and he stayed to stare at it.

The something was a bundle of crumpled banknotes.