[99]George noted a peculiar stress upon the last part of the sentence, and his mind began to cast about for its meaning. Almost instantly he caught it, and self-control alone prevented his exclaiming aloud. The papers given him to examine by General Putnam had named one Thomas Friend, a peddler, as a suspected person. Was Lieutenant Camp, in his guarded utterance, referring to this man? Like lightning George’s mind was made up; and with a calm voice and a careless manner he said:

[99]

“I came upon no peddlers to-day; but,” and he fixed his eyes steadily upon the other’s face, “peddlers are merchants of small degree, perhaps, and I had a visit yesterday from a merchant aboard ship.”

Recollection instantly swept into the lieutenant’s face; dropping his whip he brought his palms together with a smack.

“Now I remember where I saw you. It was on the wharf near ‘The Brigantine’ inn. I am glad indeed to meet you!” He seized George’s hand and shook it energetically; then he added, eagerly: “It was Dana who told you to come here?”

George nodded; he was afraid to do more,[100] not yet being sure of his ground. Young Camp sat down upon the settle and roared with laughter.

[100]

“No wonder,” he gasped, “you didn’t grasp my meaning readily. I thought it was Tom Friend, the peddler, who was to bring you here. By Jove, how you stared and winked.”

“The owl,” said George, “does a lot of staring and blinking. And it’s reckoned a wise bird for no other reason.”

“Right!” said Lieutenant Camp. “Right! What you did, you did well. I have no fault to find with you; the only hitch has been in my misinformation. I wonder,” said he, “just how that came about?”

“Sometimes,” replied George, slowly, “it chances that old men are erratic.”

Young Camp slapped his knee.

“There!” he cried. “I never gave a thought to that; and now you mention it, I have no doubt that is what’s to blame in this case.”

Here a waiter, under the personal direction of Mistress Trout, entered bearing George’s supper, smoking hot and very savory and[101] tempting. It was placed upon a table near the fire, which had been laid with a clean cloth, much white napery, and shining table ware. With great satisfaction, George sat down to it.

 Prev. P 46/155 next