Part 56 (1/2)

”Huh!” he snarled; ”I see. You're all in together, the whole lot of you. And you, you bra.s.s b.u.t.tons, 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.

”h.e.l.lo, Jed!” he hailed. ”Why, h.e.l.lo, 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?”