Part 17 (2/2)
Philip was flattered by this compliment, and looked as if he had quite overwhelmed Harry with his sarcasm.
”However,” continued Congreve, ”we had better proceed to business.
Philip feels aggrieved, and he expects satisfaction.”
”Are we to fight a duel?” thought Harry, who did not in the least comprehend what was coming.
”What sort of satisfaction?” he asked.
”You'll see!” said Philip, triumphantly.
Congreve, who was standing beside Harry, handed the ball of cord to Philip, saying:
”I will hold him, while you tie his hands and feet.”
”What!” exclaimed Harry, starting.
”We propose to tie you hand and foot and leave you here,” said Congreve, coolly. ”It will subject you to some inconvenience, and you may have to remain here all night; but it will teach you not to interfere with my friend Philip again.”
”Is that what you invited me to come out here for?” asked Harry.
”Yes.”
”Pretending to need my services as a guide?”
”My dear fellow, there was no pretense about that. We selected this wood as well adapted for our purpose, and, as I was not familiar with the locality, I thought it best for all reasons to hire you to guide me.”
”So I have walked into a trap, and lost my time in the bargain,” said Harry, bitterly.
”Oh, no; you haven't lost your time. I agreed to pay you fifty cents, didn't I?”
”Yes.”
”Well, here it is. I generally fulfil my contracts.”
Congreve drew from his pocket two silver quarters, and handed them to Harry with a bow.
”That's right, isn't it?” he asked.
”Yes,” said Harry, mentally deciding that James Congreve was the queerest fellow he had ever met.
”Good! You can't complain of any violation of contract. Now, will you remain quiet while I tie you, or must we use force?”
”Wait a minute!” said Harry, deciding to try the effect of an appeal to Congreve, who appeared to have some sense of honor. ”I think you don't understand what pa.s.sed between Philip and myself. Let me explain.”
”No, thank you. It would only be wasting your time,” said Congreve, with a languid wave of his hand. ”I quite understand that Philip here was playing the bully----”
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