Part 8 (1/2)
”Oughtn't we to finish with Kasker, first?” she asked, hesitatingly, for she respected Josie's judgment.
The girl detective laughed.
”I've an impression we've already finished with him--unless I really give him that shaking,” she replied. ”I'll admit that such a person is mischievous and ought to be shut up, either by jailing him or putting a plaster over his mouth, but I can't believe Jake Kasker guilty of those circulars.”
”Why not?” in an aggrieved tone.
”Well, in spite of his disloyal mutterings, his deeds are loyal. He's disgruntled over the loss of his son, and doesn't care who knows it, but he'll stand pat and spank the kid if he doesn't fight like a tartar. He hates the war--perhaps we all hate it, in a way--but he'll buy Liberty Bonds and help win a victory. I know that sort; they're not dangerous; just at war with themselves, with folly and honesty struggling for the mastery. Let him alone and in a few months you'll find Kasker making patriotic speeches.”
”Oh, Josie!”
”Think of someone else.”
Mary Louise shook her head.
”What, only one string to your bow of distrust? Fie, Mary Louise! When you were selling Liberty Bonds, did you meet with no objectors?”
”Well--yes; there's a wholesale grocer here, who is named Silas Herring, a very rich man, but sour and disagreeable.”
”Did he kick on the bonds?”
”Yes.”
”Then tell me all about him.”
”When I first entered his office, Mr. Herring made insulting remarks about the bonds and accused our government of being dominated by the English. He was very bitter in his remarks, but in his office were two other men who remonstrated with him and--”
”What were the two men doing there?”
”Why, they were talking about something, when I entered; I didn't hear what, for when they saw me they became silent.”
”Were they clerks, or grocers--customers?”
”No; one was our supervisor, Andrew Duncan--”
”And the other man?” asked Josie.
”Our superintendent of schools, Professor Dyer.”
”Oh; then they were talking politics.”
”I suppose likely. I was obliged to argue with Mr. Herring and became so incensed that I threatened him with the loss of his trade. But Mr.
Duncan at once subscribed for Liberty Bonds, and so did Professor Dyer, and that shamed Silas Herring into buying a big bunch of them also.”
”H-m-m,” murmured Josie contentedly. ”Then neither of the three had purchased any bonds until then?”
”I think not. Gran'pa Jim had himself tried to sell Mr. Herring and had been refused.”
”I see. How much did the supervisor invest in bonds?”