If you can get
into the good graces of--But there is no use counting on that. They
are too clever. There is too much at stake. You might go there for
weeks and--"
"See here, Mr. Sprouse or whatever your name is, what do you take me
for?" demanded Barnes, assuming an injured air. "You have the most
monumental nerve in--"
"Save your breath, Mr. Barnes. We may just as well get together on
this thing first as last. I've told you what I am,--and almost who,--
and I know who and what you are. You don't suppose for an instant that
I, with a record for having made fewer blunders than any man in the
service, could afford to take a chance with you unless I was
absolutely sure of my ground, do you? You ask me what I take you for.
Well, I take you for a meddler who, if given a free rein, may upset
the whole pot of beans and work an irreparable injury to an honest
cause."
"A meddler, am I? Good morning, Mr. Sprouts. I fancy--"
"Sprouse. But the name doesn't matter. Keep your seat. You may learn
something that will be of untold value to you. I used the word meddler
in a professional sense. You are inexperienced. You would behave like
a bull in a china shop. I've been working for nearly six months on a
job that you think you can clear up in a couple of days.
Pages:
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198