to deliver it, Grandfather," he said hotly. "He had all but
called me a liar and--and by George, I wasn't going to--"

His grandfather held up a warning hand.

"Sshh! Ssh!" he said. "Go on with your yarn, boy."

Albert told of the lame horse, of his effort to hire another team, and
finally how in desperation he had engaged Ves Young as a last resort.
The captain's face was serious but there was the twinkle under his heavy
brows. He pulled at his beard.

"Humph!" he grunted. "Did you know Ves and Simp had been drinkin' when
you hired 'em?"

"Of course I didn't. After they had gone Issy said he suspected that
they had been drinking a little, but _I_ didn't know it. All I wanted
was to prove to HIM," with a motion toward Mr. Calvin, "that I kept my
word."

Captain Zelotes pulled at his beard. "All right, Al," he said, after a
moment; "you can go."

Albert went out of the private office. After he had gone the captain
turned to his irate customer.

"I'm sorry this happened, Mr. Calvin," he said, "and if Keeler or I had
been here it probably wouldn't. But," he added, "as far as I can see,
the boy did what he thought was the best thing to do. And," the twinkle
reappeared in the gray eyes, "you sartinly did get your lumber when
'twas promised."

Mr. Calvin stiffened. He had his good points, but he suffered from what
Laban Keeler once called "ingrowin' importance," and this ailment often
affected his judgment. Also he had to face Mrs. Calvin upon his return
home.

"Do I understand," he demanded, "that you are excusing that young man
for putting that outrage upon me?"

"We-ll, as I say, I'm sorry it happened. But, honest, Mr. Calvin, I
don't know's the boy's to blame so very much, after all. He delivered
your lumber, and that's somethin'."

"Is that all you have to say, Captain Snow? Is that--that impudent young
clerk of yours to go unpunished?"

"Why, yes, I guess likely he is."

"Then I shall NEVER buy another dollar's worth of your house again,
sir."

Captain Zelotes bowed. "I'm sorry to lose your trade, Mr. Calvin," he
said. "Good mornin'."

Albert, at his desk in the outer office, was waiting rebelliously to be
called before his grandfather and upbraided. And when so called he was
in a mood to speak his mind. He would say a few things, no matter what
happened in consequence. But he had no chance to say them. Captain
Zelotes did not mention the Calvin affair to him, either that day or
afterward. Albert