or the United
States gov'ment got to say about my mentionin' names? To the devil
with the United States and you, too! You hear that?"

Major Grover smiled. "Yes," he said, quietly. "I hear it. So
does Mr. Winslow here, and Mrs. Armstrong. They can be called as
witnesses if it is necessary. You had better let me finish,
Babbitt. As I say, you are not to mention Mrs. Armstrong's name,
you are not to repeat or circulate any scandal or story reflecting
upon her character--"

"Or her brother's either," put in Jed, eagerly. "Tell him he can't
talk against Charlie, either."

"Certainly. You are not to repeat or circulate anything derogatory
to the character of either Mrs. Armstrong or Mr. Phillips. In any
way derogatory."

Phineas tossed both fists in the air.

"You can't order me around that way," he yelled. "Besides, if you
knew what I know about that gang you'd--"

"Hush! I don't want to know anything you know--or pretend to know.
As for ordering you about--well, we'll see."

"I tell you you can't. You ain't got the right."

"Perhaps not. But I have the right to use my discretion--my
judgment in your case. And my judgment is that if I hear one
scandalous story about town reflecting upon the character of Mrs.
Armstrong or her brother--yes, or her friends--I shall know who is
responsible and I shall have you arrested and held for trial as an
enemy of the country. You condemned the United States to the devil
only a moment ago in my hearing. Do you think that would help you
in court, Babbitt? I don't."

The little man's face was a sight. As Jed said afterward, he
looked as if he would have enjoyed biting his way out of the shop.

"Huh!" he snarled; "I see. You're all in together, the whole lot
of you. And you, you brass buttons, 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.