Mr. Glascock

“ As he was the only “field officer” at Fort Inge, it is unnecessary to say he was the commandant of the cantonment.
These gentlemen were conversing as freely as if all were subalterns of equal rank—the subject of the discourse being the incidents of the day.
“Now tell us, major!” said Hancock: “you must know. Where did the girl gallop to?”
“How should I know?” answered the officer appealed to. “Ask her cousin, Mr Cassius Calhoun.”
“We have asked him, but without getting any satisfaction. It’s clear he knows no more than we. ”

“ Hancock turned pages ruminatively.
“Those are good things” he said flattening the open page.
“Japanese flower Decorations” read Miriam looking at the reproduced squares of flowering branches arranged with a curious naturalness in strange flat dishes. They fascinated her at once—stiff and real, shooting straight up from the earth and branching out. They seemed coloured. She turned pages and gazed.
“How nice and queer.”
Mr. Hancock bent smiling. “They’ve got a whole science of this you know” he said; “it takes them years to learn it; they apprentice themselves and study for years....” ”

“ Glossin, for God's sake come away!"
"He'll hardly do that without help," said Hatteraick.
"What are you chattering there for, Mac-Guffog?" called out the captain from below.
"Come away, for God's sake. Mr. Glossin!" repeated the. turnkey.
At this moment the jailor made his appearance with a light. Great was his surprise, and even horror, to observe Glossin's body lying doubled across the iron bar, in a posture that excluded all idea of his being alive. Hatteraick was quietly stretched upon his pallet within a yard of his victim. On lifting Glossin, it was found he had been dead for some hours. ”

“ Let us look back, then, a little over the yellow, time-stained record of the letter-book before us, and see what were the experiences of a gentleman, in building and planting in Beacon Street, so long before our grandfathers were born.
Under date of the 5th of July, 1736, Hancock writes to his friend and constant correspondent in London, "Mr. Francis Wilks Esqr," [7] inclosing a letter to one James Glin at Stepney, with orders for some trees, concerning which he tells Wilks, "I am advised to have 'em bought,—but if you Can find any man Will Serve us Better I Leave it to your Pleasure." ”

“ Young Gamecock listened to the good dame's stories, told her he knew no fear, that the wind might whistle as it willed for him; and that if he owned such a mansion, that the old pictures should decorate the garrets, where the bats and sparrows held undisputed possession.
At last people began to notice that young Gamecock went very often to Rookwood Hall, and many surmises were soon [35] afloat. Mr. Crow, a cousin of the deceased Baronet's, laughed at the silly talk, as he called it, and said that her Ladyship was about to make Mr. Gamecock her bailiff. Mr. ”

“ Finding Greg Holmes in, Prescott imparted the wonderful news.
Greg leaped up delightedly, pumphandling his chum's arm and patting him on the back.
"Come out all right?" sputtered Holmes. "Of course it will, and
I always knew it would."
Meanwhile Cadet Jordan was surveying Henckley with a look of mingled rage, disgust and consternation.
"Now, you've gone and done it, you bull-necked, toad-brained idiot!" cried the elegant Mr. Jordan.
"Why didn't you pay up like a man, and this would never have happened," growled Henckley, rubbing the spot where Douglass had struck him.
"Pay up like a man?" ”

“ Hancock, conversationally, just as the light was lowered. Miriam glanced across the half circle of faintly shining faces and saw an effect, a smoothly coiffured head and smooth neck and shoulders draped by a low deep circular flounce of lace rising from the gloom of a dark dress, sweep in through a side door bending and swaying—“or a pretty dress at any rate”—and sat through the first minutes of the lecture, recalling the bearing and manner of the figure, with sad fierce bitterness. Mr. Hancock admired “feminine” women ... ”

“ But jump into the cab, and come and have luncheon, and we can talk things over."
"I can't," said Mr Hancock, "I am waiting for a lady—my sister, she has just gone into that shop. I'll tell you, I will see you, any time you like, to-morrow."
"Well, I suppose that must do. But sixteen pounds!—people seem to think I am made of money. I tell you what, Hancock, the great art in getting through life is to make yourself out a poor man—go about in an old coat and hat; you are just as comfortable, and you are not pestered by every beggar and beast that wants money." ”

“ But the youthfulness or brightness of Mr Hancock were indifferent to him absorbed as he was with his own thoughts.
"Well," said Hancock, finishing his letter with a flourish and leaning back in his chair.
"Aunt came to see me to-day," said Leavesley, "and I came on here at once. It's most disgraceful."
"What?"
"Bridgewater. You've got a man in your [Pg 265] office who is not to be trusted, a mischief-making old——"
"Dear me, what's all this? A man in the office not to be trusted? To whom do you refer?" ”

“ Hancock.”
“Well, to tell y’honestly I don’t think y’ll be able to do anything with Hancock.” Mrs. Orly’s distressed little face supported his opinion, and her surprising sudden little embrace and Mr. Orly’s wringing handshake meant not only the enduring depths of their kindliness but their pained dismay in seeing her desolate and resourceless, their certainty that there was no hope. It threw a strong light. It would be difficult for him to withdraw; perhaps impossible ”

“ If not, you can go and get the police to help."
"Time may be precious," hesitated Glasson.
"Mine is, anyway," Mr. Hucks retorted. "Let me see you out. No, it's no trouble. I'm goin' to look into this affair right away."
He handed the Doctor his lantern, opened the door for him, and walked with him three parts of the way across the yard. As they passed the caravan door his quick ear noted a strange sound within. It resembled the muffled yap of a dog. But Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer did not keep a dog.
He halted. "There's the gate. Good night," he said, and stood watching while Glasson passed out. ”

“ He was, as we know, the old and special acquaintance of the prisoner who was now under his charge. After giving the turnkey a glass of brandy, and sounding him with one or two cajoling speeches, Glossin made it his request that he would help him to an interview with Dirk Hatteraick. ‘Impossible! utterly impossible! it’s contrary to the express orders of Mr. Mac-Morlan, and the captain (as the head jailor of a county jail is called in Scotland) would never forgie me.’
‘But why should he know of it?’ said Glossin, slipping a couple of guineas into Mac-Guffog’s hand. ”

“ He determined to be a martinet with the men in ranks under him. He made the mistake that all petty, senseless tyrants do. The great disciplinarian is never needlessly a tyrant.
* * * * * * * *
The summer in camp passed quickly after July had gone.
In all, Miss Griffin made four visits to West Point that summer. Greg became her favored and eager escort, to the disappointment of fifty men who would have been glad to take his place.
Both Cadet Holmes and Mr. Griffin's very pretty sister kept up their attitudes of laughing challenge to each other throughout the summer. ”

“ Mrs. Hancock had stationed herself strategically near the window, so that she could easily stroll out with Mr. Martin.
"There you are," she said; "and you've both been good and not waited too long. Now let us have some music. There's room for you here, Mr. Martin. Who will begin—you, Edward, or Elizabeth? I meant to have got some duets for you, and then you could have played together. What is that, Edward?"
"A telegram for Elizabeth," he said.
"Open it then, dear," said Mrs. Hancock to the girl. "We'll excuse you." ”

“ Dick went on in a distressed tone. "Even for my own peace of mind I must have it over with as early as possible. Mr. Page, the boy is now roaming the woods armed with a shotgun and a revolver. He is a fugitive from justice."
"What is that you say?" cried Mr. Page, his face growing haggard and ghastly. "My boy——my son—-a fugitive from justice!"
"He may not be your son, sir," broke in Tom Colquitt.
Then the whole story came out. With it Dick described the birthmarks he had seen on Tag when the latter was at the swimming pool.
"That's my boy—-my son!" declared Mr. Page. "And, oh! ”

“ And since you said that his absence was your only ground for your dreadfully foolish idea, I think we may consider that we've disposed of that. Now let us look about us and enjoy ourselves. Oh, there's a windmill! How its sails are going round!"
Mrs. Hancock cast a slightly questioning glance at her daughter to see if Mr. Martin's wonderful prescription was acting at once, like laughing-gas, and, finding that Edith still sat serious and silent, proceeded to administer other fortifying medicines.
"He has often told us to busy ourselves with plans and thoughts for others," she said. ”

“ Lightfoot's ears, Major,” he cautioned, “for I happen to know that she prides herself upon being what the papers call a 'skulker.'” He stopped and rose heavily to his feet, for, at this point, the door was opened by Cupid and the old lady rustled stiffly into the room.
“I came down to tell you, Mr. Lightfoot, that you really must not allow yourself to become excited,” she explained, when the rector had comfortably settled her upon the hearth-rug.
“Pish! tush! my dear, there's not a cooler man in Virginia,” replied the Major, frowning ”

“ Holmes."
"Boys," spoke that gentleman suddenly, "who owns that gasoline launch yonder?"
"Mr. Edward Atwater," Dick answered.
"That looks like a powerful reflector light on the bow."
"Yes, it is, sir," Dave volunteered.
"Where does Mr. Atwater live?"
"On Benson Avenue," Tom Reade replied.
"Boys, I'm going over and see if I can induce Mr. Atwater to take us up the river to-night."
"May we go, too, sir?" begged Dick anxiously.
"Yes; if you get your parents' permission. We may be up the river late to-night."
Mr. Holmes turned on his heel, going away at a walk that was close to a run. ”

“ See here, Tag, I don't want you faking any injuries as a slick way to——-"
"You get outside, my man!" broke in Detective Colquitt quietly, but he took hold of the deputy so forcibly that Valden was quickly on the outside of the tent.
"Now, you come along with me, my man," Colquitt continued, "and I'll tell you who's who. First of all, this boy is Mr. Page's son. Mr. Page can produce all kinds of money merely by signing a check. He is indignant with you, already, for maltreating his son when you had him under arrest at another time. Mr. ”

“ Dick went on, brightening.
"Money talks, I've heard."
"And talks in every language," added Reade. "Mr. Page, a lot of men who are not police or peace officers will be out hunting for young Mr. Page. 'Tag Mosher' will be more eagerly sought for than ever before in his life.
"I don't see how Tag has a ghost of a show to get away," observed
Dave Darrin.
"Whew, but I'm thirsty," remarked Dr. Bentley, going over to the spot where the drinking dipper hung. "And it looks as though it were my turn to go after water."
"Is there no water there?" Prescott inquired. ”

“ Hancock’s unanswered letters went into the same drawer, leaving her table fairly clear. Mr. Leyton’s door burst open, he clattered down the basement stairs. Miriam went into his room and washed her hands in the corner basin under the patent unleaking taps. Everything was splashed over with permanganate of potash. The smell of the room combined all the dental drugs with the odour of leather—a volunteer officer’s accoutrements lay in confusion all over on the secretaire. Beside them stood an open pot of leather polish. Mr. and Mrs. Orly passed the open door and went downstairs. They were alone. ”

“ Holmes," discovered Laura. "What a remarkably pretty girl with him."
"Mr. Griffin's sister," said Dick.
"Isn't that Mr. Dodge?" murmured Laura.
Dick only half turned, but his sidelong glance covered the doorway.
"Yes; he appears to be stagging it."
Bert presently disappeared. As a cadet always claims the first number or two with the young lady whom he has "dragged" hither, "staggers" have to wait until later in the programme.
Then, presently the music for the opening dance struck up. Dick had already presented Furlong, a "stagger," to Mrs. Bentley, so that she was not left alone. ”

“ Mr Hancock elected to wait outside, and he waited.
It was an unfortunate shop for a man to wait before: there was nothing in the windows but lingerie; the shop on the left of it was a bonnet shop, and the establishment on the right was a bar.
So he had to wait, standing on the kerbstone, in full view of mankind. In two minutes three men passed who knew him, and in the middle of the fourth minute old Sir Henry Tempest, one of his best clients, who was driving by in a hansom, stopped, got out and button-holed him.
"Just the man I want to see, what a piece of luck! I was going to your office. ”

“ Cleek," resumed the Captain, after he could master his emotion. "That is the case—that is the riddle I am praying to Heaven that you may be able to solve. What the mysterious power is, when, where, or how it got into the room and got at the boy, God alone knows. Mr. Harmstead will swear that he never let the little fellow out of his arms for one solitary instant between the time of our leaving him just after midnight, and Miss Comstock's coming in in the morning. ”