"Sure you'll forget It!" he persisted, very much perturbed. "I don't
mean my abusing you, or the runaway, or--or--I mean I had an accident
after I left you at the express office. Someone hailed me--but you know,
you know!"
The colonel cast a penetrating look on Bart, who shook his head
negatively.
"I don't know, Colonel," he declared.
"Oh, come, now!" croaked the colonel, making a ghastly attempt to give
the statement the aspect of a joke. Honest, you didn't hear anyone call
to me?"
"No," replied Bart.
The cab drove up and halted.
"Don't do any talking. Don't start any gossip about--about--of course
you won't! I've got your word. You're a truthful, reliable boy,
Stirling, and I--I respect you," stumbled on the colonel. "Mum's the
word, and I'll--I'll make you no trouble, see?"
"Thank you, Colonel Harrington," said Bart in a queer tone.
The colonel again regarded him penetratingly, and then got into the cab.
He took the trouble of leaning out and waving his hand as the vehicle
started up. He smiled in a sickly way at Bart, and once made a movement
as if inclined to get out and once more suggest to the young express
agent that he "forget it.
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