"I'll have
the things here just as early in the morning as I can get them. I'm
going to put out the lantern, but I will then hand it over to you with
some matches. It has got a shade, and you can focus the rays so they
will not show outside. Here are a couple of magazines--I brought them
from the house."
"You're mighty kind," said the refugee. "Hold on. I want to tell you
something. Of course you think I'm acting strange. Some day, though, if
things come out right, I'll explain to you, and you will say I did just
right. There's another thing: you may think from my actions I am some
desperate character. I hope I may burn up right in this shed to-night if
I'm not telling the truth when I say to you that I never touched a
dishonored penny, never harmed a soul, never did a wrong thing
knowingly."
"I have confidence in your word, Mr. Baker," said Bart simply.
"Thank you, I'll prove I deserve it yet," declared the strange man.
There was a spell of silence. Finally Bart decided to venture a question
on a theme he was very curious about.
"Do you know Colonel Jeptha Harrington?" he asked suddenly.
"Hoo--eh?"
He had startled Baker--his incoherent mutterings persuaded Bart of
this.
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