"You see how easily a chap like Evarts can be disposed of," smiled Mr.
Prenter.
"He'll send back again for another try, within an hour," prophesied Mr.
Bascomb, wearily.
"If he does," laughed Dick Prescott, shortly, "his second appeal won't
come by the same messenger."
"Then you were near us, Mr. Prenter, when Evarts and the negro charged us?"
Tom inquired.
"I was," smiled the treasurer. "That convicts me of cowardice, doesn't it,
in not having come to your aid at the moment of attack? I wasn't quite as
big a coward as I would seem, though. The truth is, I was behind you. Had
I jumped in in that exciting moment, you would have thought other enemies
were attacking from behind. You would have been confused and would have
lost the fight."
"By Jove, sir, but that was quick thinking and shrewdness on your part!"
ejaculated Dick Prescott.
"Then you acquit me of cowardice?"
"No," smiled the young army officer, "for I hadn't thought of accusing you
of lack of courage."
"I am glad you didn't," sighed the treasurer. "I would rather be suspected
of almost anything than of lacking manly courage. Afterwards I didn't make
my presence known to you, for, at that time, I didn't want you to know that
I had overheard a certain conversation.
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