"Until you do, I obey official instructions," announced Bart. "Please do not degrade yourself and embarrass me, Colonel Harrington, by saying anything further on this score. I will not sell my honor, nor swerve a hair's breadth from a line of duty plain and clear. The package you refer to was legally purchased by the highest bidder, I hold it temporarily in trust for him. It is as safe and sacred with me as if it was the property of the First National Bank of Pleasantville."
Colonel Harrington squirmed, got red and pale by turns, gripped his cane fiercely, and then, relaxed with a groan.
"It's my property!" he declared. "I can prove it's my property."
"Then I suggest that you persuade the person who bought it of that fact," said Bart.
"Say!" shot out the colonel eagerly, his eye brightening, "if I bring an order from that same person, will you give up the package?"
Bart hesitated.
"You know where he is, then?" he inquired suspiciously.
"I—I might find him," stammered the military man.
"I do not think I would," said Bart. "Bring him here personally, and I will hand it over to him—in your presence, if he says so."
The colonel groaned again. It was plainly to be seen that he was in an intense inward frenzy.