But the latter, barely looking at him, turned to the other officer to command:
“Search the trunk.”
“It is locked,” said Hal, stepping slowly forward. “Permit me to offer you the key.”
The officer who received it merely grunted, and immediately knelt before the trunk.
Hal stood by looking on, until one of the soldiers, after scowling at him an instant, darted forward and gave the boy a push.
“If I am in your way,” retorted Maynard, recovering his equilibrium, “won’t you be kind enough to say so?”
“Silence!” ordered the commanding officer.
Hal responded by a polite nod.
“These officers don’t belong to the mob, and they should be gentlemen,” he murmured. “If they’re not, it’s not for me to set them the example.”
Flop! went a lot of Hal’s clothing, strewed promiscuously over the floor.