“I came thousands of miles to see him.”
“That makes no difference. You have got to leave him alone, so long as Mrs. Bartlett wishes it.”
“Is that another of your orders?”
“It is. And, let me add, I am going to see that it is enforced. If you are caught around that house again without the lady’s permission, I will have you placed under arrest, and stowed away in the Tien-Tsin prison. That prison is about the worst hole I have yet seen; and, if you know when you are well off, you’ll do your best to keep out of it.”
“You think you are big because you are a lieutenant,” blustered Nuggy.
“I am big enough to handle you, Polk. Now you go about your business, and”—Gilbert put a peculiar emphasis to the words—“don’t try to steal any more letters. They are easily duplicated, and such work may land you in prison.”
For the instant Nuggy Polk glared at the young lieutenant. Then he turned on his heel, and made down the roadway at a rapid walk. At a far corner Jerry Nickerson was waiting for him, and the pair soon passed out of sight.
CHAPTER XXV
“ON TO PEKIN”
“I am very glad you came when you did,” exclaimed Mrs. Bartlett, when Gilbert reappeared at the house. “If you had not come, I do not know what I should have done.”
She spoke in a whisper, so that her husband might not be disturbed again. Jennie had gone to the sufferer, and administered a quieting draught; and he was now in a fitful doze.