Jerry Nickerson looked puzzled for a moment, and then emitted a low whistle. “By Jove! I had forgotten. It was a Jefferson Pennington who started the Richmond Importing Company, and whose widow gave your father so much trouble.”
“Exactly; and, for all I know, this lieutenant may be some relative of that man. He comes from Virginia.”
“That is rather far-fetched. Still, it may be; and, if I were you, I’d be for finding out.”
“I will find out—and pretty quick, too.”
“Hold on! You mustn’t let him know you are suspicious, Nuggy. Go to somebody else, and find out.”
“I am not afraid of him; and, if he has been playing the sneak, I’ll give him a bit of my mind, I can tell you that.”
“You must remember that he is an officer, and that his colonel is in control here. If you do anything rash, the young officer may have you put in the brig for it.”
“Do you think they would dare to go as far as that?” questioned Nuggy, looking much disturbed.
“They would dare do almost anything. On an expedition like this, private citizens are counted as being in the way, at the best.”
“Then, of course, I’ll have to pull in my horns, Jerry. But it makes me mad to think he may have been imposing on me.”