“You look serious, lieutenant,” observed the major, as he dropped in a chair beside Gilbert.
“I feel a bit serious,” was the answer, with a quiet smile. “Major, I should like your advice.”
“You are welcome to it. Do you want to know what I think of that young man you pointed out to me?”
“Yes.”
“I think he is an equal compound of conceit and slyness,—a fellow who is to be trusted as far as you can see him, and no more.”
“He has taken the pains to find out who I am.”
“I don’t wonder at it. I am surprised he didn’t do so before.”
“As he now knows who I am, he must know that I am interested in the case which my mother brought against the Richmond Importing Company.”
“Undoubtedly, and he will do all he can to head you off—providing you make any movement he thinks detrimental to his or his father’s interests.”
“That is what I have been thinking, and I’m wondering if it would be worth while to fight the thing.”