“Oh, pshaw! I am not going to worry about that. Why, if we make a fine showing who will get the credit? Captain Putnam, Jack Ruddy, and the other officers.”
“I am not going to make a good showing for Jack Ruddy’s benefit,” growled Paxton.
“I was thinking of something,” resumed Reff Ritter, slowly. “I wonder if we could manage it.”
“Manage what?” asked the two others.
“Manage to make a whole lot of trouble for Jack Ruddy and his crowd. It falls in with the first idea I had.”
“I’d like to do it!” declared Paxton.
“Same here,” added Coulter. “Only show us a safe and sure way.”
“You know how Ruddy keeps himself in the very best of condition all the time.”
“We couldn’t help but know that.”
“Well, supposing we spoilt that condition for him? Supposing we made his sword and its scabbard look rusty, his buttons dull, and his uniform full of spots? How would that strike those officers and Captain Putnam when that inspection came off?”