“Don’t you dare proceed against us!” cried Mr. Doolittle. “If you try to make use of the information we gave you I’ll have you disbarred. You don’t dare!”
“Oh, yes I do dare,” was the calm assurance. “In fact I have just made up my mind that I will endeavor to find this young man and his mother, and see what I can do to make restitution to them. I feel that I would be concealing a crime if I did not. I wish I could see this Tom Taylor—”
“You’re going to see him!” exclaimed Tom. “Come on, Sam!”
He fairly jumped up the stairs, three at a time, Sam following. At the head of the second flight was a door similar to the one they had first entered. Without knocking, Tom entered. He came at a dramatic moment.
Mr. Doolittle and Captain Hawkesbury had arisen, and were facing the lawyer. Mr. Royse was a big man, and he remained seated. It was easy to see that he was not at all alarmed. Righteous indignation showed in his face. At the entrance of Tom and Sam the two conspirators faced about suddenly.
“You—here?” gasped Mr. Doolittle.
“Tom Taylor!” echoed Captain Hawkesbury. “How dare you leave the Academy?” he demanded, too flustered, evidently, to return the salute which Tom and Sam gave with military precision.
“We have a permit, Captain Hawkesbury,” Tom said, calmly. “I beg your pardon, sir,” he went on to the lawyer, “but I accidentally overheard you express a wish to see me.”
“To see you? I’m afraid I haven’t the honor of—”
“I’m Tom Taylor, a cadet at the United States Military Academy,” Tom said. “It is my father’s land those two men sold to the railroad,” and he pointed an accusing finger.