"Helping you to do what?"
"To get out the bids." His courage was waxing a little.
"For what purpose?" went on the cross questions.
"To take them over to my quarters and keep them safe."
"Yes?" said Landor. The inflection was not pleasing. It caused Brewster to answer somewhat weakly, "Yes."
"Do you think, sir, that you could tell that to twelve officers and make them believe it?"
Brewster was silent, but he neither flinched nor cowered, nor yet shifted his eyes.
Landor turned to the citizen. "Where is your bid, Mr. Lawton?"
"I ain't put it in yet," he stammered feebly.
"Don't put it in, then. Leave the reservation to-night. You understand me, do you? Now go!"