Glancing around him, the officer realised the truth of the remark, and would have turned away but that Hardy stepped yet nearer, and, in a louder voice, cried:
"Will you give me the money now, or shall I visit the Custom House again?"
"Hark you, lad," Lieutenant Draper said, angrily, but speaking so low that only those in the immediate vicinity could hear the words, "if you dare present your barber's account to me in public, I'll have you punished for an insolent cur. When I am ready to pay your master, I will call at his shop."
"The account belongs to me. It has been turned over by Master Piemont, and the money must be paid."
"Be careful of your words, my fine fellow, or they will lead you into trouble!"
The lieutenant was now almost beside himself with anger, and, understanding that he might do something rash, his brother officers literally forced him to accompany them up the street, while the barber's apprentice, not wishing to leave the scene of what he considered his triumph, hurled insolent epithets after the soldiers.
"What are you doing, Hardy Baker? Do you want to bring about a riot?"