A soft protest followed, but the thunderous major cut it short.
“If this gentleman has been trusted thus far, he can be trusted further,” he declared. “Why should we remain concealed in the houses of our friends? It is preposterous!”
A sharp moving about of furniture followed as though some one had pushed back a heavy chair; then footsteps were heard, the hangings parted and a burly, red-faced man entered the room.
[CHAPTER IV—TELLS WHAT BEFELL EZRA THEREIN]
Directly behind the red-faced man came Abdallah, and a small, weazened-looking youth, with the face of a ferret and the covert manners of a fox.
That Abdallah was not pleased with the situation was very evident. There was an angry light burning in the dark eyes; and though his manner was as suave as ever, his voice, as he spoke, had gained distinctly in sharpness.
“This,” said he, addressing Ezra, who had arisen, “is a gentleman who insisted upon making your acquaintance.”
Major Buckstone laughed loudly, and held out his hand to the boy.
“And that is the plain truth,” spoke he, with great heartiness of manner. “I am a bluff soldier, young sir, and I am always delighted to see those who do their work out in the open.”
As he said this, his eyes went quickly to Abdallah and the ferret-faced young man. It was the latter who made answer.