“I can understand that very well,” said Ben, groping in the dark, but determined to go as far as he might in the matter. “These are troublous times in more ways than one.”
“Indeed, yes,” said Master Bleekwood. “Indeed, yes, sir.” His eyes wandered back to the spot where he had greeted Ben, and he added: “That is—ah—your friend, I take it?”
Ben glanced in the same direction as his companion and saw Paddy engaged in what seemed a most interesting conversation with the landlord.
“Yes,” replied Ben, nodding, “that is my friend.”
“He seems over young for one who has caused so much unrest,” complained Master Bleekwood. “But,” as he shook his head sadly, “one cannot go by ages in these strange times. Why, they say Lafayette himself is not yet twenty.”
“No more than that, at the most,” spoke Ben.
“And to think that one so youthful must have so much power invested in his personality,” sighed the melancholy Bleekwood. “It’s a most strange thing, sir, most strange.”
“Lafayette, you mean, of course,” said Ben.
“Eh? Oh, no, no! Your—ah—friend, yonder. He has told what he knows, to be sure; but that matters little. What is to be guarded against is his testimony, should any slip ever be made and the entire matter come to a—well—ah—public hearing.”
“I see,” said Ben.