He had about reached this conclusion, when he saw a tall figure turn in from the street toward the inn door. At a glance the lad recognized Tobias Hawkins; the next moment the man upon the bench had arisen to greet the newcomer, and he, in turn, Ben knew, even in the indifferent light and though his back was turned, as the man with the yellow smile.
CHAPTER XI
TELLS HOW BEN COOPER LISTENED TO SOME
ASTONISHING REVELATIONS
From the manner of the men, it was evident that the coming of Tobias Hawkins was no surprise to his friend. Indeed, the latter had been, it was evident, patiently awaiting him; and now the eagerness in his manner showed plainly that he attached some importance to the arrival.
“I had about given up all hope of you,” said the man with the yellow smile, his first words showing the truth of the lad’s discernment.
“I said I would reach here as soon after nine o’clock as I could. To be sure, it is somewhat after that; but I could not finish my business earlier.”
“The hour at which it is finished,” said the other, “does not greatly matter. The question is, how did you succeed?”
Tobias Hawkins laughed and in the sound of that laugh Ben caught something like triumph.
“Success,” said the man, “is so easily won, that there is no credit in it. But let us go inside where we can talk quietly.”
“It would be much better if we remained where we are,” said the other, looking about. “The inn is filled with madmen, I think. They can do nothing but rave over the defeat of Washington and the flight of Congress.”
Hawkins, after a cautious glance about, seated himself upon the bench. A small cedar in a tub concealed the window at which Ben sat; the boy could see only the crowns of the two hats over the high back of the bench, but the delighted sound that came from Hawkins told him that the man was chuckling.