CHAPTER IV
TELLS HOW THE BULLY CHANGED HIS MIND AND
HOW GEORGE WAS SENT FOR IN HASTE
This discovery, as may well be imagined, increased the interest which George Prentiss felt in his surroundings; the aspect of his ill-mannered, loud-mouthed table companion immediately underwent a change. From a hired bully, the fellow was at once transformed into something more subtle—a spy—a creature whose employment was as underhand as his appearance was blunt. But what made the occasion more surprising than anything else was that the spy was, apparently, in the pay of Major Hyde—and the object of his surveillance was perhaps the major’s uncle.
And so as the burly man listened to the conversation at Mr. Camp’s table, George listened also, proceeding leisurely with his dinner, and always keeping his eyes upon the face opposite him.
Mr. Camp still clung to the political situation as a subject for remark.
“Brother will be arrayed against brother,” said he, “and father against son. The separations and heart burnings will be dreadful to think about, for it is really civil war that these rogues seek to bring upon us.”
“But,” said Mr. Dana, earnestly, “would it not be well to wait until matters are further developed before prophesying evil?”
Mr. Camp grew irate at this. “Hah!” cried he. “Let me assure you, sir, that it requires no prophet here. The things that I speak of have already come to pass. My nephew Robert Hyde has gone over to the enemies of the king, as you know. And I ask you to look at Harry here. What uniform does he wear? They have poisoned him also with their doctrines; nothing will do him but that the king’s officers be taken by the scruff of the neck and bundled on board ship, never to return.”
“A gentleman must always follow the dictates of his conscience,” returned Harry. “Yours leads you to support the king—mine impels me in other directions.”
“Impel is a very good word,” commented Merchant Camp, addressing Dana. “I could not pick one that described it better if I tried. But,” and he turned to Herbert, “look you, young man. You are not the only one that feels the impulse of change. It has occurred to me many times of late that my will also needs a bit of altering.”
For a brief moment George, who had turned his head, saw Herbert Camp’s face go blank.