“You’re not going soon, then?”
“I should say not! Do you think Uncle Sam’s going to trust any transports out with these German submarines about? I guess not!”
There was no question as to Mr. Booth’s excitement now. His round face fairly twitched.
“But you cannot know that,” he said. “That is camp talk, eh?”
“Not on your life!” said the sergeant, and went closer to him. “I got a cousin in headquarters; and he saw the order from Washington.”
“What was the order? You remember it, eh?”
“All orders for troops to sail during month of June canceled,” lied the sergeant glibly. “Not likely to forget that, old top, with a month to play round in your dear old town.”
He was filled with admiration of himself. And under that admiration was swelling and growing a great loathing for the creature before him. He would fill him with lies as full as he would hold. And then he would get him. But he would consult the girl about that. She had forbidden violence, but when she knew the facts——
He gave his name and put down a deposit.
“You are sure you are in no hurry?” asked Mr. Booth, scrutinising him carefully.