“In America—in free Virginia—without legal process?” asked Armitage, laughing.
“You are a housebreaker, that is enough. Shirley, please go!”
“You were not detached from the army to find a housebreaker. But I will make your work easy for you—day after to-morrow I will present myself to you wherever you say. But now—that cable message which my man found in your sheep pasture is of importance. I must trouble you to read it to me.”
“No!” shouted Claiborne.
Armitage drew a step nearer.
“You must take my word for it that matters of importance, of far-reaching consequence, hang upon that message. I must know what it is.”
“You certainly have magnificent cheek! I am going to take that paper to Baron von Marhof at once.”
“Do so!—but I must know first! Baron von Marhof and I are on the same side in this business, but he doesn’t understand it, and it is clear you don’t. Give me the message!”
He spoke commandingly, his voice thrilling with earnestness, and jerked out his last words with angry impatience. At the same moment he and Claiborne stepped toward each other, with their hands clenched at their sides.
“I don’t like your tone, Mr. Armitage!”