“The state of South Carolina does what it pleases and goes where it likes,” declared Miss Barbara Osborne warmly, whereupon Mr. Ardmore, at a glance from his coadjutor, waxed righteously indignant.
“It’s one thing, sir, for you to ride in here as a sightseer, but quite another for you to come representing an unfriendly state. You will please choose which view of the matter I shall take, and I shall act accordingly.”
Griswold’s companion spoke to him earnestly in a low tone for a moment, and then Griswold addressed Ardmore incisively.
“I don’t know what you pretend to be, sir; but it may interest you to know that I am the governor of South Carolina!”
“And this gentleman,” cried Jerry, pointing to Ardmore with her riding-crop, “though his hair is mussed and his scarf visibly untied, is none other than the governor of North Carolina, and he is not only on his own property, but in the sovereign state of which he is the chief executive.”
Professor Griswold lifted his hat with the least flourish.
“I congratulate the state of North Carolina on having reposed authority in hands so capable. If this young lady is correct, sir, I will serve official notice on you that I have reason to believe that a person named Appleweight, a fugitive from justice, is hiding on your property and in your state, and I now formally demand that you surrender him forthwith.”
“If I may introduce myself,” interposed Jerry, “I will say to you that my name is Geraldine Dangerfield, and that this Appleweight person is now at Mr. Ardmore’s house.”
“I suppose,” replied Miss Osborne with gentle irony, “that he has the pink parlour and leads the conversation at table.”
“You are quite mistaken,” replied Ardmore; “but if it would afford you any satisfaction to see the outlaw you may look upon him in my wine cellar, where, only an hour ago, I left him sitting on a case of Chateau Bizet ’82. My further intentions touching this scoundrelly South Carolinian I need not now disclose; but I give you warning that the Appleweight issue will soon and for ever be terminated, and in a manner that will greatly redound to the credit and the glory of the Old North State.”