“Frank Pollock, the spy, was a remote cousin of my father’s. I don’t believe father ever had any acquaintance with him. I was named for another connection of the family, who wasn’t a Pollock at all. Your man Pollock got into a lot of scrapes after the war. I’ll even grant you that he wasn’t quite reputable. If you wish to verify what I say I’ll refer you to a hundred men in Knoxville,—Richmond,—Memphis,—Atlanta, who knew my father and who knew of this other man, too. Do you want my references?”
He was a little fellow and he was angry; but he was a gentleman, too, and, seeing that Rodney Merriam was really surprised, he relented toward the old soldier, who had thrust his hands into the side pockets of his coat, looking as foolish as it is possible for a fine old gentleman to look.
“Captain Pollock,” he blurted out suddenly, “I haven’t a doubt that you are telling the truth. I don’t care whose son you are, I like you anyhow!” And then snatching his hands from his pockets he held them out to Pollock, demanding with a gruff kindness, “Will you shake hands with me?”
“Certainly, Mr. Merriam!”
A few hours later the usual crowd lounged in the smoking-room of the Tippecanoe Club. Pollock had just finished telling a story when Rodney Merriam appeared in the doorway. The old gentleman advanced upon the little group, returning their greetings and thanking them all for the proffer of their seats.
“Gentlemen,” he said, standing by his chair, “I wish to make you an explanation. Owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding, due wholly to my own stupidity, I recently showed Captain Pollock a slight in this club. I wish to make the amplest possible expiation,—”
“This is wholly unnecessary,” exclaimed Pollock, rising. “This is wholly uncalled for, Mr. Merriam.”
“I wish to say before all of you,” Merriam continued, “that I was wholly in the wrong, and that Captain Pollock is a gentleman, who is an honor to his friends and to his profession.”
He put out his hand and Pollock grasped it.
“Leighton,” said Merriam, “you are nearest the bell. Give it a punch, won’t you?”