“Will you permit this young lady,” placing his hand on Janet’s arm, “to return to Washington?”
“No.”
“Don’t be so damned pig-headed!” stormed Tom. “I’ll stay here until I can get hold of the necessary money. Miss Langdon’s presence is not required.”
“I’m the best judge of that; and see here, mind how you address me; I won’t stand being sworn at.”
Tom moved closer to Janet, and lowered his voice. “I’m afraid it will be some time before I can get money here from Fort Myer,” he whispered. “Hadn’t I better call up your brother?”
“Mercy, no; please don’t think of it!” protested Janet, her eyes opening in fright. “Duncan is so stern, he would never approve or understand my motoring alone with you. We must get back without letting him know anything about all this”—waving her hand toward the Justice who, “clothed in a little brief authority,” was thoroughly enjoying the situation. His predecessor had been severely criticized for his lax handling of the speeders who frequented the state road between Baltimore and Washington, and he was determined to establish a record for distributing impartial justice on one and all. The fact that one of the breakers of the speed law before him was an officer of the United States Army and the other a very pretty young girl did not in the least influence him to be lenient.
One of the constables had remained in the room, and had been an interested listener to all that transpired. Janet’s distressed expression finally won him over to her side.
“Say, Captain,” he began, “Ain’t you got a watch you can put up, and redeem later?”
Tom shook his head despondently as his fingers sought his watch pocket “It’s at Galt’s getting repaired,” he replied.
Janet’s hopes, which had risen at the friendly constable’s suggestion, sank like lead; then an idea occurred to her, and she stepped up to the desk.