Skinley left the room; and then, for the first time, the captain noticed the presence of Somers, and told him to leave the room.
“He’s my friend, Captain Lynchman; I have no secrets from him,” interposed the major, with dignity. “If you can’t trust him, you can’t trust me, and we will move on to the headquarters of Wheeler’s cavalry.”
“Just as you please, major,” replied Lynchman; “but it is hardly regular.”
“Nothing is very regular about these partisans. It is just as regular for him as for me. He is my right-hand man, and I can’t do anything without him. I don’t ask your confidence, and I don’t want it. I am just as willing to go about my business as I am to stay with you.”
“I am not willing, after telling you my plans.”
“What did you tell them to me for, then?”
“Because I wanted you; and I did not expect to get you without offering big inducements. We shall divide three or four millions in greenbacks to-day, if we manage well. I believe in strategy in a case like this.”
“So do I; and that is the very reason why I want Somers to know all about the matter.”
While they were talking about it, Tippy, the scout, entered the room. He was a young man, with a bright eye and a manly form, and looked as though he was capable of doing all that had been claimed for him. He had eaten his morning meal very hastily; indeed, he had not finished it when he presented himself in the drawing-room, for his mouth was even now crammed full of corn cake, which he was trying to dispose of so that he could speak.
Tippy looked at Captain Lynchman first, crunching the food in his mouth in the most vigorous manner. From the leader, he glanced at Somers, who stood next to him. De Banyan had walked away to a window on the other side of the room, and as he turned to come back, the scout looked at him. Instantly his jaws ceased their movements, and he started back, apparently filled with astonishment. Somers looked at the major, who stood calmly at his side; but it was evident that he was not wholly unmoved by the appearance of Tippy.