“Nothing in particular, that I am aware of,” I replied, not exactly pleased to have even an unkind look bestowed upon me, after the victory which I had been instrumental in winning.
“You seem to be on excellent terms with him,” sneered the colonel.
“I do not wish to quarrel with any one.”
“What did Toppleton want?” demanded the great man, rather more sharply than the occasion seemed to require.
“I don’t know that he wants anything. He invited me to call at his house, and I promised to do so,” I answered candidly.
“You did!”
“I did, sir. Both the major and Tommy were kind enough to say that they did not wish to quarrel with me; and certainly I have no ill-will against them.”
“You have not!” repeated Colonel Wimpleton, with emphasis. “Am I not your bail on a groundless charge preferred by them?”
“But they have done me more of good than of evil; and the major said no harm should come to me on account of the trial.”
“Wolf, I don’t like this way of doing things. If you are in my service, I don’t want you to have anything to do with my enemies. If three dollars a day is not enough for a boy like you, I will give you four or five; but you mustn’t play into the hands of Toppleton.”