I was about to protest indignantly, but Marian laid her hand on my arm.
“Tell it not in Asquith,” said she. “Irene, I won't have him teased any more.”
We were drawing up to the dock, and for the first time I saw that a crowd was gathered there. The report of this chase had gone abroad. Some began calling out to McCann when we came within distance, among others the editor of the Northern Lights, and beside him I perceived with amusement the generous lines: of the person of Mr. O'Meara himself. I hurried back to give Farrar a hand with the ropes, and it was O'Meara who caught the one I flung ashore and wound it around a pile. The people pressed around, peering at our party on the Maria, and I heard McCann exhorting them to make way. And just then, as he was about to cross the plank, they parted for some one from behind. A breathless messenger halted at the edge of the wharf. He held out a telegram.
McCann seized it and dived into the cabin, followed closely by my client and those of us who could push after. He tore open the envelope, his eye ran over the lines, and then he began to slap his thigh and turn around in a circle, like a man dazed.
“Whiskey!” shouted Mr. Cooke. “Get him a glass of Scotch!”
But McCann held up his hand.
“Holy Saint Patrick!” he said, in a husky voice, “it's upset I am, bottom upwards. Will ye listen to this?”
“'Drew is your man. Reddish hair and long side whiskers, gray
clothes. Pretends to represent summer hotel syndicate. Allen at
Asquith unknown and harmless.
“' (Signed.) Everhardt.”'
“Sew me up,” said Mr. Cooke; “if that don't beat hell!”