low
that only those in the immediate vicinity could hear the words, "if
you dare present your barber's account to me in public, I'll have you
punished for an insolent cur. When I am ready to pay your master, I
will call at his shop."

"The account belongs to me. It has been turned over by Master Piemont,
and the money must be paid."

[Illustration]

"Be careful of your words, my fine fellow, or they will lead you into
trouble!"

The lieutenant was now almost beside himself with anger, and,
understanding that he might do something rash, his brother officers
literally forced him to accompany them up the street, while the
barber's apprentice, not wishing to leave the scene of what he
considered his triumph, hurled insolent epithets after the soldiers.

"What are you doing, Hardy Baker? Do you want to bring about a riot?"

Turning quickly, Master Piemont's assistant saw his friend Amos, who
had just come up, and he retorted:

"I am attending to my own affairs."

"It is better you should do that in private. You have no right to
brawl in the streets, even though your debtor be an enemy."

"I have the right to do that which I please, and it will become you
better to turn your attention to the informer, who is at the same time
your relative."

"What do you mean by that?" and now Amos began to display signs of
losing his temper, for the part in public affairs which Ebenezer
Richardson had been playing latterly was a sore subject to him. "What
has he been doing?"

"Nothing, as yet. It is what he may do that I speak of."

"But he is not here."

"He came out of Master Lillie's a few moments ago, and would have torn
down the pole but for the crowd which threatened him. There he is
now, and while you are watching your precious uncle, I'll continue to
demand my money from that red-coated lieutenant, if it so pleases me!"

"Do as you choose," Amos cried, in a rage, "and some day you will
realise what a fool's back deserves."

Then, understanding that no credit could be gained by bandying words
with one like the barber's apprentice, he stepped nearer the two
Christophers, as the mob, agitated by the sight of the informer,
watched eagerly his every movement.

A wagon was coming down the street, and it appeared to Amos as if his
uncle must have seen the team approaching and hurried out of the
building to speak with the driver, for he made his way around the
throng, as he beckoned vigourously to the newcomer.

The v