right. Mr. Goad, second on the left.
Knock twice. Paper, miss? Poker chained at this time of year. Bell A,
glass of water. Bell B, cup of tea, if ladies grows impatient."

If I had been well, I might have reduced this boy to his proper
magnitude, for I never could endure young flippancy; but my spirits
were so low that the boy banged the door with a fine sense of having
vanquished me. And before there was any temptation to ring Bell A, not
to mention Bell B, the sound of a wrathful voice began coming.
Nearer and nearer it came, till the Major strode into the "ladies'
waiting-room," and used language no ladies should wait for.

"Oh, don't!" I said; "what would Mrs. Hockin say? And consider me too,
Major Hockin, if you please."

"I have considered you, and that makes me do it. Every body knows what
I am. Did I ever exaggerate in all my life? Did I ever say any thing
without just grounds? Did I ever take any distorted views? Did I ever
draw upon my imagination? Erema, answer me this instant!"

"I do not remember a single instance of your drawing upon your
imagination," I answered, gravely, and did not add, "because there is
none to draw upon."

"Very well. I was sure of your concurrence. Then just come with me. Take
my arm, if you please, and have the thief's card ready. Now keep your
temper and your self-command."

With this good advice, the Major, whose arm and whole body were jerking
with wrath, led me rapidly down the long passage and through a door, and
my eyes met the eyes of the very man who had tried to bribe Uncle Sam of
me. He never saw me then, and he did not know me now; but his insolent
eyes fell under mine. I looked at him quietly, and said nothing.

"Now, Mr. Goad, you still assert that you never were in
California--never even crossed the Atlantic. This young lady under
my protection--don't you be afraid, my dear--is the Honorable Erema
Castlewood, whom you, in the pay of a murderer, went to fetch,
and perhaps to murder. Now, do you acknowledge it? You wrote her
description, and ought to know her. You double-dyed villain, out with
it!"

"Major Hockin," said Mr. Goad, trying to look altogether at his ease,
but failing, and with his bull-dog forehead purple, "if indeed you are
an officer--which I doubt for the credit of her Majesty's service--if
the lady were not present, I should knock you down." And the big man got
up as if to do it.

"Never mind her," my companion answered, in a magnanimous mann