“Yes, Mr. Polk, you can call next week,” went on Mrs. Bartlett. “Then, if my husband improves, perhaps you can see him.” “You seem to be in an awful hurry to get rid of me,” grumbled the visitor. “We do not wish you to disturb a very sick man.” “I am not disturbing anybody.” “He may hear you, and any loud talking excites him. I wish you would go away now.” “I’ll go away quick enough,” said Nuggy Polk, in as loud a voice as ever. “But you don’t seem to know what is for Mr. Bartlett’s good.” At that moment came a voice from a bed-chamber close at hand. “Viola, who is that? Who is talking about me?” The tone was weak and wild, as if the sick one was suffering from fever. “Hush! you have already disturbed him!” cried Mrs. Bartlett. “Please go away, please do!” And she motioned Nuggy Polk to the door. But the young man had no notion of departing just yet, and he held his ground. “I’m disturbing nobody,” he said as loudly as before. “You are standing in your own light. If you’ll let me talk to Mr. Bartlett--” “Hush! do hush!” cried Jennie, in a low voice. “My poor father has a heavy fever, and--” “Yes, but look here, Miss Bartlett. I offer-- Who is this? Pennington, by Jove! Lieutenant, how did you get here?” “We’ll talk about that when we are outside, Polk,” answered Gilbert, sternly. “Come out with me.” “Why, I--I don’t understand you,” stammered Nuggy. “I told you to come outside. Are you going to obey orders?” “Orders?” “Yes, orders. This city is under martial law, and I am a lieutenant in the United States service. Now, then, will you come out, or must I have you placed under arrest?” For the moment the young man from Richmond was struck speechless. This was an entirely new turn of affairs, and he knew not what to say. As for Gilbert, the young lieutenant did not know if he was doing exactly right; but for the sake of Mrs. Bartlett and Jennie he was willing to risk it. “You--you will ar--arrest me?” “Yes, unless you march out of here immediately.” And now Gilbert caught the intruder by the arm. “Not another word!” and his face grew so stern that Nuggy collapsed completely. Still keeping hold of his man, Gilbert led the way out of the house and around the corner of the street. “Lieutenant Pennington, this is an--an outrage!” burst out Nuggy, as soon as he could collect himself. “It is not half as much of an outrage as it was for you to disturb the household of a man who is almost on his death-bed.” “I was there for the man’s own good.” “I don’t think so; and I am pretty certain Mrs. Bartlett doesn’t think so, either.” “You talk as if you knew the Bartletts pretty well,” sneered the angry young man. “I have become fairly well acquainted with them since my arrival in Tien-Tsin.” “I suppose you--that is--you overheard some of my talk,” continued Nuggy, showing that he was much disturbed. “I did overhear all I wanted to.” “See here, Pennington, perhaps we had better come to an understanding. I know what you are up to.”