Sam stepped forward with a resigned hopelessness like that of a condemned criminal. He felt himself quailing before the Major’s eye; but felt a surprising--and vaguely encouraging--heartiness in the grip the old soldier gave his timidly extended hand. “Samuel, I trust you are well,” quoth the Major, courteously enough. Then, not being impressed with the importance of minors in the scheme of the universe, he turned to the boy’s father, after suggesting to his youthful caller that he, too, take a chair near the fire. Mr. Parker cleared his throat. “Ahem, ahem! Major, I have been given to understand that you have been the victim of an unfortunate accident.” “Accident!” The Major sat straighter in the chair in which he had just seated himself. “Sir, that’s misuse of English. What I was victim of was a most cowardly and scoundrelly attack. Thank heaven, though, the perpetrator of the outrage was at once apprehended and taken into custody.” “You’re sure of the identity of the----” The Major’s eyes flashed; he was guilty of the discourtesy of interrupting a guest. “Am I sure? Sir, I am as absolutely certain of the miscreant as I am of this”--he touched the court-plaster on his cheek--“and of this”--he waved the bandaged hand. “I’ve two good reasons to remember him, sir.” “But, Major----” “Pardon me a moment! You may not know, but it is the fact that the fellow has threatened, repeatedly, to do me harm. It’s an old grudge. Years ago I was fortunate enough to be active in sending him to jail, and he’s never forgotten my modest service to the general welfare. Only last week--on the public street, sir--he reviled me, and declared that he would have revenge. It was a fortunate warning, sir; for this morning, when he and I met in the woods--oh, yes; we passed within ten yards of each other--I took care to keep a weather eye open for just some such performance as he undertook. I’d kept his general bearings, and when he blazed away at me--why, sir, I rushed for him. And by Jove! I got him--as good as caught in the act, sir!” “But not quite caught in the act, sir. There must have been an interval----” The Major raised a hand. “Pardon me again! Sir, what you speak of is a trifle, a bagatelle. And there was plenty of circumstantial evidence--empty shell in the right-hand barrel of his gun--barrel fouled by the discharge. And he attempted no denial. Why, sir, he merely stood there and cursed me to my face, the scoundrel!” “And yet,” said Mr. Parker evenly, “I fear you were--and are--in error.” “Eh?” The Major bristled. “Eh? You fear I’m in error? Most extraordinary statement, sir! Do you mean to insinuate that nobody shot me?” “I merely suggest that you may not have been shot by Peter Groche.” “But who else under the canopy could it have been?” “I am afraid, as I told you--afraid that it was my son.”