“And if we get one vote from Trowbridge, and one goes against us,”
continued Cable, encouraged by the attention given to his remarks,
“we’re sure to lose our case. There would be two votes of Newbury and
one of Trowbridge against us, and two of Westcott’s and one of
Trowbridge for us. Then the president would vote against us.”
“That’s right, too,” said Pete, ruefully.
“And if Trowbridge doesn’t vote at all or doesn’t come to the meeting,
the result will be the same.”
“I don’t believe Trowbridge would play us that kind of a trick,”
remarked Sumner; “it’s too mean a thing to do.”
At this point the suppressed Wilmot began to wave his hands about in
gestures which indicated that he wished permission to speak.
“Let go of him, Pete; he wants to say something!” commanded the captain.
Wilmot, obtaining release by this pantomime, escaped to a safer
position. “You haven’t said anything about going to see Callahan.”
“I forgot that. He thought Jason and some one else had better hunt up
Callahan and get his evidence.”
At this proposal, Dunn, who stood on the outskirts of the crowd, was
edging away, but Eaton dragged him back. “I won’t!” said the
unfortunate, sullenly. “I don’t want anything more to do with it.”
“You’ve got to,” Eaton retorted. “You’ve got us into this scrape; now
you must get us out.”
“You’ll have to go, too, Harry,” said Talbot, calmly treating Dunn’s
refusal as if it had not been made.
“I must be at the practice. Steve can go. He’s no use for anything
else.”
“I can’t go, either,” began Wilmot. “I’ve got to look after the balls
and take care of the sweaters and—”
“Shut up!” interrupted Talbot. “Mike will attend to all that, won’t you,
Mike?”
“Sure!”
“I’m not the man for it; I couldn’t get anything out of him,” insisted
Wilmot. “A simple, inoffensive fellow like me could never make any one
do anything he doesn’t want to. Pete ought to go. He’s got an awful
crust.”
“You’re going,” answered Talbot; “it’s the manager’s job. If Callahan
can stand your talk for ten minutes without giving you anything you ask
to get rid of you, he’ll be the first man who’s ever done it. You
remember the address, Jason?”
Dunn thought he did. “Then it’s settled,” said Talbot. “Let’s get
something to eat.”
That afternoon Wilmot and Dunn journeyed to East Boston together in
search of Callahan. They had little to say to each other on the way.
Wilmot disliked Dunn, and Dunn was afraid of Wilmot; neither relished
the expedition on which they were engaged. After much questioning and
unnecessary wandering they arrived at No. 73 Doble Street and asked if
Mr. Callahan lived there.
Yes, Mr. Callahan lived there, but was not at home; he would be in about
five. The boys drifted forth to kill time as best they could, hung round
the steamship docks, where a big Cunarder was being loaded, until
darkness fell, and then strolled slowly back to the abode of the
ex-coach.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account