Campbell stood eyeing him sternly, but at his wit's end.
"Mr.Barker," said Tom blandly, "will you have another glass of brandy and water, or shall I call a policeman ?" "Sir," sputtered he, speaking prose at last, "this gentleman has insulted me! He has called my poetry nonsense, and my friend a fellow.
And blood shall not wipe out--what liquor may ?" The hint was sufficient; but ere he had drained another glass, Mr.
Barker was decidedly incapable of managing his affairs, much less theirs; and became withal exceedingly quarrelsome, returning angrily to the grievance of Briggs having been called a fellow; in spite of all their entreaties, he talked himself into a passion, and at last, to Campbell's extreme disgust, rushed out of the bar into the street.
"This is too vexations! To have kept half-an-hour's company with such an animal, and then to have him escape me after all! A just punishment on me for pandering to his drunkenness." Tom made no answer, but went quietly to the door, and peeped out.
"Pay for his liquor, Major, and follow.

Keep a few yards behind me; there will be less chance of his recognising us than if he saw us both together." "Why, where do you think he's going ?" "Not home, I can see.

Ten to one that he will go raging off straight to Briggs, to put him on his guard against us.

Just like a drunkard's cunning it would be.

There, he has turned up that side street.