He continued his walk, and paused presently before an array of books
in a shop window. Then some one stopped at his side and he looked up to
find the same man he had accosted at the Treasury Building lifting his
hat,--an American soldier's campaign hat. The fellow was an extreme
blond, with a smooth-shaven, weather-beaten face, blue eyes and light
hair.
"Pardon me! You are mistaken; I am not a spy. But it is wonderful; it is
quite wonderful--"
The man's face was alight with discovery, with an alert pleasure that
awaited recognition.
"My dear fellow, you really become annoying," and Armitage again thrust
his hand into his trousers pocket. "I should hate awfully to appeal to
the police; but you must not crowd me too far."
The man seemed moved by deep feeling, and his eyes were bright with
excitement. His hands clasped tightly the railing that protected the
glass window of the book shop. As Armitage turned away impatiently the
man ejaculated huskily, as though some over-mastering influence wrung the
words from him:
"Don't you know me? I am Oscar--don't you remember me, and the great
forest, where I taught you to shoot and fish? You are--"
He bent toward Armitage with a fierce insistence, his eyes blazing in his
eagerness to be understood.
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