Page:War; or, What happens when one loves one's enemy, John Luther Long, 1913.djvu/137

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DAVE'S BUSINESS

He sprung it on Dave just like on me. But Dave never winked.

"Vonner," says Dave, easy as you like, "Dutch, not Irish."

"Yes? Excuse me," says the officer. "But, if there were such a person hereabouts you would know it, eh?"

"Daddy would," says Dave. "He knows everything, and he'd be sure to tell me. He can't keep no secret, can you, daddy?" and he winks at me, right before them all.

"So I supposed, Mr. Mallory."

Then Dave got mad

"Vonner, I told you. What are you about, anyhow? Suppose you tell us where you came from and what you are and where you are going? Don't think because you're in brass buttons and blue clothes that you own the universe. We see enough uniforms about here not to be scared of 'em."

"And some gray ones, I have no doubt, Mr.—"

"Vonner," says Dave, "for fear you'll for-

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