"
"If those boys will only keep their mouths shut!" Runnels said,
anxiously. "There's no telling what these Spiggoties might do if
they heard about that row."
"Cortlandt was an American."
"But it happened in Panama, and it would be their affair."
Although it was Sunday, the four young fellows who had taken part
in the entertainment on the night before had gathered in the
office, and at the appearance of Runnels greeted him eagerly.
Toward Kirk, however, they maintained a disheartening constraint.
The Acting Superintendent began to caution them tersely.
"Boys, there's no use to tell you that we must keep still about
what happened last night. Kirk thinks Cortlandt's mind was
unbalanced; but whether it was or not, he left a widow, and what
went on at that supper must never leak out."
"Why do you think he was crazy?" Wade inquired.
"His actions last night would show it," Kirk answered. "The man
must have been out of his mind to believe or to say such a thing."
"You mean, then, that he shot himself?"
Kirk nodded.
"I don't agree with you. I've seen crazy people, but he was as
sane as any of us. And I don't believe in secrecy, either. I think
we ought to be entirely frank about the matter. The truth never
hurt anybody.
Pages:
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480