His former acquaintance, the youthful assistant, came forward to attend to him.
"Good-morning," said Pratt, genially. "It seems quite an age since I saw you. I’ve often thought of that pleasant little conversation we had. But I’m in rather a hurry to-day. I want some methylated spirit: that’s what you call it, isn’t it?--the stuff that burns with a blue flame. Rummy how often blue comes into business affairs, don’t you think? Last time I was here I wanted blue tacks, I remember. By the way, I suppose your friend, the gardener at the Red House, hasn’t bought any more tacks?"
"Indeed! It’s a pity not to be friends. Friendship oils the machinery of life, don’t you know. Still, I am sure it’s not your fault. Why doesn’t he reciprocate the amiable sentiments you cherish towards him?"
The youth gave Pratt a puzzled stare. "I don’t know nothing about that," he said slowly. "All I do know is, I hate furriners, I do so. Fair cruel they be. Why, the feller comed in here not a hour ago and wanted six foot of iron chain--to chain up a dog. ’Twas cruelty to animals, and so I told ’un."
"Perhaps the dog feels the heat and gets snappy."
"But the thickness of it! Look ’ee here, sir; here’s the chain I cut. ’Tis thick enough to hold a mad bull. Do ’ee call that a chain for a dog? He wouldn’t have a little small chain, as was proper."
"Well, after all, you haven’t seen the dog. It may be a whopper of a brute. Give him the benefit of the doubt. You’ll feel better now you’ve told me."
He paid for the can of spirit and left the shop. Blevins and the chauffeur were a little way up the road, still quarrelling. Forgetting the eggs that were part of his commission, Pratt hastened back to the ferry, and found that his friends had just arrived in the motor-boat.
"We saw Rush pulling down stream," said Warrender, "and hurried up to meet you and save time. He’s one less. Any news of the car?"
"It appears to have broken down," replied Pratt, going on to relate what he had heard. "Pity Gradoff won’t be away. But the Italian is still squabbling with Blevins, and if we look sharp we may get into the tower before he returns to the house. That will make them two short."
He had placed on the deck the can of spirit and the tin of sardines while he was speaking, then tied the dinghy astern and jumped aboard.