Page:On to Pekin.djvu/95

Rh "You speak as if you had a bone to pick with him," said Gilbert, more to draw Nuggy Polk out than because he thought this was so.

"I have, and a big one," answered the young man, frowning. "Bartlett is getting too big for his boots. He has either got to get out of the company or there will be trouble."

"If the company is making money, perhaps he won't want to get out."

"We'll force him out. He is a bother, and in the way."

"It is not always so easy to force a man out of a thing,—especially if he knows what a good thing it is."

"I will do the trick," said Nuggy Polk, with a wink. "Trust me to work any deal that is to my advantage."

At this moment came an order from Captain Banner for company drill, and Gilbert had to leave the pair. No sooner had he gone than Jerry Nickerson said in a low tone, "Nuggy, I wouldn't be so free about talking over private affairs with an outsider."

"Oh, he's only a common soldier, Jerry. What harm can it do?"