He been away fighting for
'is country."
"Well, that isn't my fault."
"No." There was profound contempt in the little word. "He give up 'is
business to go away to fight to save you, while you stay be'ind to rob 'im.
Is zat fair?"
Hardy gave a gesture of disdain. "I'm not talking about what's fair, or
what's not fair. There's lots of things in this world that ain't right. I
am doing only what the law allows." He thought this cleared his skirts. It
was the refuge of every scoundrel.
"I do not speak about ze law," Lopez followed him up. "I am doing only what
is fair. If I were you, I should be ashamed for myself! You love your
country?"
"Certainly I do," the other answered.
"Like 'ell! You love yourself!" And Lopez deliberately turned his back on
him.
"Now, wait a minute!" Hardy begged. He could scarcely have this insult
added to the host of others. "I do love my country. I'm a good American."
"Yet you would rob ze man who fight for your country! Bah!" The bandit
waved his hand in disgust.
Hardy saw he was in a bad hole. "There's some truth in what you said," he
admitted, trying to crawl out. "He _has_ fought for America. And I'm
willing to do the right thing by him.
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