Part 9 (1/2)

”Thank you for the hint, Herbert,” he said. ”I will think of it, and I may act upon it.”

Frank was naturally self-reliant and energetic. He was not disposed to shrink from the duties of life, but was ready to go forth to meet them.

The idea which Herbert had suggested commended itself to him the more he thought of it.

In spite, therefore, of the news which he had received about Ajax, he resumed his cheerfulness, considerably to the surprise of Mark, whose natural suspicion led him to conjecture that Frank had some plan in view to circ.u.mvent his father.

”If he has, he'd better give it up,” reflected Mark. ”The old man's as sly as a fox. A raw boy like Frank can't get the better of him.”

At the close of the week, both the boys went home. They were on board the same train and the same car, but did not sit together. When they reached the house, Mr. Manning was not at home.

Frank went out to the stable at once to see Richard Green, the coachman.

He found him, indeed, but he also found another man, a stranger, who appeared to be employed in the stable.

”Who is this, Richard?” asked Frank.

”My successor,” answered the coachman.

”Are you going to leave?” asked Frank, hastily.

”Come out with me, Mr. Frank, and I will tell you,” said Richard. ”I've had notice to leave,” he said, ”and so has Deborah. It came last evening. Mr. Manning got a letter from Bridgeville--I know that, because I brought it home from the post office--which appeared to make him angry. He called Deborah and me and told us that he should not need our services any longer.”

”Did he give you any reason?”

”Yes; he said that he could have our places filled for a good deal less money, and he had no doubt we could do as well elsewhere.”

”He has filled your place pretty soon.”

”Yes. This man came this morning. I think Mr. Manning had sent for him already. I told you the other day we should soon be discharged.”

”I know it; but I can tell you what has hastened it.”

”What, then?”

”Mark wrote his father that I had learned about the sale of Ajax, and that the information came from you or Deborah.”

”I think it likely, Mr. Frank, for the old gentleman seemed mighty cool.

I hope you won't take it too much to heart that Ajax is sold.”

”I am not sure but I am glad of it,” said Frank.

The coachman looked at him in surprise.

”I thought you would be very angry,” he said.

”So I was at first, but he has been sold to a man who will treat him well, and I shall be glad to think of that when I'm away from home.”

”You don't mean to run away, Mr. Frank?”