"Thank you very much, Mr. Hamlin. I should enjoy being with you, but Idon't believe I shall find any opening here. Besides, I like a morestirring life."
"No doubt--no doubt! Boys like a lively place. Well, I am glad you feelindependent of your business."
"For a little time. I am afraid it wouldn't do for me to earn so littlefor any length of time."
Frank enjoyed the society of Dick Hamlin. Together they went fishing andhunting, and a mutual liking sprang up between them.
"I wish you were going to stay longer, Frank," said Dick. "I shall feelvery lonely when you are gone."
"We may meet again under different circumstances," said Frank. "While Iam here, we will enjoy ourselves as well as we can."
So the days passed, and at length a letter came from Mr. Percival. Iappend the most important passages:
"Your report is clear, and I have perfect confidence in your statement.Mr. Fairfield has abused my confidence and oppressed my tenants, and Ishall dismiss him. I am glad you have found in Jackson a man who iscapable of succeeding him. Solely upon your recommendation, I shallappoint Mr. Hamlin my resident agent and representative for the term ofsix months. Should he acquit himself to my satisfaction, he will becontinued in the position. I am prepared to offer him one hundreddollars a month, if that will content him.
"Upon receipt of this letter, and the accompanying legal authority, youmay call upon Mr. Fairfield and require him to transfer his office, andthe papers and accounts connected with it, to Mr. Hamlin. I inclose acheck for three hundred dollars, payable to your order, which you maymake payable to him, in lieu of three months' notice, provided heimmediately surrenders his office. Should he not, I shall dismiss himsummarily, and proceed against him for the moneys he has misappropriatedto his own use, and you may so inform him."
With this letter was a letter to Mr. Fairfield, of the same purport, anda paper appointing Mr. Hamlin agent.
When this letter was received, Frank was overjoyed, knowing how muchpleasure he was about to give his new friends.
With this appointment and salary, Mr. Hamlin would consider himself arich man, and Dick's hope for a liberal education might be realized.
The letter came just before supper, and, at the close of the eveningmeal, Frank determined to inform his friends of their good fortune.
"Mr. Hamlin," said he, "I have some good news for you."
"Indeed!" said the farmer, surprised.
"Your rent will not be increased."
"But how do you know this! Has Mr. Fairfield told you so?"
"No," answered Frank. "I have a question to ask. Would you be willing totake Mr. Fairfield's place at a hundred dollars a month?"
"Willing? I should be delighted to do so. But why do you say this?"
"Because," answered Frank, quietly, "I am authorized to offer it to youat that salary."
The whole family looked at Frank in bewildered surprise. It occurred tothem that he might have become crazy.
"You!" exclaimed the farmer. "What can you have to do with the agency?"
Frank explained to a very happy family group and then he and Mr. Hamlinset out for the house of the agent.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE AGENT IS NOTIFIED
It was still early in the evening when Frank and Mr. Hamlin reached thehouse of the agent. Had they come five minutes later, they would havefound him absent. Usually, soon after supper, he made his way to thetavern, where he spent his time and money in a very unprofitable way.
The agent was surprised when his two visitors made their appearance.
"What brings you here, Hamlin?" he asked, with scant ceremony.
"I come on a little matter of business," answered Mr. Hamlin, gravely.
Mr. Fairfield concluded that the farmer had come to make an appeal tohave his rent continued at the old rates, and answered, impatiently:
"I don't think it will be of much use. My mind is made up. Have you comeon business, also?" he asked, turning to Frank, with a sneer.
"Yes, sir," answered our hero, quietly.
"That will be of no use, either," said the agent. "I am not in want ofstationery, and, if I were, I should not buy of a peddler."
"I have not come here to sell stationery, Mr. Fairfield," said Frank.
"Then, may I take the liberty of asking what is your business here?"
"I come on the same business as Mr. Hamlin," answered Frank, whopreferred that his companion should introduce the subject.
"Look here, I have no time for trifling," said Mr. Fairfield, angrily."I am going out and can only spare you five minutes."
"Mr. Fairfield, I would advise you not to go out till you have heardwhat I have to say," said the farmer in a meaning tone.
"I certainly shall. You can call some other time."
"Another time will not do."
"Look here, sir! Do you know to whom you are talking? How dare you usesuch a tone to Mr. Percival's representative?"
"I suppose you don't always expect to be Mr. Percival's representative?"
"I suppose I shall die sometime, if that's what you mean; but I am notdead yet, as you will find. To pay you for your impertinence, I shallincrease your rent more than I intended. I'll drive you out oftown--that's what I'll do."
This was accompanied by an angry stamp of the foot, which, however, didnot frighten Mr. Hamlin much.
"I shall not pay a dollar more rent, nor shall I leave the farm Ioccupy," returned Mr. Hamlin, whose patience was exhausted by the roughinsolence of the man before him.
"So you defy me, do you?" demanded Fairfield, furiously.
"I shall resist your injustice, sir, or rather I would do so if you wereable to carry out your threat. Luckily you have not the power."
"Have not the power? You will see if I have not the power!" roared theangry agent. "I give you notice that at the end of the quarter you mustgo, at any rate. After your insolence, I won't let you stay on anyterms. I wouldn't let you stay if you would pay double the rent. Do youhear me, Hamlin?"
"Yes, I hear you."
Mr. Fairfield looked at the farmer in surprise. The latter seemedperfectly calm and undisturbed by his threat, though it was of the mostserious nature. He had expected to see him humbled, and to hear himentreat a reversal of the sentence; but his tenant was thoroughlyself-possessed, and appeared to care nothing for the agent's threats.
"You need not expect that I will change my mind," he added. "Out ofJackson you must go. I know there is no other farm which you can hire,and while I am Mr. Percival's agent, you need expect no favors from me."
"I don't expect any while you are Mr. Percival's agent," said Mr.Hamlin.
There was something in the farmer's tone that arrested the agent'sattention and excited his curiosity, though it did not awaken his alarm,and he could not help saying:
"Then what do you expect? Do you think I am going to die?"
"I don't expect that you will die or resign, Mr. Fairfield. You may beremoved."
"Have you been writing to Mr. Percival?" exclaimed Fairfield, in mingledanger and apprehension.
"No, sir; I have not communicated with him in any way. You would notgive me his address."
"Of course I would not," said the agent, feeling relieved. "It would bemere impertinence for you to write to him."
"Fortunately there is no immediate occasion for me to do so, as he hassent a representative here to investigate your official conduct."
"A representative!" exclaimed Fairfield, now thoroughly startled. "Whereis he? I have not seen him."
"He is present," said Mr. Hamlin, indicating Frank.
The agent broke into a scornful laugh.
"You? Why, you are a peddler!"
"Only in appearance, Mr. Fairfield. I assumed that business in order notto attract attention or excite suspicion. I am really Mr. Percival'sprivate secretary, as I can prove to your satisfaction."
"Is this true?" he asked, in a changed voice.
"Yes, sir; quite true."
"Have
you written to Mr. Percival?"
"Yes, sir; and this afternoon I received a letter from him."
"What did he write?" asked Fairfield, in a husky voice; for he wasconvinced now that Frank spoke the truth.
"He removes you, inclosing a check of three hundred dollars in place ofnotice, and appoints Mr. Hamlin in your place."
"Will you read this letter, sir?"
It was enough. Fairfield knew that his management would not standinvestigation, and he yielded with a bad grace.
Mr. Hamlin, the next day, to the great joy of the villagers, made knownhis appointment.
Fairfield left town and drifted to California, where he became anadventurer, living in a miserable and precarious manner. Mr. Hamlinmoved into his fine house, and Dick was sent to a school to prepare forcollege.
The next day Frank started on his return to New York.
CHAPTER XXXIX
AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY
On his return to New York, Frank had no reason to be dissatisfied withhis reception. From Mr. Percival to Freddie, all the family seemeddelighted to see him.
"You mustn't go away again, Frank," said little Freddie. "I wanted tosee you ever so much."
"And I wanted to see you, Freddie," said our hero, his heart warming tothe little boy.
"You won't go away again, will you, Frank?"
"Not if I can help it, Freddie."
"We are all glad to see you back Frank," said his employer. "But youhave justified my opinion of you by your success. Some of my friendsridiculed me for sending a boy on such an important mission, but I don'tbelieve any of them would have succeeded any better than you, if aswell."
"I am glad you are satisfied with me, sir," said Frank, very muchgratified by the commendation of his employer.
"I feel that you have done a great service, and indeed I don't know whomI could have sent in your place. However, I am glad to see you backagain. I have missed you about my letters, and have postponed answeringsome till my young secretary returned."
Frank resumed his regular employment, and three months passed withoutanything that needs to be recorded.
At the end of that time, Frank received an important letter from Col.Vincent, which gave him much food for thought.
The letter was as follows:
"Dear Frank: For some time past I have been intending to write to you,but I have delayed for no good reason. Now, however, I am led to writeby a surprising discovery which has just been made in your old home,which may be of material importance to you.
"When your stepfather went away, he requested me to have an eye to theestate, and order whatever I might think necessary to be done. I am not,as you know, a very cordial friend of Mr. Manning's, but I have alwaysregarded the property as of right belonging to you--that is, since yourmother's death--and so accepted the commission.
"A few days since I went over the house and found that it was quitedirty. Where the dirt could come from in an unoccupied house I can'ttell, but, at all events, I felt justified in engaging a woman to cleanthe paint, so, if any of you should return unexpectedly, you would findthe house fit to receive you. This was a very simple matter, you willthink, and scarcely needs mentioning. But, my dear Frank, events ofimportance often hinge on trifles, and so it has proved in the presentinstance.
"On the evening of the second day I received a call from Mrs. Noonan,whom I had employed to scrub the house. She had in her hand a foldedpaper, which she gave to me.
"'Here is something I found, sir, while I was scrubbing,' she said.
"I opened it indifferently, but conceive of my amazement when I found itto be your mother's will, properly signed, sealed and witnessed.
"Of course it was not the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate.This will gave Mr. Manning ten thousand dollars, and the residue of theproperty to you, except a small amount bestowed upon Richard Green, thecoachman, and Deborah--sums larger, by the way, than those mentioned inthe will which was read after your mother's death."
There was more to Colonel Vincent's letter.
Frank showed it to Mr. Percival, and readily obtained permission to takea few days vacation.
"I hope you will get back the estate, Frank," said Mr. Percival, "thoughI don't know what I shall do without my secretary."
"That need not separate us, Mr. Percival," said our hero. "I have nohome but this."
CHAPTER XL
JONAS BARTON
Frank started for his old home on Saturday afternoon. He would arrive intime for supper, at the house of his father's friend. The train was wellfilled, and he was obliged to share his seat with a shabbily dressedyoung man with whom, a single glance showed him, he was not likely tosympathize.
The shabby suit did not repel him at all--he was too sensible for that;but there was a furtive look in the man's face, which seemed to indicatethat he was not frank and straightforward, but had something to conceal.
Half the journey passed without a word between the two. Then hiscompanion, glancing at Frank, opened a conversation by remarking that itwas a fine day.
"Very," answered Frank, laconically.
"A pleasant day to travel."
"Yes."
"Do you go far?"
Frank mentioned his destination. His companion seemed to have hisinterest awakened.
"Do you know a Mr. Manning, living in your town?" he asked.
"He is my stepfather," said Frank.
"Then you are Frank Courtney?" said his new acquaintance, quickly.
"I am."
"Pardon me, but I think your mother died recently?"
"Yes."
"And the property was left chiefly to Mr. Manning?"
"Yes."
"Of course, you were surprised, and probably very disappointed?"
"Excuse me," said Frank, coldly; "but I am not in the habit ofdiscussing my affairs with strangers."
"Quite right, but I think you will find it for your interest to discussthem with me. Not in a public car, of course; but I have something ofimportance to communicate. Where can I have a private interview withyou?"
It at once occurred to Frank that there was an opportunity, perhaps, tosolve the mystery concerning the will. This man might know nothing aboutit; but, on the other hand, he might know everything. It would befoolish to repulse him.
"If you have anything important to tell me, I shall be glad to hear it,"he said. "I am going to the house of my friend, Col. Vincent, to pass afew days. Do you know where he lives?"
"Yes, I know."
"If you will call this evening, after supper, I shall be glad to seeyou."
"I will do so. I will be there at eight o'clock, sharp."
On arriving at his destination, Frank found the colonel's carriagewaiting for him at the station.
Col. Vincent was inside.
"Welcome, Frank!" he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero."I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how youhave grown!"
"Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?"
"About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don'tcare to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?"
"I have some for you, colonel;" and Frank mentioned what his newacquaintance had told him.
"The missing link!" exclaimed the colonel, excited. "Do you know what Ithink?"
"What?"
"That this man either forged the will which gives the property to yourstepfather, or is cognizant of it!"
"I thought of that."
"I shall be impatient to see him."
At eight o'clock the man called and gave his name as Jonas Barton.Whether it was the right name might be a question; but this did notmatter.
"I understand," said Col. Vincent, "that you have some information togive us."
"I have; and that of a very important nature."
"Is it of a nature to restore to my young friend here his property nowin the possession of Mr. Manning?"
"If it were," said Jo
nas Barton with a cunning glance of his left eye"how much would it be worth?"
"I supposed it was for sale," said the colonel, quietly. "What is yourown idea?"
"I will take two thousand dollars."
"Suppose we say one thousand?"
"It is not enough."
"Were you aware that the genuine will had been found?" asked thecolonel, quietly.
Jonas Barton started.
"I thought Mr. Manning destroyed it," he said, hastily.
"No; he concealed it."
"Is this true?"
"Yes. You see that a part of your information has been forestalled."
"He was a fool, then, and still more a fool to refuse my last demand formoney. I accept your offer of a thousand dollars, and will tell all."
"Go on."
"I wrote the will which Mr. Manning presented for probate. It was copiedin part from the genuine will."
"Good! And you betray him because he will not pay what you consider theservice worth?"
"Yes, sir."
Jonas Barton here gave a full account of Mr. Manning, whom he hadformerly known in New York, seeking him out and proposing to him a jobfor which he was willing to pay five hundred dollars. Barton was notscrupulous, and readily agreed to do the work. He was skillful with thepen, and did his work so well that all were deceived.