--Frank is free.'

The young man glanced over the paper. His face expressed surprise, but
he said nothing.

'Then you've heard how things have been going on?' asked Cragin.

'No, not a word. I've _seen_ that Hallet was abusing the boy shamefully.
I came on, wanting an excuse to break the copartnership.'

'Do you know you've done me the greatest service in the world? I told
Hallet, the other day, that we couldn't pull together much longer. He
refused to let me off till our term is up; but I've got him now;' and he
laughed in boyish glee.

'Of course, the paper releases you as well as Frank. It's a general
dissolution.'

'Of course it is. How did you manage to get it? Hallet must have been
crazy. He wasn't _John Hallet_, that's certain!'

'The _genuine_ John, but a _little_ excited.'

'He must have been. But I'm rid of him, thank the Lord! Come, what do
you say to Frank's going in with me? I'll pack him off to Europe at
once--he can secure most of the old business.'

'_He_ must decide about that. He can come with me, if he likes. He'll
not go a begging, that's certain. He'll have thirty thousand to start
with.'

'Thirty thousand!' exclaimed Frank. 'No, father, you can't do that; you
need every dollar you've got.'

'Yes, I do, and more too. But the money is yours, not mine. You shall
have it to-morrow.'

'Mine! Where did it come from?'

'From a relative of yours. But he's modest; he don't want to be known.'
'But I _ought_ to know, I thought I had no relatives.'

'Well, you haven't--only this one, and he's rich as mud. He gave you the
five thousand; but this is a last instalment--you won't get another red
cent.'

'I don't feel exactly like taking money in that way.'

'Pshaw, my boy! I tell you it's yours--rightfully and honestly. You
ought to have more; but he's close-fisted, and you must be content with
this.'

'Well, Frank,' said Cragin, 'what do you say to hitching horses with me?
I'll give you two fifths, and put a hundred against your thirty.

'What shall I do?' said Frank to me.

'You'd better accept. It's more than I can allow you.'

'Then it's a trade?' asked Cragin.

'Yes,' said Frank.

'Well, old gentleman, what do _you_ say--will you move the old stool?'
said Cragin, addressing David.

'Yes; I like Frank too well to stay with even his father.'

In the gleeful mood which had taken possession of the old man, the words
slipped from his tongue before he was aware of it. He would have