appeared, I
don't know what he may decide to do."

"When do you mean to start for New York?"

"I would start to-night if I could."

"You can. There is a train which passes through St. Victor at ten
o'clock this evening. But, no, on second thought it goes to Ottawa."

"I don't care where it goes. I don't wish to remain in St. Victor any
longer than is absolutely necessary. Besides, if Bowman suspects and
follows me he will be likely to think I have gone in a different
direction."

"I am sorry to have you go, Mr. Fenton."

"We shall meet again soon, I hope in New York."

Fred reached the inn at nine o'clock, left the amount of his bill in an
envelope with the boy Jack, and walked over to the station, where he
purchased a ticket for Ottawa. While he was in the depot building
Bowman and the landlord drove by. Before they had reached the inn the
train came up and Fred entered the rear car.

He breathed a sigh of relief as the cars quickened their speed and St.
Victor faded in the distance.

Meanwhile Bowman and the landlord reached the hotel. Jack, the
stable-boy, came forward and took charge of the team.

"Here is a letter for you, Mr. Bluff," he said.

"A letter!" repeated the landlord, with a look of wonder. He opened it
and uttered a cry of surprise.

"The boy's gone!" he ejaculated.

"What boy?" asked Bowman, not suspecting the truth.

"Young Fenton."

"Gone away! What do you mean?"

"Read that."

He passed the note to Bowman, who read as follows:

DEAR SIR:--I am called away on business. I enclose the amount due you.
If it is not right I will communicate with you as soon as I have
reached New York. Remember me to Mr. Bowman.

FRED FENTON.

"Called away on business!" repeated Bowman suspiciously. "That is
queer. What did the boy say?" he asked of Jack. "When did he first
speak of going away?"

"I think he made up his mind sudden, sir."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"He said he was goin' back to New York."

"Received a summons from his employer, I suppose."

"Very likely, sir."

"Do you know if he went to see Mr. Sinclair?"

"Yes, sir. He went fust part of the evenin'."

"Then Sinclair can tell me about it."

"Very likely, sir."

Not daring to take Jack too deeply into his confidence, Fred had told
him that he was going to New York, which was true, or would be very
shortly.

"If he had waited till to-morrow we might have gone together," t