"Where have you been?" he inquired abruptly.

 

"I have been to ride," answered Fred, with an appearance of unconcern.

 

"I thought you were going to call on Sinclair."

 

"So I was, but after you left I decided to take a walk in another direction. I met John, and engaged him to take me to drive."

 

"Are you going home now?"

 

"Yes, I think so. Can you take me to the hotel, John?"

 

"Yes," answered his companion readily.

 

"Then we will follow along behind Mr. Bowman."

 

Of course there could be no private conversation, so John and he spoke on indifferent topics. When they reached the hotel Fred jumped from the buggy.

 

"Good-by, John," he said. "You will hear from me soon," he added in a significant tone.

 

Then he joined Bowman, who was wholly unsuspicious of the disaster that had befallen him.

 

"I should like to go over to Sinclair's," thought Fred, "but I suppose Bowman will expect me to keep him company."

 

But in this he was agreeably disappointed.

 

At seven o'clock the landlord drove round, and Bowman sprang into the buggy.

 

"Sorry to leave you, Fred," he said, "but we are going to Vaudry on a little business. Hope you won't be lonely."

 

"Never mind me, Mr. Bowman. I think I will go over to see Mr. Sinclair. He will probably expect me. Have you any message?"

 

Bowman looked significantly at the landlord.

 

"Tell him I will call to-morrow or next day," he said. "At present I am very busy."

 

The two drove away, leaving Fred and a stable boy named Jack looking after them.

 

"He's going to skip to-morrow," said Jack confidentially.

 

"Who?"

 

"Mr. Bowman."

 

"How do you know?" asked Fred in excitement.

 

"I heard him say so to the boss. He doesn't want you to know it."

 

"Why not?"

 

"He is afraid you will tell his partner, the sick man."

 

Fred whistled.

 

"That is news," he said. "I suspected it might be so, but didn't know for sure."

 

"Shall you tell Mr. Sinclair?"

 

"Yes, I think I ought to do so."

 

"That's so! He's a nicer man than old Bowman."

 

Fred, immersed in thought, walked over to the cottage. James Sinclair received him with evident joy.

 

"I expected you this afternoon," he said. "The hours seemed very long."

 

"I was employed on very important business," said Fred significantly.

 

"You don't mean----"

 

"I mean," said Fred, bending over and whispering in the sick man's ear, "that I have found the bonds."

 

"Where are they?"

 

"On the way to New York, by express."

 

"What a burden off my heart!" ejaculated Sinclair fervently. "Tell me about it," he added, after a pause.

 

Fred did so.

 

"Now," he added, "there will be nothing to prevent your coming to New York and taking your old place."

 

"I think I shall recover now," responded Sinclair. "Your news makes me feel fifty per cent. better."

 

"I have more news for you."

 

"What is it?"

 

"Bowman is planning to leave St. Victor to-morrow, without a word to you. He means to leave you in the lurch."

 

"He can go now. I shall be glad to part with him--and forever."

 

"That is his intention, but when he finds the bonds have disappeared, 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.............