"Don"t you think she would have done so, had she had such a plan in view?"
"I do," said Frank, quickly.
The colonel"s eye met his, and each knew what the other suspected.
"There is nothing for me to do at present, sir," said Frank. "If Mr.
Manning does not interfere with my plans, I shall not trouble him."
"I will hint as much when I see him. It may clear the way for you."
"I wish you would, sir."
"Come and see me again, Frank," said the colonel, as Frank rose to go.
"I certainly will, sir."
"Your father"s son will always be welcome at my house. When did you say your school term closes?"
"In a fortnight."
"I will see your stepfather within a few days. By the way, Frank, wouldn"t you like a gallop on Ajax to-night?"
"Yes, sir; I should enjoy it."
"Come out to the stable with me, then."
Ajax whinnied with delight when he saw his old, or rather his young master, and evinced satisfaction when Frank stroked him caressingly.
"Sam," said Col. Vincent, "Frank is to ride Ajax whenever he pleases.
Saddle him for his use whenever he asks you."
"That I will, sir" answered Sam. "Often and often I"ve seen Mr. Frank on his back. Doesn"t he ride well, though?"
"Don"t flatter me, Sam," said Frank, laughing.
Five minutes later he was on the back of his favorite horse, galloping down the road.
"I hope I shall meet Mark," thought Frank. "I would like to give him a sensation."
Considering the manner in which Mark had treated his stepbrother, Frank may be excused for the wish to puzzle him a little.
Finding himself lonely, Mark decided to take a walk not long after Frank"s departure. He was sauntering along the road, when he heard the sound of hoofs, and, to his surprise, saw his stepbrother on the back of Ajax.
His first thought was that Frank had gone to Col. Vincent"s stable and brought away Ajax without permission, in defiance of Mr. Manning"s will.
He resolved to take him to task for it immediately. Frank purposely slackened the speed of his horse in order to give Mark the chance he sought.
"Why are you riding Ajax?" asked Mark.
"It is a pleasant evening," answered Frank, "and I thought I should enjoy it."
"Where did you get him?"
"From Col. Vincent"s stable, where he never ought to have been carried,"
answered Frank, with spirit.
"You seem to think you can do anything you like, Frank Courtney," said Mark, provoked, deciding that his suspicions were well founded.
"Is there any particular reason why I should not ride Ajax?" demanded Frank.
"You have made yourself liable to arrest for horse stealing," said Mark.
"It would serve you right if Col. Vincent should have you arrested and tried."
"I don"t think he will gratify your kind wishes, Mark."
"Just wait and see what my father has to say to you."
"I have only done what I had a perfect right to do; but I can"t stop to dispute with you. I must finish my ride. Hey, Ajax!"
As he spoke the horse dashed into a gallop, and Mark was left looking after him in a disturbed frame of mind.
"I"ll tell my father as soon as he gets home," he decided; and he kept his word.
In consequence, Frank, by that time returned, was summoned into Mr.
Manning"s presence.
"What is this I hear?" he began. "Did you ride Ajax this evening?"
"Yes, sir."
"Where did you find him?"
"In Col. Vincent"s stable."
"This is a high-handed proceeding, Frank Courtney. Have you any excuse to offer?"
"None is needed sir. Col. Vincent has given me permission to ride him whenever I please."
"It appears to me, Mark," said Mr. Manning, sharply, "that you have made a fool of yourself."
"How should I know?" replied Mark, mortified by the collapse of his sensation. "Frank didn"t tell me he had leave to use the horse."
And he left the room, looking foolish.
CHAPTER X
MARK YIELDS TO TEMPTATION