“I’m sorry father had to fire Wade, the head hostler, to-night,” said St. Ives.
“Had to fire him?” questioned Frank. “What for?”
“He was drunk and insolent. But he knows more about taking charge of a stable than any man I ever saw, and he kept our hunters in fine condition. He has been drinking too much lately, however, and he was getting intolerable. By the way, Merriwell, you had better look out for him.”
“Why—how is that?”
“He seemed to think you were the cause of his dismissal, and he said he would ‘make it all right.’ He’s got a bad temper when he’s boozing.”
“Why, I didn’t say anything to your father about Wade.”
“I know it, but I told father about your trouble with him, and it is possible that’s why father was so ready to get rid of the fellow. Father insists that his guests shall be treated properly by everybody connected with the place.”
“If Mr. Wade knows what’s good for him, he’ll let Merry alone,” declared Rattleton.
“He may not be seen around here again,” said Kenneth. “Father told him to get away and stay away.”
The boys’ discussed the prospect of a hunt and grew very enthusiastic over it, with the exception of Browning. Hodge was aroused, for he fancied he saw his opportunity of making evident the fact that he was quite as good a horseman as Diamond, whom he could not help envying for the glory he had won at polo.