"Why, that's the head gardener at Hope!" said Tom. "It is queer that he should be on this train, Sam!"
"If you'll remember, he lost his job at the seminary."
"He did? I didn't hear anything of that."
"Oh, yes, Grace told me about it. He was a splendid gardener, but every once in a while he would drink too much, and then get into a quarrel with the other help, so they had to let him go."
"It's a shame that such fellows can't leave drink alone," was Tom's comment.
The man had settled himself, and ordered quite an elaborate dinner. He was in the midst of eating, with the Rover boys paying little attention to him, when he happened to glance at them. He straightened up and stared in astonishment, and then looked decidedly uncomfortable.
"He's looking at us, Tom," whispered Sam.
"Well, let him look if he wants to. It doesn't cost anything," was the reply. And then Tom turned his head squarely, and stared at the former seminary gardener. Immediately, the man dropped his eyes, and went on with his meal. He soon finished, and, paying his bill, left the dining car in a hurry.
"That's a queer way to do," was Sam's comment. "He acted as if he didn't want us to see him."
"Maybe he is ashamed of himself for having lost his position," returned the brother. "Anyway, it's none of our business." And there the talk came to an end.