The young master of Hyson Hall

by Frank R. Stockton

Chap did arrive soon, and the three boys went to the shady front porch to talk over matters.

When Chap heard what had happened to Emile he fairly danced with glee, and he gave Phœnix no rest until he had told the story with great minuteness.

Phil had made up his mind that he would tell Chap of the new trouble which threatened him, and he now concluded to take Phœnix also into his confidence. A fellow who had done what he had deserved to know all that was going on.

The dreadful revelation of the real object of Emile Touron’s visit, and the mortgage held by his father, took all the cheerfulness out of Chap, and made Phœnix look blank indeed.

At first the boys did not believe the story, but Phil was certain that such a thing would not be trumped up without any ground whatever.

“Of course, my uncle knows what he is about,” he said, “and intends to make everything all right: but he could have had no idea the Tourons would come down suddenly this way. If I could only let him know what is in the wind, he’d be back in no time, and put a stop to this foolery.”

Phil felt bound to speak as cheerfully and hopefully as he could, but the more he talked and thought upon the subject, the more doleful he felt. Both his friends agreed that the best thing he could do was to see somebody as soon as he could, and they supposed the right person to see was Mr. Welford.

Phil could not help agreeing with them; and, although he did not care to see Mr. Welford again after the way in which he had been treated by that gentleman in his last interview, he made up his mind to pay him a visit early the next morning. The matter was very urgent, and there was no one else with whom he could consult.

Joel now appeared upon the porch.

“That young French gentleman,” said he, “wants his clothes and things. He’s going away. He asked me to pack them up in his little trunk and bring it out to him. He says the people here haven’t been polite to him,”—and here Joel burst into a laugh at the thought of Phœnix’s impoliteness,—“and that he don’t care about coming to the house.”