“Three days,” was the answer. “But I’m going to try and stave it off.”
It was a vain attempt, however. Three days later, when the storm had cleared, the boys came in from a fishing trip and found Mrs. Brun weeping, and the servants very much upset.
“What has happened?” demanded Frank of the housekeeper.
“Your dear—uncle—they came and took him away,” she sobbed.
“Took him away! Who?”
“I don’t know. But he told me to tell you he was under arrest, and that you would understand.”
“Under arrest!” exclaimed Frank, and as Ned echoed the words the brothers looked apprehensively at each other.
CHAPTER IV—SHIFTING FOR THEMSELVES
Gradually, from the very much upset housekeeper and from the servants, Ned and Frank obtained an account of what had happened. Their uncle, who had been busily engaged in the intervening days in trying to straighten matters out, had arrived from New York in the early afternoon.
He had been busy in the library over papers and documents, when two strangers called and spent some time with him. There were loud words, the housekeeper said, and then Mr. Arden had come out, accompanied by the two men.