To the no small astonishment of both boys, the first person upon whom their eyes rested was Mr. Fuller—Frank's father.
He had come down from Boston to see how his son was getting on, and hoping to hear a good report of him. He also had some news to communicate that, twenty-four hours before, would have made the boys dance with delight.
He had decided to start for California, on a business tour, in about three weeks; he was going to take Frank with him, and he had asked Mr. Parker to allow Leon to accompany them.
The subject was broached that morning when Mr. Fuller first arrived, and Frank and Leon's prospects for making an extended pleasure-trip looked very bright indeed; but, during the discussion, Miles Jackson—acting under instructions from Mr. Chamberlain—suddenly made his appearance, and wanted to know why the boys were not at school.
The runaway business dashed all their prospects to the ground—and that was only the beginning of their trouble.
Another occupant of the room—whom the boys did not expect to see—was Mr. Parker, who was generally at his office this hour of the day.
As the truants came in, he arose and moved toward the library, beckoning to Leon to follow him.
He closed the door behind him, Mrs. Parker left the room, and Frank found himself alone with his father.
"Well, young man," said Mr. Fuller, "where have you been to-day?"