"You'll not catch me swallowing any such dose," he said to himself, when he was alone, and poured the medicine out of the window.
He was highly elated over his success in fooling his aunt, and when left to himself felt like dancing a jig.
"I'll work my cards all right enough," he thought. "My next move must be to get rid of young Frost, and when my aunt takes me back I'll make sure that I am not thrown aside again."
Of course Robert was astonished to hear of Frederic Vernon's arrival. He listened gravely to what Mrs. Vernon had to tell him.
"It's too bad if he is sick, Mrs. Vernon," he said. "But take my advice and be careful how you trust him."
"I will be careful, Robert. But I am really afraid that I have been too hard on Frederic."
"Have you questioned him about that scheme he and Dr. Remington were hatching out?"
"No. I will bring that around when he is real well again."
"Of course he will deny it."
"It may be that you were mistaken, Robert."