"I want to see my aunt," he said to the landlady.
"Mrs. Vernon is not feeling very well," said Mrs. Cabe.
"I guess she will see me," he returned, and pushed past her and up to Mrs. Vernon's apartment. Robert heard him coming, and the two met at the door.
"What do you want?" asked our hero shortly. He saw at once that Vernon was partly under the influence of liquor.
"None of your business," retorted the young man. "My business is with my aunt."
"She is not well to-night."
"Then it is your fault, Frost. I heard all about how you let those horses run away with her."
By this time Mrs. Vernon had come to the door, and Frederic Vernon pushed his way into the room. Robert followed, and at the same time his hand went into his pocket to feel if the pistol Farmer Parsons had surrendered was still where he had placed it.
"Well, aunt, I've heard that you came close to losing your life this noon," began Frederic Vernon.
"It is true," answered Mrs. Vernon coldly.