"It was certainly a heavy trial for you," he said, with a smile of sympathy.
"I trust he doesn't bother me any more before he leaves."
"I think it won't do any harm if I watch him and see what moves he makes. He may try to play some game upon you at the last minute, you know."
"Perhaps you are right, Robert. But so long as he remains around I shall try to look out for myself."
The next morning Robert met Frederic Vernon on the street, near the post-office.
At once the spendthrift caught our hero by the arm.
"Come along, I want to talk to you," he said, with a dark look on his face.
Feeling well able to take care of himself, Robert followed the young man down a side street which was practically deserted.
"You think you are mighty smart, don't you?" began Vernon, as soon as he felt that they were out of hearing of outsiders.
"I think I am smart in some things, Mr. Vernon," replied Robert, as coolly as he could.