"Where is the villain Sharpley?"
"He left the next day. He said he should hurry back to America to carry the sad news to the parents of the poor boy."
"And get his pay from Craven."
"I hope, Mr. Tarbox, that your suspicions are groundless. I should be very unwilling to believe in such wickedness."
"I hope so, too. If it was an accident I should think it was the will of God; but if that villain has murdered him I know it ain't. I wish I could overhaul Sharpley."
"What do you propose to do, Mr. Tarbox?"
"I'll tell you, Mr. Abercrombie. Fust and foremost, I'm going to that place where the accident happened, and I mean to find Frank dead or alive. If he's dead, I'll try to find out if he was murdered or not. If he's alive, I'll take care of him, and he'll tell me all about it."
"Mr. Tarbox," said the other, taking his hand, "I respect you for the strength of your attachment to the poor lad. I saw but little of him, but enough to be assured that he was a bold, manly boy, of a noble nature and a kind disposition. Pardon me for the offer I am about to make, but I hope you will allow me to pay the expenses of this investigation. You give your time; let me give my money, which is of less value."
"Thank you, Mr. Abercrombie," said Mr. Tarbox. "You're a gentleman; but I've got a little money, and I'd just as lief use it for Frank. I'll pay my own expenses."
"At any rate, I will give you my address, and if you get short of money I hope you will apply to me without fail."