Col. Vincent was inside.
"Welcome, Frank!" he said, grasping heartily the hand of our young hero. "I am delighted to see you. You are looking well, and, bless me, how you have grown!"
"Thank you, Col. Vincent. Do you expect me to return the compliment?"
"About having grown? No, Frank, I hope not. I am six feet one, and don't care to grow any taller. Well, what do you think of the news?"
"I have some for you, colonel;" and Frank mentioned what his new acquaintance had told him.
"The missing link!" exclaimed the colonel, excited. "Do you know what I think?"
"What?"
"That this man either forged the will which gives the property to your stepfather, or is cognizant of it!"
"I thought of that."
"I shall be impatient to see him."