"No. Go back and you will soon see him."
Nahum Sprague was much pleased when the two boys brought home this intelligence. He had prepared a bill for expenses amounting to a hundred dollars, on which his profit would be considerable. Money with him was all powerful, and though he would have been glad to give Philip a good thrashing, he cared still more for money.
When Philip made his appearance, accompanied by Albert and Arthur Burks, Mr. Sprague greeted him with a genial smile.
"I am almost tempted to call you a bad boy," he said. "You have made me feel quite anxious. This young gentleman has come here to take you to New York. We shall miss you sadly, Mrs. Sprague and I, but if it is for your good we won't complain."
"Are you willing to go with me, Philip?" asked Mark.
Philip looked up in Mark's face, and did not hesitate a moment.
"Yes," he said, placing his hand in Mark's; "I am ready to go now."
"I don't know whether your clothes are ready," said Mr. Sprague. "They may need washing."
Poor Philip's appearance was such that Mark felt that he would at once have to buy him a new outfit.
"Never mind about the clothes, Mr. Sprague," he said. "I shall buy Philip some new ones."