"How do you know?" asked Fred in excitement.
"I heard him say so to the boss. He doesn't want you to know it."
"Why not?"
"He is afraid you will tell his partner, the sick man."
Fred whistled.
"That is news," he said. "I suspected it might be so, but didn't know for sure."
"Shall you tell Mr. Sinclair?"
"Yes, I think I ought to do so."
"That's so! He's a nicer man than old Bowman."
Fred, immersed in thought, walked over to the cottage. James Sinclair received him with evident joy.