"Read that."
He passed the note to Bowman, who read as follows:
DEAR SIR:—I am called away on business. I enclose the amount due you. If it is not right I will communicate with you as soon as I have reached New York. Remember me to Mr. Bowman.
FRED FENTON.
"Called away on business!" repeated Bowman suspiciously. "That is queer. What did the boy say?" he asked of Jack. "When did he first speak of going away?"
"I think he made up his mind sudden, sir."
"Did he say where he was going?"
"He said he was goin' back to New York."
"Received a summons from his employer, I suppose."
"Very likely, sir."