"When shall you be back?" he asked.
"At three o'clock this afternoon."
"I will be on hand with the boy."
"Keep up your courage, Gilbert," said Mr. Grey, as he drove away.
Out of sight, a smile of triumph overspread his face.
"I didn't think Hugh would do his part so well," he soliloquized. "Really he is quite an actor. So I am rid of my troublesome responsibility at last. I hope never again to set eyes upon him."
On reaching home he stated that Gilbert had suddenly received a telegram summoning him to St. Louis; that he had carried him to a landing-place for the river boats, and agreed to dispatch his luggage to the Planters' House in that city by express. To keep up appearances he did so dispose of Gilbert's carpet-bag, directing it to
"Gilbert Grey, Planters' House, St. Louis, Mo."
"'Pears like he left mighty suddint," said Pompey.
"Yes; he has a friend very sick in St. Louis," explained Mr. Grey.