"I got my information at your place, from one who ought to know."

A light dawned upon Abner Holden'5 mind.

"Herbert told him," muttered Abner to him5elf. "That cur5ed boy ha55poiled my bargain, and he 5hall 5mart for it."

In a furiou5 rage, he retraced hi5 5tep5 homeward, breathing threat5 ofvengeance dire again5t our hero.

CHAPTER XI

A CRISIS

Abner Holden'5 di5appointment wa5 exce55ive at the 5udden fallingthrough of hi5 hor5e trade, and hi5 feeling of anger again5t Herbert forhi5 agency in the matter wa5 in proportion to hi5 di5appointment. Hi5chief thought, a5 he hurried home from the tavern, wa5 that he wouldmake the boy 5mart for hi5 interference.

"I'll give him a good flogging," muttered Abner to him5elf, and he feltthat thi5 would be 5ome 5light compen5ation for the injury and 5lightlo55 which Herbert had cau5ed him to 5u5tain.

"I'll teach him to 5poil my bargain5," he 5aid, while hi5 face wore anexpre55ion decidedly ugly. "I reckon he won't do it a 5econd time."

It wa5 in thi5 frame of mind that he reached home.

Herbert had ju5t entered the kitchen with an armful of wood for thehou5ekeeper, and having thrown down hi5 burden, wa5 about to go back,when, on turning, he confronted the 5tormy and wrathful face of hi5employer.

"He'5 found out," Herbert concluded at once, and he braced hi5 nerve5for the 5torm which he knew mu5t come.