Out For Business or Robert Frost's Strange Career. Stratemeyer Edward

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СКАЧАТЬ is the key?"

      "In Mr. Talbot's pocket, I presume."

      "Why did he lock you in?"

      "Because I would not agree to saw and split the wood in place of Mr. Webber next week."

      "That is shameful. Poor boy! and you have had no breakfast."

      "And am not likely to have, unless you can pass some through the key-hole. You see what sort of a man you have married, mother."

      Mrs. Talbot was silent. She began to realize it herself.

      "How is this going to end?" she asked, half crying.

      "Don't mind me, mother. I'll get out some way."

      "I will ask James—Mr. Talbot for the key."

      "He won't give it to you. Let things take their course. I will consider what is best to be done. But first, is there any other key in the house that will fit this door?"

      "No, I don't think so."

      When Mrs. Talbot went downstairs her husband was half through breakfast.

      "I am afraid your breakfast will be cold, my dear," he said.

      "How can you act so meanly, James?"

      "It is all for Robert's good. He has been too much indulged. I want to make a man of him. What did he say to you?"

      "He told me not to mind—that he would get out some way."

      "Perhaps through the key-hole," laughed James Talbot, apparently much amused.

      "You are real mean," whimpered his wife. "The poor boy has had no breakfast."

      "Don't let that interfere with your breakfasting, Mrs. T."

      "How can I eat when he is hungry?"

      "You see it doesn't affect my appetite. Really, this steak is unusually good."

      Meanwhile Robert was considering how he was to escape. It was rather a puzzling question to consider, and he could not think of any way. But as he was looking out of the window he saw Sam Jones, a school friend, pass by. An idea came to him. Sam's father was a carpenter, and the owner of a tall ladder.

      "I say, Sam!" he called out.

      Sam looked up in the direction of the voice, and to his surprise saw Robert at the window.

      "What's up?" he asked.

      "I am."

      "Why don't you come down?"

      "For a very good reason—because I am locked in."

      "What's that for?" asked Sam in natural surprise.

      Robert explained.

      "What are you going to do?"

      "Get out, if you will help me."

      "What shall I do?"

      "Ask your father to bring his tall ladder. I am sure it will reach up to my window. Only be quick about it. I want to get out before Mr. Talbot is through breakfast."

      "I'll do it. It will be good fun to circumvent the old rascal."

      Sam started on a run, and in less than ten minutes came back with his father and the ladder. Mr. Jones was very ready to lend his assistance, for he had taken a dislike to Mr. Talbot, who had beaten him down on the price of some repairs he had made to the barn.

      The two together put up the ladder against the window, and Robert stepping through the opening, put his foot on the top rung and quickly descended.

      He breathed a sigh of relief and exultation as he set foot on the ground.

      "That's the first time I was ever a prisoner, and I don't like it," he said. "I wish I had old Talbot up there. He wouldn't dare to escape as I did, for he is an awful coward."

      He told the story of the dog, and how frightened his step-father had been. Sam and his father enjoyed the story.

      "Now, take away the ladder quick. I don't want Mr. Talbot to know how I got out. I mustn't forget to thank you for your kindness."

      "You can do as much for me if father ever locks me up," said Sam.

      "I don't think there's much danger."

      Meanwhile, Mr. Talbot having got through breakfast went upstairs to enjoy the uncomfortable position of his step-son.

      "Robert!" he called through the key-hole.

      There was no answer.

      "You needn't be sullen. It will do you no good."

      Still there was no answer.

      "I would open the door," thought the man, "but he may be lying in wait for me, and he is very strong for a boy."

      A third time he called, but still there was no answer.

      "I hope he hasn't done anything desperate," thought James Talbot.

      Finally he summoned up courage to unlock the door. Lo, the bird was flown, and the window was open.

      "I wonder if he has jumped out!" said Talbot in alarm.

      He went to the window and looked out, but could see nothing of Robert.

      "It is very strange," he muttered. "If he had broken a limb, he would be lying on the lawn."

      He went downstairs considerably perturbed. Hearing noise in the dining-room, he looked in, and saw Robert sitting at the table.

      "Good morning, Mr. Talbot," said Robert, with much politeness. "You will excuse my being late to breakfast, but circumstances prevented my being on time."

      James Talbot sank into a chair and stared at Robert open-mouthed.

      "Did you get out of the window?" he asked.

      "Yes, but next time I'd rather go through the door."

      "What a very remarkable boy!" thought his step-father.

      CHAPTER V.

      A CRISIS

      Nothing more was said about the woodpile. Apparently Mr. Talbot concluded that he was not likely to carry his point, and prudently withdrew from the conflict. But his sense of defeat only made him the more incensed against his rebellious step-son.

      "I would give five dollars to see that boy thrashed," he said to himself moodily, as from the window he watched Robert playing ball in the street with his friend Sam Jones.

      As Robert seemed to be enjoying himself, he could not resist the temptation to interfere.

      So he opened the window and called out, "Robert, I wish you would stop playing ball in the street."

      "Why?" asked his step-son.

      "Because СКАЧАТЬ