"And, as I got through sooner than I expected, Nephew Richard, I came over to see you, as I promised. But I'll soon have to be getting back. I've got a new hired man, and I know he'll feed too much to the stock, and ruin 'em, to say nothing of wasting grain. I must get back before feeding time." "I hope you'll stay and take lunch with me," suggested Dick, as he thought he saw a hungry look in his uncle's face. "Yes, I might," was the answer, as though Mr. Larabee was doing Dick a favor. "Then I'll send word to have a place laid for you at our table. You know some of my friends, I think." "Humph! Yes, I do, and I can't say I altogether approve of 'em, Nephew Richard. They spend too much money." "Well I guess they've got plenty to spend," said Dick, for Kentfield Academy was attended by the sons of many rich men, though it was in no sense a snobbish institution. "Yes," went on Uncle Ezra, with a grim chuckle, "I came here to meet a young man, and I met him. I came to teach him a lesson, and I taught it. I guess Mr. Frank Wardell won't be so high and mighty after this. I cleaned him out--and it was all done in a regular way, too. I cleaned him out." "Ruined him, you mean, Uncle Ezra?" "Well, _he_ accused me of that, but it wa'n't my fault. He brought it on himself, and he can start over again. He's young yet." "But what will become of him, Uncle Ezra, if he hasn't any money?" "I don't know, and he didn't either by the way he rushed off after I got through with him," and the old man chuckled. "But I reckon he can go to work like the rest of us. I offered him a place in my woolen mill at Dankville. I said I could pay him five dollars a week to start, though I know he wouldn't be wuth it. But he might learn the trade." Dick said nothing, but the thought of a ruined man, who must have had a considerable fortune, going to work for Uncle Ezra in the woolen mill for five dollars a week, struck our hero as being rather pathetic. "Did he take your offer, Mr. Larabee?" asked Paul. "He did not!" exclaimed Dick's uncle. "He said he'd become a tramp first. Wa'al, he kin if he wants to--there's no law ag'in' it!" and again he chuckled mirthlessly. "I'll go see about lunch," volunteered Dick. "Oh, something for me, Toots?" he exclaimed, as he opened the door, and saw an old Sergeant standing there with an envelope in his hand. "Yes, a letter, Mr. Hamilton." "It's from dad!" exclaimed our hero, as he noted the writing. "I hope he has taken my advice, and will withdraw you from this useless military academy," spoke Uncle Ezra. "It is time you went to work, Nephew Richard." "I'll be back in a little while," replied Dick, not taking the trouble to answer his uncle directly, and he hurried off down the corridor to arrange about having his guest at luncheon in the mess hall.