Ned almost gasped! So the boy was likely to talk of kings and
princes! He was likely to become masterful in his manners!

"I may have to change my mind," he thought. "This may be the prince,
and not Mike III. But the boy's English, and there's his street
slang! What about that? I reckon that we have a job on our hands!"

The two stood talking together in the moonlight for some moments, the
stranger evidently resolved to make a good impression on the boys,
while Frank walked on along the trail, looking back now and then to
see if his chum was coming.

"This boy's father," the man went on, "has permitted him to have his
own way about everything. That was a mistake, of course, but he is
trying to rectify it now by placing him under the care of his
grandmother, who, if I mistake not, will see that he is properly
disciplined."

"It has been a long time since the father left here," Ned suggested.

"Yes, along time."

"He is doing well in Washington?"

"Yes, he is connected with the State department."

Ned made a mental note of that!

"And is receiving a fair salary?" he asked.