"He got a pretty stiff sum," answered Fox cautiously.

"Do you keep his money?"

"Yes."

"Is he easy to manage?" asked John Blake.

"Well, some folks might find trouble with him," said Fox,
complacently. "The fact is, gentlemen, I don't mind telling you that
he's been trying to buck agin' his guardeen a'ready. Where do you
think I left him?" continued Fox, chuckling.

"Where?"

"Up in the attic, locked up in his chamber. I'm goin' to feed him on
bread and water a while, just to show him what sort of a man John Fox
is."

A grin overspread the face of Eben Bond, who had just looked out of
the front window.

"So you left him in the attic, hey?" he said, waggishly.

"Yes, I did. Do you mean to say I didn't?"

"I'm willin' to bet he isn't there now."

"You just tell me what you mean, Eben Bond!" said John Fox, provoked.