CHAPTER V 

FOLLOWING A TRAIL 

Frank had started early for a walk with one of his school friends. Returning through the town at three in the afternoon, he saw people talking in groups. They presently met one of their chums. 

"What is going on, Vincent?" 

"Why, have you not heard? Faulkner, the magistrate, has been shot." 

"Shot!" the two boys exclaimed. "Do you mean on purpose or accidentally?" 

"On purpose. The servants heard a gun fired close by, and a minute later his horse galloped up to the door. Two men ran along the drive, and, not a hundred yards from the house, found him lying shot through the body. Three of the doctors went off at once. Thompson came back ten minutes ago, for some instruments, I believe. He stopped his gig for a moment to speak to the Rector, and I hear he told him that it might be as well for him to go up at once, as there was very little probability of Faulkner's living through the night." 

"Well, I can't say that I am surprised," Frank said. "He has made himself so disliked, there are so many men who have a grudge against him, and he has been threatened so often, that I have heard fellows say dozens of times he would be shot some day. And yet I suppose no one ever really thought that it would come true; anyhow it is a very bad affair." 

Leaving the other two talking together, Frank went on home. Mrs. Troutbeck was greatly shocked at the news. 
What friend did they meet?
 They presently met one of their chums. 

"What is going on, Vincent?"