“But the barn isn’t in very good shape, son,” said Mrs. Dailey. She smiled. “And we already have a boarder in the one good stall!”

“A boarder?”

“Yes, Tony, the huckster, keeps old Napoleon down there now.”

“Napoleon? Do you mean the old gray horse he’s always had?” Alec asked.

“Yes, that’s the one—seems to me he should die any day now, though, then you’ll be able to use his stall!”

“But I don’t know of any other place I could keep my horse, Mrs. Dailey.” Alec was beginning to feel desperate. “Don’t you have another stall he could use?”

“Well, I suppose the stall right next to Napoleon could be fixed up, but I haven’t the time or the money to have it done. If you want to keep your horse there, you’ll have to fix it yourself.”

“Sure I will, Mrs. Dailey!” said Alec happily. “Could I keep him there tonight?”

“Oh, all right,” she gave in with a smile. “And if you do a good job in the barn, I’ll go easy on the rent.”

“That’s swell of you, Mrs. Dailey. I’ll do a good job all right!”

“I’ll get my husband to open the gate for you,” she said. “Henry!” she called loudly. “He’ll be down in a few minutes, I suppose. You can drive to the gate—I’ll have him meet you there.”

“Thanks again, Mrs. Dailey,” said Alec. “Thanks a million times.” He turned and leaped down the porch steps.

“She’s going to let me keep him here!” he shouted as he jumped on the running board of the van.

“That’s good,” answered his father.

“You’re quite a salesman!” laughed Joe Russo. Alec saw that he was making notes on his pad.

“Wait until she sees what’s going to stay in her barn!” said Alec’s father gravely.

They drove past a high iron fence until they reached the gate. There they stopped and waited for Henry. Finally he showed up—a short, chunky man with large shoulders. He came toward them walking in jerky, bowlegged strides. His white shirt tails flapped in the night wind. He wiped a large hand across his mouth. “Right with you,” he yelled. He shoved a key inside the lock and then pushed back the heavy gate; the hinges creaked as it swung open. “Come on,” he said.

The van rolled through and went up the gravel road to the barn. The headlights shone on the large door. Henry came up behind them. “I’ll open the door,” he said, “and you can bring him right in.”

Alec let down the side door of the van so that he could get the stallion out. He grasped the halter. “It’s your new home, Boy!” he said. Slowly he led the stallion down to the ground. The Black tossed his head and kicked up his heels.

“Look at him!” said Alec. “He feels swell already!” He saw the men gazing admiringly at the stallion.

Henry leaned on the barn door; his eyes moved slowly over the Black. “The Missus told me you had a horse—but I never expected one like this!” He shook his head. “Good head, wide chest, strong legs,” he muttered, almost to himself.