The Black Stallion Returns Read Online Free Page A

think I’ll go up to my room, if you don’t mind, there’s a book …” He walked quickly inside the house.
    The following day Alec visited the old barn for the first time since the Black’s departure. Nearing it, he heard Tony’s voice. “That’sa good-a horse, Napoleon. Tomorrow you feel-a beeg again.” Alec glanced at his watch. It was early in the afternoon for Tony and Napoleon to have completed their rounds.
    When he entered the barn he saw Tony alone with Napoleon. The little Italian huckster had the old gray horse’s head between his hands and was looking at him worriedly. “Anything the matter, Tony?” Alec asked after a moment’s hesitation.
    “ ’Allo, Aleec. It’sa da Nappy, he no feel so good.”
    Walking over to them, Alec ran his hand across the horse’s back. “He’s getting old, Tony. Have you seen a vet?”
    “No. Napoleon, he no need a vet. He still wan young feller. Know what’sa da matta with him? He misses da big Black, that’s all.”
    “Yeah, Tony … guess that’s it. And I’m sure the Black misses him.”
    Tony led Napoleon into his stall, and Alec walked to the barn door. Outside he saw Henry. Calling, he ran toward him.
    Henry smiled as Alec came up. “Missed you,” he said, “but imagined exams were keepin’ you pretty busy. How’d they go?”
    “Okay,” Alec said, “passed ’em all.”
    They walked to the barn and sat down on the bench. Finally, Tony came out. “ ’Allo, Henree,” he said, “what’sa new?”
    “Nothin’, Tony. Same old stuff. Napoleon any better?”
    “He’s-a okay. Just what ya call it … depressed? Anyway, he miss-a da Black.”
    “He’ll be all right in a few days,” Henry assured him.
    “You betch. Time-a heals everythin’.” His black eyes shifted to Alec. “Well-a hafta go home to da wife and bambinos. Addio!”
    A few minutes after Tony had left, Alec and Henry saw a limousine pull up in front of the gate. A tall man got out, pushed his hat to the back of his head, and looked inquiringly in the direction of the barn.
    “Say, Henry!” Alec shouted. “That looks a lot like Mr. Volence!”
    “Bejabbers! It sure does. C’mon.”
    The two ran toward the gate. Neither had seen the wealthy owner of Sun Raider since the big race in Chicago, when the Black had beaten his horse.
    Alec was the first to recognize him. “It’s Mr. Volence all right, Henry,” he shouted.
    “Yeah. Wonder what he wants?”
    Mr. Volence met them at the gate. “Henry! Alec! It’s good seeing you again!” His large, heavily jowled face creased in a big grin.
    A few minutes later they walked toward the barn. “So this is where you keep that black devil,” Mr. Volence said. “Tell me, has he calmed down any or is he as wild as ever?”
    Henry looked at Alec. Alec shoved his hands in his pockets and said quietly, “He doesn’t live here anymore, Mr. Volence.”
    “You … you mean you sold him?”
    “No,” Alec explained. “His real owner turned up.”
    Then Alec told him the whole story. When he had finished, Mr. Volence walked slowly over to the bench and sat down. “That’s like something out of a book,” he said. “You know,” he continued, “one of the reasons I came to New York was to see if you wouldn’t sell the Black. I’ve retired Sun Raider to stud at my farm in Kentucky, but I still need a few more good stallions. The Black could have done much to improve the bloodline of the American thoroughbred, you know. At least, that’s my belief.”
    “That’s just what I said,” Henry agreed.
    Alec looked at Mr. Volence. “There’s still more to the story … something that happened the night before Abu Ishak showed up.” Then he proceeded to tell him about the mysterious night visitor who had attempted to kill the Black.
    “Whew!” Mr. Volence said when Alec finished. “And you don’t think there’s any connection between Abu Ishak and the Black’s attacker?”
    Alec’s gaze shifted to Henry, then back to