The Black Stallion Returns Read Online Free Page B

Mr. Volence. “There may be a connection somewhere,” he said. “I’m sure he recognized the medallion on the gold chain.”
    “He may have recognized it, Alec,” Henry insisted, “but I’m certain he didn’t have anything to do with the attack on the Black.”
    Mr. Volence nodded. “I’m inclined to agree withHenry, Alec. Abu Ishak would have no reason for wanting to harm his own horse.”
    “You’re probably right,” Alec said, “but still …”
    The three sat in silence for a few minutes. Finally, Mr. Volence slapped his hands on his knees and said, “Well, I guess it’ll be one of those unsolved mysteries. Too bad the Black got away. We’ll probably never see another like him.” He stood up. “I plan to go abroad in a few weeks to see if I can’t pick up some stallions.”
    Alec eyed Mr. Volence. “Where do you think you’ll go, sir?” he asked. Henry noted a strained note in his voice.
    “Probably England, Alec. Have a better chance of getting some good stock there than any place else.”
    “Why?”
    The tall man looked down at Alec and there was a slight twinkle in his eyes. “Say, what are you driving at, Alec? As far as I know, and I’ve been in this business a long time, the English are pretty good at horse-breeding. Take a look at the records,” he added, smiling. “You’ll find I’m right.”
    Alec’s face was serious and his gaze didn’t waver. “How about the Black, sir? Do you think that he was born, well, overnight? Don’t you think a horse like that … you said yourself that we’ll probably never see another like him … don’t you think he’s the result of years and years of careful breeding?”
    Mr. Volence looked at Henry and they both nodded.
    Alec continued, “I don’t think Abu Ishak is any amateur at this horse-breeding business. And it just seems to me, Mr. Volence, that if I were you and so intentupon improving the bloodline of the American thoroughbred, I’d skip England and go to Arabia instead and find Abu Ishak!”
    Mr. Volence and Henry stared at Alec. They were silent for a minute, then Henry said, “But that’s a little like trying to find a needle in a haystack, isn’t it, Alec?”
    “Guess so, Henry. Still, if the needle was pretty important to you, you’d probably find it.” His gaze turned to Mr. Volence. “Isn’t that right, sir?”
    Mr. Volence didn’t answer immediately. His eyes left Alec and turned toward the open field. Alec watched him anxiously.
    “You may have something, Alec,” he finally said.
    “Maybe,” Henry suggested, “the American Consulate in Arabia could help you locate Abu.”
    “That’s an idea, Henry,” Mr. Volence replied. “I wonder how much information I could dig up in Washington. Is there a phone around here?”
    “You can use ours,” Alec said excitedly. “C’mon.”
    As they climbed the steps to Alec’s house, Mr. Volence asked, “Do you think Abu Ishak would sell the Black if I offered him a good price?”
    “I don’t think so,” Alec answered, “but I’m sure you’ll find that he has others he probably will sell.”
    Entering the house, Alec said, “Mom’s out … the phone’s in here.” He led the way to it, and waited patiently while Mr. Volence asked the operator for a Washington number.
    “If my Washington office can’t get some information on Abu Ishak, nobody can,” he explained.
    A few minutes passed, then finally he got his connection.
    “Flynn, this is Volence,” they heard him say. “Look, I’ve got an important job for you to do. I want you to get all the information you can concerning an Abu Ishak … Ishak … I-S-H-A-K … yeah, that’s it. He’s in Arabia. No, I don’t know where. That’s what I want you to find out. That, and anything else. Use every available source. Yes, and also cable the American Consulate if you have to. I want to get in touch with Abu Ishak, if possible. No, I don’t know anything about him, other than that he seems to be