The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-28

decided that he had never seen Hen
bricks face hold such look of min
gled hesitancy and rigid determination
He clasped his hands together until tn
J. cigar was almost crushed.
d II say, Benton" he began. 'Now
!. don't take offense, but what do yol
: know about this-Montcastl believ,
s that's his name" uN
. Ralph started, returned the steady
gaze of the detective for a minute ant
then answered: goo
"What do I know about him? No,
3 much, suppose. Why do you ask?"
: ANSWER my question first. What dc
you know about himY"
Ralph clasped his knee with his hand
, and flushed.
"Hang it, Hendricks" he blurted
out, that's a beastly indicate ques-
J ton, coming right when it does! You
see, the fellow''-a' sieau .ae
i Il mean no offense," broke in Hen
bricks, his voice still tense and firm
"But what do you know about himp'
THE truth is" fioundered Ralph
in the rough waters of embarrassment,
1.-THE truth is: don't-that isl can {
say know blamed thing about him
actually. Ihave only known him slight
~ for about three months. He and l
have some mutual friends, but as he
lives far away-San Francisco is his
home-I do'not know much about him.
! You see, Ralph glanced into the draw
| ing room, 'my sister and he are stanch
friends. They have met at Newport
and in Europe, and to come right down
to facts she asked me to invite him
here to our house party. She assured
me he belonged to good family and
was a gentleman. You may be sure if ]
had not thought he was l should not
have consented to have him here. |
found him a pretty good fellow-a lit
tie slow-a little more English than
the average New Yorker, butt -
Ralph's powers of expression seemed
to fail him.
Hendricks crossed bis legs, leaned
back Oh the lounge, and half of his
crushed cigar fell to the rug at his feet.
"You remember" he said, "the tes-
tlmony OF Miss Hastings at the inquest?
She stated that she heard your father
telling some one that he would disown
somebody the next day."
lyon mentioned it last night" an
swered Ralph. 1T was the first had
heard Of it. asked Miss Hastings about
1t today. She seemed surprised that
had not understood. She told me she
had plainly heard my father say it and
that she had ever since thought he was
speaking to me. She appeared very
much upset over it and seemed delight |
ed to have me assure her that my father
had not spoken the words to me and !
that l had not been in his room that |
night then went to my sister and !
asked her If my father had used such |
words to her. She refused to answer,
seemed vexed at my question and asked |
me II you had said anything about her !
and Montcastle last night when / was
under arrest. told her you had not.
She wanted to know what had passed |
between us, but kept my promise to
you ana said nothing about your tbeo-
ri''s. She still believes my father COM
-lirted suicide, is very nervous and has |.
not peen ut all like herself since the
e-iey 4,Tt uaii.- I
Hendricks leaned forward. It seemed
to Lampkin, who was watching his
features closely, that he drew deep
breath before he began to speak. |
Benton" he said, "I am sure your
father was speaking to Miss, Benton
hat night. Moreover, I have conclusive
proof that both she and Mr.. Moutea stle
hastily packed their ,things that night, |.
vent In q cab tosthe station, and tried 1
o catch the l:30b train for New York
have''--Li lsfst aftef9 IN 3 sHrst s.f.ga9j
Ralph sprang to his feet. +
by heavens, Hendricks. he cried.
beware Of what you are sayingi II
you impugn the good name Of my sister.
Il you dare ~ ~ 1870
Keep quiet said Hendricks calm
y, and be leaned back ON the sofa.
Don't be impulsive. If you had known
me longer, you would know l do not
make rash statements. Besides, I hive
'aid nothing against the character OF
your sister. II you car account for Miss l.
Benton's and Montcastle's conduct that
night you may do them valuable sery.
ce. For the present, however, I am
bound to own that their actions, toReth.
y with their evident secrecy since that
night, have decidedly ugly look" /
The young mans anger subsidized. Il
wss as II sudden fear and suspicion had
'verpowered il. He leaned ON the back
p Ms chair with trembling hands His Ii
lace was dsathly pale.
Pardon me-" he said. "But You
'.y you know what you have Just stat. +
~ You know that they tried 10 satob.l
me $3.50 train for New York;" r.
II do. They were not quick enough. L,
The next train was not due before B:20.
They came back home, bringing their
luggage on q cab. Montcastle did not
unpack his bag, but Miss Benton took
'nf her wearing apparel and hung i'll
np." 49,. - = ~ [,
Ralph stared; his white lips parted, !,
rhey could hear him breathing. b,
Its absurd-perfectly absurd.~ he
'ai?. trying to smile. MY sister wouId.l