The Delta independent., 1898-04-22
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CHAPTER Ky


reading. Before sitting down Ralph
started to draw the curtains together.
but Hendricks prevented him.
leave them as they nre, ho said.
"It looks cheerful TO an outcast bache-
lor who seldom catches . glimpse Of
home life"
"AM right" said Ralph. taking q
scat near Lampkin. who sat opposite
the detective.
"Thanks," said Hendricks. He took
out q fresh cigar and pinched the tip
from 1t with his finger nails. Lampkin
decided that he had never seen Hen.
dricks' face hold such look Of min
Rled hesitancy and rigid determination.
He clasped mis- hands together until the
cigar was almost crushed.
IL say, Benton" he began. NOW.
don't take o1ense. but what do you
know about this-Moutcastle2 I believe
that's his name.
Ralph started. returned the steady
gaze Of tho detective for minute aud
then answered:
"What do I know about him? Not
much. suppose. Why do you ask?''
''Answer my question first. What do
you know about him?"
Ralph clasped his knee with his hand
and flushed.
''Hung 10. Hendricks." he blurted
cat, "that's . beastly indelicate ques-
tion. coming right when it doesi You
scs. the fellow
~ mean 70 ofYepse," broke in Hen
dricka, his voice still tense and firm.
"Bus what do you know about him?'
1.-THE truth is" florndered Ralph
in the rough waters of embarrassment.
"shs truth is, don't-that isl can't
say ] know q blamed thing about him
sctually. lhave only known him slight-
ly fer about three months. He and l
have anne mutual friends, but a. be
lives far awsy-San Francisco 10 his
hone-I do not know much about him.
Yoa see." Ralph glanced into the draw
ing room, my sister and he arc stanch
fTiendA They have met at Newport
aud In Europe. and TO come right down
TO facts she askesl me to invite him
here 10 our house party. She assured
ne be belonged to q gond family and
was gentleman. You may Be- sure II ]
had NOT thought he was should not
have consented to have him here. I
found him pretty good fellow lit
tie slow-a little more English than
ths sversce New Yorker. butt
Raiph's powers Of expression seemed
b fail him.
Hendsicks crossed his legs, leaned
beck on the lounge. and half Of his
esushed cigar fell to the rug at his feet
"You remember, " hs said. "ths tes-
simony Of Nis Hastings at the inquest
She stated that she heard your father
telling some one that he would disown
somebody the next day
lyon mentioned IL last night, an
ewered Ralph. 'lt was the FIRST had
heard Of it, asked Miss Hastings about
It today. She seemed surprised that !
had mos understood She told me she
had plaiply heard my father say IL and
Shat she he'd ever since thought b was
speaking to ma. She appeared very
much upset over is aud seemed delight
cd 70 have me assure her that my father
hsd not spoken the words to mo and
shas had not been in bis room that
sight. then went 70 my sister aud
asked her II my father had used such
words to her She refused to answer,
seemed vexed 1t my question and asked
me IL you had said anything ab',ut her
and Aoutcastls lnss night when was
under arrest told her you had not.
She wanted to know what hsd passed
Lstween "a, but kept my promise 70
yoa and said nothing about your tbeo-
siea sbe still believes my father COM
@iteed suicide. is very nervous and has
Boa beeu at all like heryelf since The
hurdeg.
Hepslricks leaned forward. It seemed
TO Lamplin, who was watching his
features closely, that he drew . deep
breath before he began TO speak.
Benton" he said. II am sure your
father was speaking to Miss Benton
shas night Moreover. have conclusivs
proof that both she and Mr.. Moutcastls
hastily packed their things that night,
went in cab to the station and tried
% catch the $50 train for New York.
have"-
Ralph apsang 10 bis feet
by heavens, Hendricks" he cried,
"bswssS u what you aro sayinai II
Jon impasn IL oood name Il ny sisoes,
II yos dass'-
Keep qstet" mid Hepdriclu calm
ly, and b leaned back On The sofa.
"Doet b impuIsive. II you bed known
me longer, you would know do not
mako Tssh stateDeata Beaidsa, I have
said nothing sgnipss the character of
jour sisteT. n you can sceoupt for Mis-
6eoeue's and Nontcsstle's conduct thss
Higkt, yos may do them valuable ssgv-
ice. For the present, however. I -
bosnd to own that their sctioos, to9eth-
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