Evening star., 1901-05-04
CHAPTER XIV.
An Inouisftion Interrupted.

CHAPTER XIV.
An InGuisition Interrupted.
MY mother told it to me just as bit
of gossip. She didn't believe it; no more
did l..
"Oh I repeated it to my uncle, because
1 thought it might amuse him-just for
something to say
your idea Of small talk is rather pc
culiar," was Iver's dry comment. He
looked at the major on his right and at
Neeld on his left at the table; Nina was
opposite like the witness before the COM
mittee.
so are yours of politeness," she cried.
IT'S my house. Why do you come and
bully me in it?
Duplay was sullenly furious Poor Mr..
Neelds state was lamentable. He had not
spoken a word throughout the interview.
He had taken refuge in nodiing, exhaust
ing the significance of mods in reply to
the various appeals tltat the other three
addressed to him. a =
Iver had his temper in hand still, but
he was hard and resolute.
You don't seem to understand the Sc
riousness of the thing in the least he
said. 1--WE spoken plainly7ato you. My
daughters future is at stake. You say it
was all idle gossip. find that hard to
believe. Even if so, 7 must have that gos-
sip investigated and proved to be nothing
but gossip III
"Investigate it them said the Imp, peev-
ishly.
You refuse me the materials. What
you told Major Duplay was too vague. You
know more. You can put me5on the track"
Nina was silent. Neeid wiped his brow
with his handkerchief. Iyer changed his
tone.
Nina we've been friends to you. I'm
not ashamed to remind you of it. Janie's
a great friend of yours; my wife and 1
have welcomed you first for her sake, then
for your own Is this the best return you
can make us?" He paused a moment. ASK
Mr.. Neeld here what he would do. I'm will
ing to abide by his judgment"
Nina was sorely tempted to say, ASK
him, then" The situation would thus be-
come so much the more piquant. But Mr..
Neeld was in such distress-to her sharp
eyes a distress SO visible-that she did not
II must judge for myself Mr. Neeld
can't help me-" she answered. "Uncle has
chosen to say he can prove these things.
Let him try" She drew herself up with
a prim, prudish air. "I don't think it, de-
sirable to mix myself up in such very pc
culiar questions at all, and 1 don't think
it's nice Of men to come and cross-question
me about them
"Oh, were not in ladies' school, said
Iver. with touch of irritation hardly sup
pressed. eve come as men Of the world
to a sensible woman"
"Anybody will tell you I'm not that"
Interrupted the Imp.
We'll, then to woman Of good feeling.
who wishes to be honest, and to be true
to her friends. Duplay. have you no inf1u-
ence with Nine. Zabriska7''
1--WE spared no effort" replied the major.
81 can't believe that she won't help US In
the end His tone was almost menacing.
Nina, remembering how he had terrorized
the secret out Of her before, and resenting
the humiliation of the memory, stiffened
her neck once more.
I've nothing to say. You must do as
you think best" she said.
''You must be made to speak"
1ver's threats alarmed. where Duplay's
only annoyed. He spoke calmly and with
weight. i.
"Who can make me speak?" she cried,
more angry from her fear.
"The law. When we have reached a GER
tain stage in the inquiry we shall be able
to compel you to speak"
II thought you couldn't move step with
out me-
Iver was rather set back, but he braved
it out.
but they're not insuperable." he said.
II shant stay to be questioned and bull
lied. shall go abroad"
liver looked at the major; the major re-
turned his glance; they were both resolute
men.
No: you won't go away" declared Iver
slowly.
The Imp was frightened: she was an ig-
norant young woman in a land Of whose
laws she knew nothing. Neeld would have
liked to suggest something soothing about
the liberty Of the individual and the habeas
corpus act. But he dared show no SYM
pathy-beyond nodding at her unobserved.
The nod told her nothing.
You'll stop me?" Still she tried to sneer
deflantly.
Another glance passed between Iver and
Duplay. A shrewd observer might have
interpreted 1t as meaning. Even If we
can't do it. she'll think we can
We shall" said the major, executing the
blum, on behalf Of himself and his part
ner. 10. Sc,
The Imp thought of erying-not for her
nncle-Which would be, ohopeless-but for
there, too. So she laughed again instead
But the laugh was a faiinregand Iver was
sharp enough to see it. Ie fs
In this country people aren't allowed to
play fast and loose in this fashion," he re-
marked. I'll tell you zone way in which
we can make you speak. HIhave only to
go to Lord Tristram andstelh'h him you have
and repeated these impufatioEs on his birth
and on his title What viii De do? Can he
rest content without dSpraEing them at
law? law l say ne can't. eIn those proceed
must assume you would tell the truth. I
refuse to suppose you would commit per-
jury"
II should hold my tongue" said Nina.
1nen you De sent to prison for con-
tempt at court
The bluff worked well. Nina knew moth
ing at all Of what Harry Tristram would
law would or might or might not do, in
the circumstances supposed. And liver
spoke as though he knew everything, with
weighty confidence. with an admirable
air of considered candor. She was no
match for him; she grew rather pale, her
lips twitched and her breath came quick.
Tears were no longer to be treated mere
ly as possible policy; they threatened to
occur of their own accord
What wonder that feeling of intolerable
meanness attacked Mr.. Jenkinson Neeld?
He was on the wrong side of the table, on
the bench instead of in the dock. He sat
there judging; his proper place was side BY