Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-25
CHAPTER XIV.
An Inuuisition INTERRUPTED.

An lnquisition Interrupted.
'My mother told it to me Just as a
bit of gossip. She didn't believe it;
no more did l."
20, repeated it to my uncle, be.
cause / though it might amuse him
Just for something to say"
Your idea of small talk is rather
peculiar" was Iver's dry comment
He looked at the major at the right
and at Neeld on his left at the table
Nina was opposite, like the witness
before the committee.
so are yours of politeness." she
cried. TITS my house. Why do you
come and bully me in it?"
Duplay was sullenly furious. Poor
Mr.. Neeld's state was lamentable.
He had not spoken a word through.
out the interview. He had taken ref.
uge in nodding, exhausting the signifi.
canoe of mods in reply to the various
appeals that the other three address.
ed to him.
Iver had his temper in hand still,
but he was hard and resolute.
"You don't seem to understand the
seriousness of the thing in the least
he said. I've spoken plainly to you.
My daughters future is at stake. You
say it was all idle gossip. l find that
hard to believe. Even so, l must have
that gossip investigated and proved to
be nothing but gossip"
Investigate it, then" said the Imp
peevishly:
you refuse me the materials. What
you told Major Duplay was too vague.
You know more. You can put me on
the track.
Nina was silent. Neeld wiped his
brow with his handkerchief. liver
changed his tone.
Nina, we've been friends to you.
I'm not ashamed to remind you of it.
wife and l have welcomed you first
for her sake, then for your own. Is
this the best return you can make
us?' He paused moment. ASK Mr..
Neeld here what he would do. I'm
willing to abide by his judgment"
Nina was Sorely tempted to say
Ask him then" The situation would
thus become so much the more piq-
uant. But Mr.. Neeld was in such dis
tress-to her sharp eyes distress so
visible-that she did not dare to risk
the coup.
JuOSc 1OI ulySGll. Il.
Neeld can't help me-" she answered.
Uncle has chosen to say that he can
prove these things. Let him try"
She drew herself up with prim, pru-
dish air. 81 don't think it's desirable
to- mix myself in such very peculiar
questions at all, and Idon't think it's
nice of men to come and cross-ques-
ton me about them
~ la - -. -
said liver with a touch of irritation
hardly suppressed. I'VE come as men
of the world to sensible woman"
Anybody will tell you I'm not
that interrupted the Imp.
Well then, to woman of good
feeling who wishes to be honest, and
to be true to her friends. Duplay,
have you no influence with Nine Ia
briska?"
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. remember
ing no whe had terrorized the secret
out of her before. and resenting the
humiliation of the memory, stiffened
her neck once more.
"Ive nothing to say. You must do
as you think best" she said.
''You must be made to speak"
Iver's threats alarmed where Du-
plays only annoyed He spoke calmly
and with weight.
who can make me speak?" she
cried, more angry from her fear.
THE law. When we have reached
a certain stage in the inquiry. we
shall be able to compel you to
speak"
y thought you couldn't move step
without me-"
Iver was rather set back. but he
braved it out.
THE difficulties are immensely in
creased. but they're not inseparable,"
he said. 4
81 shan't stay to be questioned and
bullied. shall go abroad"
Iver looked at the major; the major
returned his glance; they were both
resolute men,
No; you won't go away" declared
lyer slowly.
The Imp was frightened; she was
an ignorant young woman in a land
of whose laws she knew nothing.
Neeld would have liked to suggest |
soothing about the liberty
Of the individual and the habeas cor
pus act. But he dared show no sym
pathy-beyond nodding at her I'M
observed The nod told her moth
Ing
You will stop me?" still she tried
to smear detiantly.
Another glance passed between
lver and Duplay A shrewd observer
might have interpreted it as meaning,
Even if we can't do it. she'll think
we can
I'VE shall" said the major" execut. |
Ing the bluff on behalf of himself and
his partner
The Imp thought of crying--not for
her uncle--that would be hopeless
but for liver. She concluded it would |
be hopeless there. too. But the laugh |
was failure and iver was sharp |
enough to see it.
In this country people aren't al |
lowed to play fast and loose in this |
fashion" he remarked. IN tell YOU
one way in which we can make you
speak. have only to 20 to Lord
fristranl and tell him you have
spread these reports, that you have
made and repeated these imputations |