“Exactly so, Cousin Hamilton.  I am glad you understand so well how I feel about the matter.”

Mrs. Hill was quite incapable of understanding the irony of her cousin’s last remark, and was inclined to be well pleased with the reception her news had met with.

“Where is Conrad?”

“He is not in the house.  He didn’t want me to tell you.”

“That speaks well for him.  I must speak to Ben on the subject.”

She rang the bell, and a servant appeared.

“See if Master Ben is in his room,” said the lady.  “If so ask him to come here for five minutes.”

Ben was in the house and in less than two minutes he entered the room.  He glanced from one lady to the other in some surprise.  Mrs. Hamilton wore her ordinary manner, but Mrs. Hill’s mouth was more pursed up than ever.  She looked straight before her, and did not look at Ben at all.

“Ben,” said Mrs. Hamilton, coming to the point at once, “did you visit a gambling house in Thirty-first Street on Tuesday evening?”

“I did,” answered Ben promptly.

Mrs. Hill moved her hands slightly, and looked horror-stricken.

“You must have had some good reason for doing so.  I take it for granted you did not go there to gamble?”

“No,” answered Ben, with a smile.  “That is not in my line.”

“What other purpose could he have had, Cousin Hamilton?” put in Mrs. Hill maliciously.

Ben eyed her curiously.

“Did Mrs. Hill tell you I went there?” he asked.

“I felt it my duty to do so,” said that lady, with acerbity.  “I dislike to see my cousin so deceived and imposed upon by one she had befriended.”

“How did you know I went there, Mrs. Hill?”

“Conrad saw you coming out of the gambling house.”

“I didn’t see him.  It was curious he happened be in that neighborhood just at that time,” said Ben significantly.

“If you mean to insinuate that Conrad goes to such places, you are quite mistaken,” said Mrs. Hill sharply.

“It was not that I meant to insinuate at all.”

“You have not yet told me why you went there, Ben?” said Mrs. Hamilton mildly.”

“Because I received a mysterious letter, signed James Barnes, asking me to come to that address about nine o’clock in the evening.  I was told I would hear something of advantage to myself.”

“Did you meet any such man there?” asked Mrs. Hill.

“No.”

“Have you got the letter you speak of?” asked Mrs. Hamilton.

“No,” answered Ben.  “I must have dropped it somewhere.  I felt in my pocket for it when I reached the gambling house, but it was gone.”

Mrs. Hill looked fairly triumphant.

“A very queer story!” she said, nodding her head.  “I don’t believe you received any such letter.  I presume you had often been to the same place to misspend your evenings.”