“Do you think so, Mrs. Hamilton?” inquired Ben anxiously.

“It is a pity you lost that letter, Ben.”

“Yes, it is,” answered Ben regretfully.

“Mrs. Hill,” said Mrs. Hamilton, “if you will withdraw, I would like to say a few words to Ben in private.”

“Certainly, Cousin Hamilton,” returned the poor cousin, with alacrity.  “I think his race is about run,” she said to herself, in a tone of congratulation.

CHAPTER XXV CONRAD TAKES A BOLD STEP

“I hope, Mrs. Hamilton, you don’t suspect me of frequenting gambling houses?” said Ben, after his enemy had left the room.

“No,” answered Mrs. Hamilton promptly.  “I think I know you too well for that.”

“I did go on Tuesday evening, I admit,” continued Ben.  “I saw that Mrs. Hill did not believe it, but it’s true.  I wish I hadn’t lost the letter inviting me there.  You might think I had invented the story.”

“But I don’t, Ben; and, for the best of all reasons, because I found the note on the carpet, and have it in my possession now.”

“Have you?” exclaimed Ben gladly.

“Here it is,” said the lady, as she produced the note from the desk before her.  “It is singular such a note should have been sent you,” she added thoughtfully.

“I think so, too.  I had no suspicion when I received it, but I think now that it was written to get to into a scrape.”

“Then it must have been written by an enemy.  Do you know of anyone who would feel like doing you a bad turn?”

“No,” answered Ben, shaking his head.

“Do you recognize the handwriting?”

“No; it may have been written by some person I know, but I have no suspicion and no clew as to who it is.”

“I think we will let the matter rest for a short time.  If we say nothing about it, the guilty person may betray himself.”

“You are very kind to keep your confidence in me, Mrs. Hamilton,” said Ben gratefully.

“I trust you as much as ever, Ben, but I shall appear not to—­for a time.”

Ben looked puzzled.

“I won’t explain myself,” said Mrs. Hamilton, with a smile, “but I intend to treat you coolly for a time, as if you had incurred my displeasure.  You need not feel sensitive, however, but may consider that I am acting.”

“Then it may be as well for me to act, too,” suggested Ben.

“A good suggestion!  You will do well to look sober and uneasy.”

“I will do my best,” answered Ben brightly.

The programme was carried out.  To the great delight of Mrs. Hill and Conrad, Mrs. Hamilton scarcely addressed a word to Ben at the supper table.  When she did speak, it was with an abruptness and coldness quite unusual for the warm-hearted woman.  Ben looked depressed, fixed his eyes on his plate, and took very little part in the conversation.  Mrs. Hill and Conrad, on the other hand, seemed in very good spirits.  They chatted cheerfully, and addressed an occasional word to Ben.  They could afford to be magnanimous, feeling that he had forfeited their rich cousin’s favor.