"It may be something relating to my father's affairs," thought Ben."I will go."
CHAPTER XXIIIBEN'S VISIT TO THIRTY-FIRST STREET
Ben's evenings being unoccupied, he had no difficulty in meeting theappointment made for him. He was afraid Conrad might ask him toaccompany him somewhere, and thus involve the necessity of anexplanation, which he did not care to give until he had himself foundout why he had been summoned.
The address given by James Barnes was easy to find. Ben found himselfstanding before a brick building of no uncommon exterior. The secondfloor seemed to be lighted up; the windows were hung with crimsoncurtains, which quite shut out a view of what was transpiring within.
Ben rang the bell. The door was opened by a colored servant, wholooked at the boy inquiringly.
"Is Mr. Barnes within?" asked Ben.
"I don't know the gentleman," was the answer.
"He sent me a letter, asking me to meet him here at nine o'clock."
"Then I guess it's all right. Are you a telegraph boy?"
"No," answered Ben, in surprise.
"I reckon it's all right," said the negro, rather to himself than toBen. "Come upstairs."
Ben followed his guide, and at the first landing a door was thrownopen. Mechanically, Ben followed the servant into the room, but hehad not made half a dozen steps when he looked around in surprise andbewilderment. Novice as he was, a glance satisfied him that he was ina gambling house. The double room was covered with a soft, thickcarpet, chandeliers depended from the ceiling, frequent mirrorsreflecting the brilliant lights enlarged the apparent size theapartment, and a showy bar at one end of the room held forth analluring invitation which most failed to resist. Around tables werecongregated men, young and old, each with an intent look, watching thevarying chances of fortune.
"I'll inquire if Mr. Barnes is here," said Peter, the colored servant.
Ben stood uneasily looking at the scene till Peter came back.
"Must be some mistake," he said. "There's no gentleman of the name ofBarnes here."
"It's strange," said Ben, perplexed.
He turned to go out, but was interrupted. A man with a sinisterexpression, and the muscle of a prize fighter, walked up to him andsaid, with a scowl:
"What brings you here, kid?"
"I received a letter from Mr. Barnes, appointing to meet me here."
"I believe you are lying. No such man comes here."
"I never lie," exclaimed Ben indignantly.
"Have you got that letter about you?" asked the man suspiciously.
Ben felt in his pocket for the letter, but felt in vain.
"I think I must have left it at home," he said nervously.
The man's face darkened.
"I believe you come here as a spy," he said.
"Then you are mistaken!" said Ben, looking him fearlessly in the face.
"I hope so, for your sake. Do you know what kind of a place this is?"
"I suppose it is a gambling house," Ben answered, without hesitation.
"Did you know this before you came here?"
"I had not the least idea of it."
The man regarded him suspiciously, but no one could look into Ben'shonest face and doubt his word.
"At any rate, you've found it out. Do you mean to blab?"
"No; that is no business of mine."
"Then you can go, but take care that you never come here again."
"I certainly never will."
"Give me your name and address."
"Why do you want it?"
"Because if you break your word, you will be tracked and punished."
"I have no fear," answered Ben, and he gave his name and address.
"Never admit this boy again, Peter," said the man with whom Ben hadbeen conversing; neither this boy, nor any other, except a telegraphboy."
"All right, sah."
A minute later, Ben found himself on the street, very much perplexedby the events of the evening. Who could have invited him to agambling house, and with what object in view? Moreover, why had notJames Barnes kept the appointment he had himself made? These werequestions which Ben might have been better able to answer if he couldhave seen, just around the corner, the triumphant look of one who wasstealthily watching him.
This person was Conrad Hill, who took care to vacate his positionbefore Ben had reached the place where he was standing.
"So far, so good!" he muttered to himself. "Master Ben has been seencoming out of a gambling house. That won't be likely to recommend himto Mrs. Hamilton, and she shall know it before long."
Ben could not understand what had become of the note summoning him tothe gambling house. In fact, he had dislodged it from the vest pocketin which he thrust it, and it had fallen upon the carpet near the deskin what Mrs. Hamilton called her "office." Having occasion to enterthe room in the evening, his patroness saw it on the carpet, picked itup, and read it, not without surprise.
"This is a strange note for Ben to receive," she said to herself. "Iwonder what it means?"
Of course, she had no idea of the character of the place indicated,but was inclined to hope that some good luck was really in store forher young secretary.
"He will be likely to tell me sooner or later," she said to herself."I will wait patiently, and let him choose his own time. Meanwhile Iwill keep the note."
Mrs. Hamilton did not see Ben till the next morning. Then he lookedthoughtful, but said nothing. He was puzzling himself over what hadhappened. He hardly knew whether to conclude that the whole thing wasa trick, or that the note was written in good faith.
"I don't understand why the writer should have appointed to meet me atsuch a place," he reflected. "I may hear from him again."
It was this reflection which led him to keep the matter secret fromMrs. Hamilton, to whom be had been tempted to speak.
"I will wait till I know more," he said to himself. "This Barnesknows my address, and he can communicate with me if he chooses."
Of course, the reader understands that Conrad was at the bottom of thetrick, and that the object was to persuade Mrs. Hamilton that the boyshe trusted was in the habit of visiting gambling houses. The planhad been suggested by Conrad, and the details agreed on by him and hismother. This explains why Conrad was so conveniently near at hand tosee Ben coming out of the gambling house.
The boy reported the success of this plan to his mother.
"I never saw a boy look so puzzled," he said, with a chuckle, "when hecame out of the gambling house. I should like to know what sort oftime he had there. I expected he would get kicked out."
"I feel no interest in that matter," said his mother. "I am moreinterested to know what Cousin Hamilton will say when she finds whereher model boy has been."
"She'll give him his walking ticket, I hope."
"She ought to; but she seems so infatuated with him that there is notelling."
"When shall you tell her, mother?"
"I will wait a day or two. I want to manage matters so as not toarouse any suspicion."
CHAPTER XXIVBEN ON TRIAL
"Excuse my intrusion, Cousin Hamilton; I see you are engaged."
The speaker was Mrs. Hill, and the person addressed was her wealthycousin. It was two days after the event recorded in the last chapter.
"I am only writing a note, about which there is no haste. Did youwish to speak to me?"
Mrs. Hamilton leaned back in her chair, and waited to hear what Mrs.Hill had to say. There was very little similarity between the twoladies. One was stout, with a pleasant, benevolent face, to whom notonly children, but older people, were irresistibly attracted. Theother was thin, with cold, gray eyes, a pursed-up mouth, thin lips,who had never succeeded in winning the affection of anyone. True, shehad married, but her husband was attracted by a small sum of moneywhich she possessed, and which had been reported to him as much largerthan it really was.
When asked if she wished to speak, Mrs. Hill coughed.
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br /> "There's a matter I think I ought to speak of," she said, "but it ispainful for me to do so."
"Why is it painful?" asked Mrs. Hamilton, eyeing her steadily.
"Because my motives may be misconstrued. Then, I fear it will giveyou pain."
"Pain is sometimes salutary. Has Conrad displeased you?"
"No, indeed!" answered Mrs. Hill, half indignantly. "My boy is agreat comfort to me."
"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Hamilton dryly.
For her own part, Mrs. Hamilton thought her cousin's son one of theleast attractive young people she had ever met, and save for a feelingof pity, and the slight claims of relationship, would not have beenwilling to keep him in the house.
"I don't see why you should have judged so ill of my poor Conrad,"complained Mrs. Hill.
"I am glad you are so well pleased with him. Let me know what youhave to communicate."
"It is something about the new boy--Benjamin."
Mrs. Hamilton lifted her eyebrows slightly.
"Speak without hesitation," she said.
"You will be sure not to misjudge me?"
"Why should I?"
"You might think I was jealous on account of my own boy."
"There is no occasion for you to be jealous."
"No, of course not. I am sure Conrad and I have abundant cause to begrateful to you."
"That is not telling me what you came to tell," said Mrs. Hamiltonimpatiently.
"I am afraid you are deceived in the boy, Cousin Hamilton."
"In what respect?"
"I am almost sorry I had not kept the matter secret. If I did notconsider it my duty to you, I would have done so."
"Be kind enough to speak at once. You need not apologize, norhesitate on my account. What has Ben been doing?"
"On Tuesday evening he was seen coming out of a well-known gamblinghouse."
"Who saw him?"
"Conrad."
"How did Conrad know that it was a gambling house?"
"He had had it pointed out to him as such," Mrs. Hill answered, withsome hesitation.
"About what time was this?"
"A little after nine in the evening."
"And where was the gambling house situated?"
"On Thirty-first Street."
A peculiar look came over Mrs. Hamilton's face.
"And Conrad reported this to you?"
"The same evening."
"That was Tuesday?"
"Yes; I could not make up my mind to tell you immediately, because Idid not want to injure the boy."
"You are more considerate than I should have expected."
"I hope I am. I don't pretend to like the boy. He seems to havesomething sly and underhand about him. Still, he needs to beemployed, and that made me pause."
"Till your sense of duty to me overcame your reluctance?"
"Exactly so, Cousin Hamilton. I am glad you understand so well how Ifeel about the matter."
Mrs. Hill was quite incapable of understanding the irony of hercousin's last remark, and was inclined to be well pleased with thereception 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 tocome 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. Hamiltonwore her ordinary manner, but Mrs. Hill's mouth was more pursed upthan ever. She looked straight before her, and did not look at Ben atall.
"Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, coming to the point at once, "did you visita 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 forgranted 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. "Idislike to see my cousin so deceived and imposed upon by one she hadbefriended."
"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 neighborhoodjust at that time," said Ben significantly.
"If you mean to insinuate that Conrad goes to such places, you arequite 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. Hamiltonmildly."
"Because I received a mysterious letter, signed James Barnes, askingme to come to that address about nine o'clock in the evening. I wastold 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 mypocket 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 believeyou received any such letter. I presume you had often been to thesame place to misspend your evenings."
"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 liketo 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 ofcongratulation.
CHAPTER XXVCONRAD TAKES A BOLD STEP
"I hope, Mrs. Hamilton, you don't suspect me of frequenting gamblinghouses?" said Ben, after his enemy had left the room.
"No," answered Mrs. Hamilton promptly. "I think I know you too wellfor that."
"I did go on Tuesday evening, I admit," continued Ben. "I saw thatMrs. Hill did not believe it, but it's true. I wish I hadn't lost theletter 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 foundthe 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 deskbefore 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 thinknow that it was written to get to into a scrape."
"Then it must have been written by an enemy. Do you know of anyonewho 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 nosuspicion and no clew as to who it is."
"I think we will let the matter rest for a short time. If we saynothing about it, the guilty person may betray himself."
"You are very kind to keep your confidence in me, Mrs. Hamilton," saidBen gratefully.
"I trust you as much as ever, Ben, but I shall appear not to--for atime."
Ben looked puzzled.
"I won't explain myself," said Mrs. Hamilton, with a smile, "but Iintend to treat you coolly for a time, as if you had incurred mydispleasure. You need not feel sensitive, however, but may considerthat 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 andConrad, Mrs. Hamilton scarcely addressed a word to Ben at the suppertable. When she did speak, it was with an abruptness and coldnessquite unusual for the warm-hearted woman. Ben looked depressed, fixedhis 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 forfeitedtheir rich cousin's favor.
After supper, Conrad went into his mother's room.
"Our plan's working well, mother," he said, rubbing his hands.
"Yes, Conrad, it is. Cousin Hamilton is very angry with the boy. Shescarcely spoke a word to him."
"He won't stay long, I'll be bound. Can't you suggest, mother, thathe had better be dismissed at once?"
"No, Conrad; we have done all that is needed. We can trust CousinHamilton to deal with him. She will probably keep him for a shorttime, till she can get along without his services."
"It's lucky he lost the letter. Cousin Hamilton will think he neverreceived any."
So the precious pair conferred together. It was clear that Ben hadtwo dangerous and unscrupulous enemies in the house.