t 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."

"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