d to the chauffeur. But
the next instant his hand was on the man's sleeve. "No, I have changed my
mind. Here, Staples," he called out as a man came running down the steps,
"take my bag and ask the landlady to prepare me a room. I'll not try for
the train to-night." Then as the man at his side leaped to the ground, he
turned to Harper and remarked quietly, but in no common tone:

"The steamer must sail without me. I'll stay in this place a while and
prove the death of Georgian Ransom myself."

CHAPTER XXIV

THE DEVIL'S CAULDRON

The solemnity of Hazen's whole manner impressed Mr. Harper strongly. As
soon as the opportunity offered he cornered the young man in the office
where he had taken refuge, and giving him to understand that further
explanations must pass between them before either slept, he drew him
apart and put the straight question to him:

"Who is Josiah Auchincloss?"

The answer was abrupt, almost menacing in its emphasis and tone.

"A trunk-maker in St. Louis. A man she was indebted to."

"How indebted to--a trunk-maker?"

"That I cannot, do not desire to state. It is enough that she felt she
owed him the bulk of her fortune. Though this eliminates me from benefits
of a wealth I had some rights to share, I make no complaint. She knew her
business best, and I am disposed to accept her judgment in the matter
without criticism."

"You are?" The tone was sharp, the sarcasm biting. "I can understand
that. For Auchincloss, in this will, read Hazen; but how about her
husband? How about her friends and the general community? Do you not
think they will ask why a beautiful and socially well-placed young woman
like your sister should leave so large a portion of her wealth to an
obscure man in another town, of whom her friends and even her business
agent have never heard? It would have been better if she had left you her
thousands directly."

The smile which was Hazen's only retort was very bitter.

"You drew up her will," said he. "You must have reasoned with her on this
very point as you are now trying to reason with me?"

The lawyer waved this aside.

"I didn't know at that time the social status of the legatee; nor did I
know her brother then as well as I do now."

"You do not know me now."

"I know that you are very pale; that the determination you have just made
has cost you more than you perhaps are willing to state. That there is
mystery in your past, mystery in your present, and, poss