“Ralph Felton is another absentee whose presence is earnestly desired,” he resumes.
“You say you do not believe that Stanley is the guilty man. Does it, then, lie between Ralph Felton and—”
“And Derrick Ames?” finishes Ashley. “Not necessarily. There is another, but for excellent reasons I should prefer not to mention the name. Have you any plans for the future?”
“No definite plans. Mr. Cyrus Felton has been appointed executor of the estate and after that has been settled I shall probably make my home at his house.”
“At Cyrus Felton’s?” murmurs Ashley, in such a peculiar voice that Miss Hathaway looks at him in surprise.
“Yes; that is the only place I can go to at present. He has long been a friend of the family.”
“Have you no relatives—in Boston, New York, or elsewhere?”
“No near relatives. It will not be very long ere I shall have to make a home for myself. I am told that the estate will settle for very little,” confesses Miss Hathaway, with a red spot in each pale cheek. Ashley understands and regards her sympathetically.
There is a short, somewhat embarrassing silence. Then Ashley rises regretfully. He says:
“I am afraid it must be good-bye—or, perhaps, au revoir. I shall hope to see you again before the summer is gone.”