“Yet it may be necessary,” Corson went on, calmly. “You know, Miss Prall, the ends of justice may call for the mention of a name——”
“What in the world can the mention of that name have to do with justice?” Eliza broke in. “You don’t connect the Everetts with the murder, do you?”
“I don’t connect any one with the murder, as yet,” Corson replied, “but it is my great desire to find some connection, and so I have to make inquiries.”
“If that’s your motive, I still must request that you omit the name of Everett from your conversation,” said Bates. “Look here, Corson, are you getting anywhere, or aren’t you?”
“I am,” was the quiet reply; “now, Miss Prall, you’ll be obliged to answer a few questions, whether you like it or not.”
Corson’s tone, though courteous, was severe, and the Grenadier, while not frightened, gave him a look of curiosity and intense interest.
“Go on,” she said, briefly.
“This feud between yourself and Mrs Everett is a matter of long standing, I believe. You can’t, therefore, object to my reference to it. What was its cause?”
“Oh, it’s so old now, that its cause is sunk in oblivion.” Letitia smiled sourly. “But it has been added to by other causes as time went on, and thus new fuel has kept the fire burning.”
“Keep the home fires burning,” said Richard, with a mocking smile at his aunt, who heeded it not.