"May I ask, madam," said Mr. Lynx, "if your suspicions had fastened on this boy, Ben, before you found the pawn ticket?"
"To tell the truth, they had."
"And what reason had you for forming such suspicions?"
"I knew that the boy frequented gambling houses, and, of course, no salary, however large, would be sufficient for a boy with such habits."
Mrs. Hamilton did not speak, which somewhat embarrassed Mrs. Hill. Mr. Lynx, however, was very affable, and thanked her for her assistance.
"I felt it my duty to assist Cousin Hamilton," said she, "though I am sorry for that ungrateful boy. I will now withdraw, and leave you to confer together."
Mrs. Hill would like to have been invited to remain, but such an invitation was not given.
"What do you think, Mr. Lynx?" asked Mrs. Hamilton.
"I think your housekeeper does not like Ben Barclay," he answered dryly.
"And you don't think him guilty?" she asked eagerly.