To this Nick made no reply, merely bowing, and said:
“There was a young man in the house last night with whom I talked, Temple by name.”
“Yes,” replied Mr. Herron, “a nephew of mine—the son of a sister—who, though not living with us, is, nevertheless, very intimate in the house. He slept here during the absence of the family, at my request.”
“Do not think, Mr. Herron,” said Nick, “that I am pointing to, or giving expression to, any suspicions in the questions that I shall ask. I am seeking all sorts and every little bit of information in them. Now, then, you trust this young man?”
“Utterly.”
“What are his habits?”
“Excellent.”
“He does not dissipate?”
“No; not in any direction. If he is under any criticism as to his course of life, it is that he is too much devoted to athletic sports, and that they have the only interest he has outside of his business relations.”
“What are his business relations?”