United States or Liberia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Wilson has not returned here since he left on the day before New Year." "Did he leave any luggage behind him?" "No, sir, he didn't." Mrs. Benker paused, then continued, "I'll tell you exactly how it occurred, if Mr. Asher will make some allowance for the wickedness of that wretched boy of mine." "I'll see what can be done, and use my influence with Mr. Asher."
She repeated several tales she had told Wilson, and Steel asked her many questions. When he took his leave he asked a leading one: "Did Mr. Wilson wear a red cross as an ornament?" "On his watch-chain he did," said Mrs. Benker, and Steel departed very satisfied with his day's work.
And again, out all day and in for the night?" "You describe him exactly." Mrs. Benker peered into the clean-shaven face in a puzzled manner. "Your hair is black, your voice is changed, and only the eyes remain." "My brother and I have eyes exactly the same. I guessed your mistake when you spoke. I assure you I am not my brother."
"So have I, so was Mrs. Benker. We are all in the same box. The man is evidently very like his scamp of a brother." "No doubt, Morley. But he isn't the brother himself." "More's the pity, for Franklin's sake as well as our own. He seems to hate his brother fairly and would be willing to give him up to the law if he's done anything."
Both the man and the woman eyed one another firmly. Then Franklin motioned Mrs. Benker to a seat on a mossy bank. "We can talk better sitting," said he. "I should like an explanation of this. You say that my name is Wilson, and that I boarded with you." "At Lambeth. I'll take my oath to it." "Had your boarder red hair and a red beard?" "Red as a tomato. But you can buy wigs and false beards.
Also a note saying that he was suddenly called away and would not return." "Have you the note?" asked Steel, thinking it just as well to have some specimen of Wilson's handwriting. Mrs. Benker shook her head. "I burnt it," she replied; "it was only written in pencil and not worth keeping. I must say that Mr. Wilson always behaved like a gentleman, although I saw little of him.
Also, Steel was on the south coast, hunting for evidence concerning The Red Cross yacht, and would not be pleased at being taken away to follow what might prove to be a false trail. Ware therefore said nothing to Mrs. Benker about what he desired to see her, but simply asked her to come down on a visit. There was a prospect of his having another visitor, and one he did not much wish to meet.
"Go to your room, Alexander, and make ready," repeated the widow, with a glare, and the boy retired slowly, wriggling and snuffling. When his sobs died away and an upstairs door was heard to close with a bang, Mrs. Benker addressed herself to Steel. "I hope you will induce Mr. Asher to overlook this," she said, clasping a pair of lean, mittened hands; "I am so poor."
Let me in, and I'll speak for my young friend." "And who may you be, sir?" demanded Mrs. Benker, bristling. "A personal friend of Mr. Asher's." On hearing this dreaded name Mrs. Benker softened, and welcomed Steel into a neat parlor, where he seated himself in a horsehair mahogany chair of the most slippery description and related what had happened. Alexander stood by and wept all the time.
Benker was not at all averse to relating her better days, and did so with pride. "I was with the Countess of Flint, with Mrs. Harwitch, and with Lady Susan Summersdale." "Ha!" said Steel, starting. He remembered that Morley had been concerned with Lady Summersdale about the robbery of her jewels. "Did you tell Mr. Wilson this?" he asked. "Oh, yes. We had long talks about aristocratic families."
Word Of The Day