The Man Who Fell Through the Earth

“Only that if you prevaricated in one instance, Miss Raynor, you may have done so in others. Will you tell me why you said you were at the house of your friend, Miss Clark?”

“Of course I will. My guardian was unwilling to have me go to Mrs. Russell’s house, because of a personal matter. Therefore, when I wished to go there I sometimes told him that I was going to Miss Clark’s. This small falsehood I considered justifiable, because Mr. Gately had no right to say where I should go and where not! If I was untruthful it was because his unjust rules and regulations made me so! I am not a story-teller, ordinarily. If I was forced to be one, in order to enjoy some simple pleasures or diversions, it is no one’s business but my own.”

“That’s true, Hudson,” I interposed, “why constitute yourself Miss Raynor’s Sunday-School teacher?”

“Sorry I am to do so,” and the good-natured face showed real regret; “but I’ve orders. Now, Miss Raynor, I must put you a few straight questions. Where’s Mr. Amory Manning?”

“I don’t know! I only wish I did!”

“Now, now, that won’t do! I guess you can think up some hint of his whereabouts for me. You can’t deceive us, you know.”

“Nor do I want to!” Olive’s eyes blazed. “Because I found it necessary to evade my guardian’s espionage now and then you needn’t think I am unable to tell the truth! I have no idea where Mr. Manning is, and I am exceedingly anxious lest some harm has befallen him. If you can find him you will be doing me a great favor.”

“Are you engaged to him, Miss Raynor?”

“No, I am not, though I do not concede your right to ask that question. Mr. Manning and I are good friends, that is all.”

“Mr. Gately did not approve of his attentions to you?”

“He did not, and that was why I refrained from telling of occasions when I saw or might see Mr. Manning at his sister’s house. If that is of interest to you, I’ve no objections to your knowing it.”

“Can you fire a pistol, Miss Raynor?”

I perceived it was Hudson’s method to take her by surprise, and so, perhaps, learn something from an answer given off her guard.

“Yes,” she replied, promptly, “I am a good shot; why?”

Her wondering eyes were fearless, now, and to me it seemed a proof of her entire innocence that she showed no embarrassment at this inquiry.

But Hudson evidently thought differently. He looked accusingly at her, and continued, “Do you own a pistol?”

“Yes; Mr. Gately gave me one a few years ago.”

“Where is it?”

“Down at our country-place, on Long Island. I am afraid of burglars there, but not nearly so much so in the city.”

“H’m. Now, Miss Raynor, you are the last one known to have seen Amos Gately alive.”

“Why, Mr. Brice saw the shooting!”

“Only in shadow. I mean you are the last one known to have talked with him in his office. Was your interview – er, – amicable?”

“Entirely so. I went there for some money, as I occasionally did. My guardian gave me a check and I cashed it at the Trust Company Bank.”

“Yes, we know that; and that the check was given to you, and was later cashed, all at about the time Mr. Gately was killed.”

“Earlier Mr. Hudson. I was in the bank about half-past two.”

“No, Miss Raynor. We have the teller’s statement that you were there about three o’clock.”

“He is mistaken,” Olive’s voice was confident, and had in it a ring of indignation, “by three o’clock, or very little after, I was at Mrs. Russell’s.”

“Was Mr. Manning there?”

“No; he expected to come later, after he had attended to some business.”

“What was the business?”

“I do not know, but it must have been somewhere in the vicinity of the Puritan Building, for he was near there when I arrived.”

“At what time was that?”

“I don’t know exactly, perhaps half-past three or a little later. I had been at Mrs. Russell’s but a few moments when Mr. Talcott telephoned me there.”

“How did he know you were there?”

“He called up Miss Clark first, and she told him.”

“Your friends, then, aided and abetted you in deceiving your guardian?”

“I resent the way you put that, Mr. Hudson,” Olive looked at him haughtily, “but I answer, yes. My friends agreed with me that Mr. Gately was unreasonable in his commands and that I was not bound to obey them.”

“But you are now freed from his injustice.”

“That is a brutal speech and unworthy of any man! My freedom is too dearly purchased at such a fearful price!”

“Are you sure you think so?”

“What are you implying, Mr. Hudson? Speak out! Do you think I killed my guardian?”

“There are people that do think that, Miss Raynor.”

“Leave this house!” cried Olive, rising. “Such words can not be spoken here!”

“Now, now, miss, dramatics won’t get you anywheres! There is evidence against you, or so the police think, and it’s up to me to tell you that we must ask you not to go out of town without acquainting us of the fact. We do not accuse you, but we do want you where we can communicate with you at will. I am going now Miss Raynor. I came only to make sure on a few points, – which I have done, – and to tell you to remain within call. Indeed, I may as well tell you that any attempt to get away will be frustrated.”

“You mean I am under surveillance!”

“That’s about it, miss.”

Olive looked at him as one might regard a worm of the dust.

“Go!” she said, quietly but forcefully. “I shall not leave town, I shall probably not leave this house. Your suspicion is beneath contempt. However, it has taught me one thing, – I shall engage someone else – someone quite outside the stupid police, to discover the murderer of my uncle! And also to trace my friend, Mr. Manning.”

Hudson smiled. He looked at Olive almost tolerantly, as if she were a wilful child.

“All right. Miss Raynor. I’ll take your word as to your staying here, and I rather guess the police force will yet round up the murderer and will also discover the hiding-place of Amory Manning. Good day.”