d I have abundant cause to be
grateful to you."

"That is not telling me what you came to tell," said Mrs. Hamilton
impatiently.

"I am afraid you are deceived in the boy, Cousin Hamilton."

"In what respect?"

"I am almost sorry I had not kept the matter secret. If I did not
consider it my duty to you, I would have done so."

"Be kind enough to speak at once. You need not apologize, nor
hesitate on my account. What has Ben been doing?"

"On Tuesday evening he was seen coming out of a well-known gambling
house."

"Who saw him?"

"Conrad."

"How did Conrad know that it was a gambling house?"

"He had had it pointed out to him as such," Mrs. Hill answered, with
some hesitation.

"About what time was this?"

"A little after nine in the evening."

"And where was the gambling house situated?"

"On Thirty-first Street."

A peculiar look came over Mrs. Hamilton's face.

"And Conrad reported this to you?"

"The same evening."

"That was Tuesday?"

"Yes; I could not make up my mind to tell you immediately, because I
did not want to injure the boy."

"You are more considerate than I should have expected."

"I hope I am. I don't pretend to like the boy. He seems to have
something sly and underhand about him. Still, he needs to be
employed, and that made me pause."

"Till your sense of duty to me overcame your reluctance?"

"Exactly so, Cousin Hamilton. I am glad you understand so well how I
feel about the matter."

Mrs. Hill was quite incapable of understanding the irony of her
cousin's last remark, and was inclined to be well pleased with the
reception her news had met with.

"Where is Conrad?"

"He is not in the house. He didn't want me to tell you."

"That speaks well for him. I must speak to Ben on the subject."

She rang the bell, and a servant appeared.

"See if Master Ben is in his room," said the lady. "If so ask him to
come here for five minutes."

Ben was in the house and in less than two minutes he entered the room.
He glanced from one lady to the other in some surprise. Mrs. Hamilton
wore her ordinary manner, but Mrs. Hill's mouth was more pursed up
than ever. She looked straight before her, and did not look at Ben at
all.

"Ben," said Mrs. Hamilton, coming to the point at once, "did you visit
a gambling house in Thirty-first Street on Tuesday evening?"

"I did," answered Ben promptly.

Mrs. Hill moved her hands slightly, and looked horror-stricken.

"You mus