That Mainwaring Affair

e inquest, while each one advanced some theory of his own regarding the murder. Mr. Sutherland had taken his departure after making an

ned and intensified by personal animosity, whenever the facts he had thus far so carefully concealed should become known. H

y the sound of approaching steps

s, or weeks, as the case may be. Mr. Ralph Mainwaring has retained my services to aid in securing his title to the estate, and the will having been destroyed, complications are likely to arise, so that it may take some time to get matt

ularly desired, but he replied indifferently, "If it will

how long we may need you, thou

Mrs. La

he will make a hard fight, and with that trickster Hobson to help h

o win in the

first going to try to have the will upheld in the courts. Failing in that, the property will, of course, be divided between the nearest heir

opinion of Mrs. LaGrange's

g; but," he added, slowly, "I may as well tell you that Walter was his son. Mr. Mainwaring the same as admitted that to me once; but I am certain that, aside from that fact, that woman had some te

s,

tained your knowledge originally from other sources

s,

postor, Hobson, or both, by which they hope to gain some hold on the heirs, were it not that, from your manner, I have bee

ere was no reply, and, with all his penetration, the attorney co

tell you frankly what I most dread in this coming contest. I expect nothing else but that either that woman or Hobson will drag the affair out from its hiding-place, and will hold it u

to leave behind him an untarnished reputation, he must

d with him, certainly had no effect upon your life or mine, hence I feel that it is nothing with which we are directly concerned; and I beli

aw an expression totally unlike anything he had ever seen

advice, Mr. Whitney, regarding my interests, but it is not needed. Furthermore, I think all your thought and attention will be required to look after the interests of Ralp

ok; where have I seen it? I believe that Ralph Mainwaring is more t

ough to witness the parting between Scott and the attorney, and who now passed quietly up-stairs, remarking to himself, "Whitney is pretty sharp, but he's mo

n which was a deep window. The shutters were tightly closed, and, concealing himself behind the heavy curtains, he awaited developments. He was now directly opposite the door of the parlor, and through the partially open transom he could hear the imperious tones of Mrs. LaGran

ck heard her say, angrily. "You were an acce

well know; and even if you had, our acquaintance, my dear madam, has been too long and of too intimate a nature for you

ot such a coward as to fear you. I have played my c

understand each other perfectly. You want my services in this case; you must have them; and I am willing to render them; but it is use

there was a leer of triumph on his face. He glanced suspiciously about the hall, and, on reachi

hould you wish to see me before that time, yo

o her room, she exclaimed, fiercely, "Craven! Let me but once get m

pon the side street. As he was hurrying along this rather secluded avenue, he was suddenly confronted by Scott. Although strangers to each other, Hobson instantly conjectured that this must be the secr

t a card, and, pausing suddenly in his

istaken; have I not the plea

," replied the s

t you may find it conducive to your interests to call upon me

crutiny. "You seem very solicitous of the interests of a stranger, as it is n

he continued, in his most ingratiating tones, "that I may be in

impart them to me simply out of pure disinterested

y office at two o'clock to-morrow, if you care to call. Meantime, my young friend, I am not perhaps as mercenary as you think, and

nwarings? More likely it is the latter. A week ago I was looking for that man, and would probably have endeavored to make terms with him, though it would have involved an immense amount of risk, for a cast-iron contract wouldn't hold him, and his testimony wou

where to be found, and the slight restraint imposed by his presence was removed. Mrs. LaGrange and her son were also absent, preferring to take their meals privately in an adjoining room which Hugh Mainwaring had

t curiosity. Scott was conscious, however, of an increased friendliness towards himself on the part of most of the guests, but feeling that it wa

, you are

ton, if you please?

this afternoon to rescue you from the enemy's grounds, whither you had been carried by the sensational statements of Mrs. LaGrange and the coachman and chambermaid, an

y that, though I believe I am generally able to fight my own battles; but I will

e?" she inquired,

h circumstances conspired against me. I discovered, then, that it was no confidence in me, bu

and Miss Carleton looked keenly in

after a pause. "My confidence in you would have bee

Then added, gently, "Would, it be strong enough to stan

a moment before speaking; then seeing young Mainwaring approach

indeed a 'mystery;' but you can be assured of this much: I would never, und

teous. Both drew him into conversation and found him exceedingly entertaining, though reserved concerning himself. Isabel Mainwaring still held herself aloof and took little part in the conversa

s room; but an hour or two later there was a knock at his door, a

fine cigars, and it's too pretty a night to stay in one's room;

n which Mainwaring's room opened, where the latter had already placed two r

nto the starlit night with its beauty of dim outline an

ly in particular, have treated you within the last day or two. It was

cott answered, indifferently; "I never gave i

haven't any excuse for myself; only things did look

woods yet, and there is no telling what developments

esn't occur very often. Now it's different with the governor. He's got so confoundedly wrought up

Mainwaring expects to win the property in

Mainwaring, Hugh's father, a few years before I was born, to win into his own family the old Mainwaring estate. He had an idea that Hugh would never marry, and gave me his name, hoping that I would be made his heir. Should the governor succeed in this scheme of his, he will immediately buy back the Mainwaring estate, although he knows I don't care a rap for the whole thing, and we will then have the honor, as he considers it, of perpetuat

d, musingly, "Your uncle's name seems to be rather unusual among

governor had not been looking out for Hugh Mainwaring's money. There was a direct line of Harolds down to my great-grandfather. He gave

Hugh Mainwaring would have borne t

silence, then said, in lower tones, "O

nwaring a brother?" S

e particulars, for the governor seldom alludes to it. I know, however, that Harold was the elder son, but that Uncle Ralph disinherited hi

ied; did he leav

ph was severe; he would not even allow Harold's name to be mentioned; and Hugh also must have turned aga

ause, "I believe Hugh Mainwar

effect that he hoped when I should have reached his age, I would be able to look back over a happier past than his had been. It

han an hour they dwelt on that subject, advancing many surmises, some strangely imp

t, "and I don't know yet how it may terminate; but there's one thing I shall look back upon with pleasure, and that is my meeting with you;

how little we know of each other, the circumstances under which

ou pretty closely. I don't think we need either of us be troubled about the f

of the young Englishman and, for the first time, calling him by