Part 13 (2/2)
w.i.l.l.y's face hardened.
”I have no idea what was in his mind, my good man. It may be that he remembered, at the time he made out his will, that he married Pryor money at a time when he needed it very badly to save the Olan interests. Perhaps he felt that it was proper, after providing for his wife and children adequately, to see that in case of common disaster or the death of any of them, the money would revert to the Pryor family. The Citizens Bank and Trust acts as executor. If you check with them you will find that the estate has not been entirely settled, even after sixteen years, due to the unfortunate illness of my sister. Furthermore, Captain, I can a.s.sure you that we do not need the money. I a.s.sume you can check that fact somehow.”
Kruslov refused to be backed down. I had to admire his stolid dignity.
”Thanks for the information, Mr. Pryor. I will have to have a list of the men Miss Olan has been going out with.”
”I can tell you that,” Miss Bettiger said.
”At least I can tell you who she's gone out with since she got back from Spain in February.”
”How long was she in Spain?”
”Six months,” w.i.l.l.y said.
”I disapproved of her going on a trip like that alone. She was restless. I couldn't stop her.”
Bettiger frowned into the fire.
”Let's see. Bill Mulligan.
Don Rhoades. Mr. Sewell.” She looked apprehensively at w.i.l.l.y.
”There's one other, but...”
”But what?” Kruslov asked, moving closer to her.
”I don't want to get him in trouble.”
”I'll have to know that name, Miss Benson.”
She looked at Kruslov with exasperation, but didn't correct him.
”All right, but there goes a good job. Nels Yeagger.”
w.i.l.l.y's brown face turned the color of a brick.
”That's a d.a.m.n lie!”
”It's not a d.a.m.n lie!” Miss Bettiger shrilled.
”And don't try to call me a liar, w.i.l.l.y Pryor.”
”Who is this guy?” Kruslov demanded.
”He works at our place at Smith Lake,” w.i.l.l.y said.
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