Part 45 (1/2)
”You have no orderly programme arranged for every day?”
”Well, it varies.”
”But never includes any useful occupation, I believe?”
”Well, I can afford to enjoy life.”
”You are rich, you said. How fortunate to be rich! The great problem of life then is solved for you by the drawing of a quarterly check?”
”Well, not exactly.”
”If you require money, however, you simply ask for it and it comes forth like the genii of the lamp?”
”I can usually meet what expenses I incur.”
”Do you remember a man named Reddy?”
”Reddy?” repeated Harry, coloring a shade more and glancing over at Rosalie.
”Reddy,” repeated s.h.a.garach, insistently.
”What is his business?”
”He is dead,” said the lawyer, and the witness knew that evasion was futile.
”Oh, yes, I knew that Reddy--slightly.”
”Do you remember forfeiting several thousand dollars to him one evening in a certain room?”
”Yes.”
Harry was driven to the wall. He set his teeth, and now, finally at bay, his spirit seemed to return.
”Where did that money come from?”
”From my mother.”
”And from whom did she get it?”
Harry hesitated.
”From one Simon Rabofsky, a money-lender, was it not?”
”Yes.”
”She had sold her family jewels, had she not?”
”Yes.”
”She kept you in funds?”
”Yes, but she knew nothing of my habits.”
”Then you lied to her to obtain money?”
”Yes.”
”And you lied to the court awhile ago when you said that you were rich?”
”No, sir; it was only a temporary embarra.s.sment.”
”Have the jewels been redeemed?”
”I believe not.”
”Do rich people generally p.a.w.n their family heirlooms and permit them to be sold?”
”Well, no.”
”Then you were so circ.u.mstanced that your disinheritance under your uncle's will might seriously incommode you?”
”Well, his money might afford us relief.”
CHAPTER LV.
WEATHERVANES VEER.
”Do you know Ellen Greeley?”
”I did know her slightly.”
”Never corresponded with her?”
”Oh, no.”
”You have a key to your own house, I suppose?”
”Certainly.”
”And can slip out and in un.o.bserved?”
”If I choose to.”
”Which door do you generally use going into your uncle's house?”
”The front door always.”