Murder -- Investigation -- Fiction; United States -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
The clerk raised his eyebrows imperceptibly, and calling a boy ordered
him to take the lady to the Governor's suite.
At the Governor's suite the woman was met by a maid, who unhesitatingly
admitted her and escorted her into the Governor's den--a small room
fitted with window-seats and couches galore.
"Are you sure this is all right?" asked the woman, somewhat alarmed at
the effusive way in which she was made so suddenly at home.
The maid insisted that it was; that Governor Beekman was on his way up
from New York; and that he was expected at any moment. The maid left,
locking the door behind her.
Alone in this room the woman settled herself comfortably back to wait
for the Governor. She had not long to wait, however, for presently the
door opened and three men entered the reception-room. From where she
sat she could see them, but they could not see her; and except for
their being perhaps a bit unkempt, she noted that they were of the
ordinary type of business men.
"I suppose this is all right," she heard one of the men saying.
"Of course it is," said another. "We've got a search warrant from the
House, and anyway, we haven't broken in. I'd like to know how you're
going to keep a legislative committee out of any place. We've got our
rights, you know."
The woman shrank into a corner, fearing that any moment they might find
her there. But they merely waited in the outer room, expectantly.
"Wonder what he'll have to say for himself?" queried one.
A second man laughed.
"There's nothing to it," he returned, "we're on a wild goose chase.
Bribery? Nonsense! Beekman's as straight as a die."
"Suppose," said the third, "that we wait until we find out all about
it. Suppose----" He broke off abruptly, for someone was knocking at
the door; and looking up he saw that two people had entered the room.
When the woman in the inner room perceived who had entered, she could
not suppress an exclamation, which, fortunately, however, did not reach
the ears of Leslie and her father, who were now bowing to the three
committee-men.
"I beg your pardon," said Wilkinson, "but can you tell me when the
Governor is likely to return? We----" he smiled awkwardly, "we were
summoned by him to meet him here at this hour."
One of the Assemblymen, a New York man, leaned over to his neighbour,
and said: "That's Wilkinson." Whereupon, the others rose and bowed, and
answered:
"We were told that he'd be here any minute now." And as if in
confirmation of his words, the door suddenly opened, and Governor
Beekman, with a light but hurried step, came into the room.
"I beg your pardon," he said, when he saw who was standing before him.
Leslie turned to him involuntarily, and half acknowledged his bow; then
remembering, she quickly turned away, and looked at her father, fixedly.
The three men pressed forward at once, the chairman speaking.
"Governor," he said, "you understand why we're here. You've had a copy
of the impeachment charges."
Beekman flushed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account