“Who ever told you that I had a sister named Hester?” he asked. “Never mind that. I only asked the question.” “Is this some of your friend’s work?” “That is a part of his secret. He says he has certain papers that will startle the world, that he has in his possession a certain confession or a family history written out by an old woman who called herself----” Young Lamont paused, for his father was gasping like a man fighting for his breath. “Go on. Tell me all. What did this woman call herself?” he cried. “Mother Flintstone,” coolly said the son. “She lived in Hell’s Kitchen, and after being threatened a number of times--in spite of the protection of Carter’s assistants--she was murdered a few nights ago.” “Yes, yes. I saw something of that in the newspapers.” “Well, from what I have heard Richmond say in a dark way when in his cups he can prove that Mother Flintstone, the old fence, was your sister.” “Great heavens!” cried Perry Lamont. “Has he got the documents left by this woman?” “I fear he has.” “But he didn’t offer them to me.” “I can’t say as to that.” “He only offered to keep the knowledge of your doings from the world for ten thousand dollars.” “But he has the papers now. I am confident of that.” “Will he sell them?” eagerly asked the millionaire. “He might.” “For how much?” “You must negotiate with him.” “Look here, Claude, my boy. Can’t you get possession of those papers?” “How?” “Any way, I don’t care how you get them.” “You wouldn’t want me to rob my friend?” “I say I don’t care how you get them.” “But he would still possess the secret.” “We’ll take care of him after the documents have been found. How did he get them? Was he familiar with Mother Flintstone?” “I don’t know.” “Merciless villain! He holds the peace of our house in his hands. The man is the quintessence of rascality. Talk about your polished blackmailers. He stands at the head of the procession. I’ll hand him over to the police at once.” “Try it, and the whole thing will come out.” Lamont, senior, gasped again. “Where does Richmond board?” “He changes his place often. I don’t believe he sleeps two nights in the same place.” “Like the sultan. But, look here, my boy. You don’t want the good name of our house destroyed?” “One of the last things I want to see,” said the young rake. “Then help me destroy this man. Help me to get those papers and silence him.” “It is true, then?” “It is true.” “Mother Flintstone was your sister?” “Yes, yes. She was Hester, the sister who contracted a poor marriage years ago and finally drifted into crime.” Claude Lamont seemed struck with a thunderbolt, and for some time he sat in the presence of his father, dazed and speechless.