"Ah!" said HM "Now we got it!"
"Got what?"
Statement and question were flung across that warm kitchen. Martin knew that a scale-pan hung in the balance, that a gambler prepared to play.
"You've been torturin' yourself," said H.M., "because you thought you were responsible for that kid's death. You thought some swine believed she knew too much, and killed her."
Puckston put the table-cloth in front of his face.
"I don't hold many things sacred," said H.M., "but I swear you on what I do hold sacred that you're wrong. Wrong! That wasn't the reason! It wasnt even a reason you or I could understand."
The table-cloth fell to the floor. ‘’Ere! Are you trying to.?"
"No. I can prove it, son. And if I do prove it," said H.M., with such a radiance of conviction that the other did not move, "will you help me with something else?'
Ten seconds ticked past. Puckston walked across to the table and extended his hand. H.M. gripped it After this be slid back in his chair with a Gargantuan thump, and breathed noisily. Slowly his head turned round.
"You," he glared at Martin with incredible malevolence, ‘What are you doin’ here, son?"