"Well, never mind!" smiled the inspector. Looking at her curiously, he asked: "Why are you afraid of your uncle?"
"I don't know," she replied, hesitating. "He— I'm afraid of him, that's all. I can't explain why." Laughing hysterically, she went on: "I'm at a disadvantage here. I can't seem to say even what I've said a great many times."
The physicians looked at each other significantly. Mr. Cooley nudged Jimmy. The examiner went on:
"Did you tell Dr. Zacharie that you'd rather die than let your uncle get his brother's estates?"
"I may have said so. It's very probable," answered Paula quietly.
"Did you say you'd rather he was dead?"
"No, I did not," she answered emphatically. Pointing to Dr. Zacharie she exclaimed indignantly: "That man has twisted my words! He'd ask me questions, and I'd answer them without thinking."
"Oh!" sneered Mr. Cooley. "Then you might have said it and have forgotten that you said it?"
"Yes, I might," she said falteringly. "But I—I don't think it's fair to—to—to—— It isn't fair——"
"Naturally she would deny it," suggested Dr. Zacharie in an undertone to the other physicians.