Again she shrank back.
"You know the murderer," she repeated. "Perhaps you committed the foul deeds yourself."
He took a step back as if struck a blow. Then he recovered quickly and smiled a bitter smile.
"No, I was not near the place, I can prove it. Besides, your folks and myself were on good terms. There is somebody else, who was around the house when the affair happened—somebody you know well, a person who would know all about the drug with which your father and Mrs. Langmore were killed."
"Who was it?"
"Will you consent to marry me?"
"Tell me first."
"No, afterwards."
"You are fooling me."
"I swear I am not, Margaret. Marry me, and I will clear you as surely as the sun is shining."