"I couldn't keep silence. It's better my man should kill me, for I'm unhappy enough, and maybe I couldn't be any worse off in the Lord's hand—rather than they should hang him for a thing he never done. He was kind, and I was desperate miserable, that's the truth, and I'm hoping his lady won't be hard on him when she knows it all."
"No, no," said Mr. Murbles, clearing his throat. "Excuse me a moment, madam. Sir Impey—"
The lawyers whispered together in the window-seat.
"You see," said Sir Impey, "she has burnt her boats pretty well now by coming at all. The great question for us is, Is it worth the risk? After all, we don't know what Wimsey's evidence amounts to."
"No, that is why I feel inclined—in spite of the risk—to put this evidence in," said Mr. Murbles.
"I am ready to take the risk," interposed Mrs. Grimethorpe starkly.
"We quite appreciate that," replied Sir Impey. "It is the risk to our client we have to consider first of all."
"Risk?" cried Mary. "But surely this clears him!"
"Will you swear absolutely to the time when his grace of Denver arrived at Grider's Hole, Mrs. Grimethorpe?" went on the lawyer, as though he had not heard her.
"It was a quarter past twelve by the kitchen clock—'tis a very good clock."