She paled again, and looked up quickly.
"Is there something you are keeping from me? If so it would be kinder to tell me. I can bear anything now I think."
The Major appeared nervous and ill at ease.
"Well, Mrs. Arkel, I feel in one way I ought to, and yet the subject is so very painful for both of us——"
"For both of us?"
"Surely you know how I feel——"
"Yes, yes; but tell me what you have in your mind."
"Well, then, I am very much inclined to think that your brother killed my uncle."
Miriam remained perfectly calm. She had fully expected this; but she felt secure from what he had said, that for her sake he would take no action.
"What reasons have you for thinking that?"