"First crime! Why, what the devil d'you mean? I only committed one!"
"Oh, Jabez, do be honest with me. Tell me the truth. Surely by this time you can trust me. Is it true that you murdered Mr. Barton?"
"It's a lie—upon my soul, Miriam, I did not lay a finger on the old man—I wasn't even near the house. On Christmas Day I was in London."
"But I saw you at Southampton afterwards. Don't deceive me, Jabez; everything depends upon your telling me the truth. How came you in Southampton?"
"I told you before. But at the time of the murder I was in London. I can prove it!"
"I believe you, Jabez; but you must not prove it; you dare not!"
"By Jove, that's true; I see what you mean. I'll be nabbed for the other affair if I do. But whose game is this, Miriam?—who says I killed old Barton?"
She cast a glance at the bundle in the corner, and brought her lips to Jabez' ear.
"Shorty says he saw you! Hush! don't waken him. You must get away as quick as ever you can. It's your only chance."
He clenched his fists.