"I risked danger for the woman's fortune," retorted Etwald, with revolting candor. "It was the money I wanted. But death--no, I did not risk that."
"I am not so sure of that, Etwald. How did you know that David would confess in so dramatic a fashion?"
"I did not know it, major. As I said before, his confession took me by surprise. Still, as I was innocent, I knew that I could not be hanged."
"Well," said Jen, growing weary of this long-continued conversation, which seemed to lead to nothing, "at all events you'll not escape a long term of imprisonment."
"Why?" said Etwald, with an agreeable smile. "There are two opinions about that. Mine is that I shall go free. Then," he added, coolly, "I intend to seek Barbadoes and search for that black witch in order to recover the Voodoo stone."
"I hope you'll get the chance of going, but I doubt it. However, if you do get as far as the West Indies you'll find friends there."
"Really! Any particular friends?"
"I don't know if you'll consider them so; but Mrs. Dallas and her daughter go back to their estates in Barbadoes within the month."
"Really!" said Etwald again, "Then I may marry her after all."
"She won't have you."