"Ah, but no. Why should you be under my thumb? It was gratitude I looked for because I knew what would give you a large fortune. Your uncle would have given you enough to live on--perhaps two thousand a year."
"Why so, when he hated me?"
"Because I would have persuaded him. I told him about my daughter and how you loved her."
"I did not," said Hench quickly and with a frown. "You did; you did. And Monsieur Evans, he said that if he found you a good young man and better than your wicked father, whom your uncle hated, that he would allow you a good income as his heir. For that reason did I agree to him putting in the advertisement and bringing you to meet him in that solitary spot. But it was in my mind to tell you all when I came back."
"Why didn't you? It would have saved much trouble."
"Because if I had not consented your uncle would never have acknowledged you as his heir or allowed you anything. Then you could not have married Zara and have given me money as I desired. Monsieur Evans was a healthy man, and I saw he would live for many years."
"Therefore to get the money into your clutches at once you killed him."
"I did not. Who dares to say that I did?"
"Simon Jedd will dare for one, when I examine him, and Mr. Spruce has already accused you, for another."
Madame Alpenny jumped up in a fury. "Mistare Spruce!" she shouted, with a violent gesture. "That wicked beast! That evil one! He accuse me?"