"Why?"
"Because I loved you. That is all over now; I shall never follow or watch you again. I am glad that the black man threw me down last night. When I found this morning that my prayers had been answered and that I no longer suffered from this mad passion, I resolved to say nothing about what had taken place."
"And so invented the story of the epileptic fit?"
"Yes; but the truth is——"
"I know the truth: Durgo told everything to me and to Mr. Lister this morning, or rather this afternoon; also Durgo gave me the papers. I have read them, and know that I am not Captain Huxham's daughter. By the way"—Bella looked sharply at the preacher—"are we friends?"
"Yes, if you will have me for a friend," said Pence meekly.
"By all means, now that you love me no longer. Be my friend,"—she held out her hand, which Pence grasped feebly—"and tell me how you got those papers."
"From your father's—I mean from Captain Huxham's safe."
"Then you were in the room on that night?"
"Yes. I saw the body."