"But you know, you understand."
"Know what? understand what?" he inquired sharply.
"I said nothing at the inquest. I held my tongue. I never——"
"Bella!" Cyril, now thoroughly roused, advanced and seized her wrists in no gentle grasp, "are you crazy, talking in this way?"
"I have had enough to make me crazy," she said bitterly, "let me go."
"Not till you explain your mysterious behaviour. No"—he grasped her wrists tighter as she strove to release herself—"not till you explain."
"Ah!" she cried out shrilly, "will you murder me also?"
Lister suddenly released her wrists and fell back a pace. "Murder you also?" he repeated. "Am I then in the habit of murdering people?"
"My father. You—you——"
"Well, go on," said he, as the word stuck in her throat.