"What did he once do to you?"
"I cannot tell you the real shame, but it was on his evidence that I was condemned. He was staying in the house at the time."
"Murkard, I could give my oath you were not guilty."
"And you would be right. I was not. But I had to plead guilty all the same to save what a worthless woman miscalled her honour. That man knew my secret, and traded on it to my ruin."
"Come, let us get back to the station. I cannot breathe freely until I have rid myself of him."
"When we get there—you must not let my presence be known. I shall hide and watch him."
"I agree. Let us be going."
They went back round the hill and by a circuitous track to the jetty. In less than a quarter of an hour they were back at the station and walking up the path towards the house.