was the reason for his first marriage, and for his second. And if he'd to kill a man to prevent the sea being let into the mine, then he might have killed before. The thought in my mind was so horrible that I tried to throw it out. It would make my mother's madness more ghastly by far than I had ever dreamed.
I tried not to think about it, but strode on with my hands clenched. I'd have it out with him right now. I'd get the truth out of him if I had to kill him with my bare hands to do it.
We had come in sight of the house now. I could see the bars on the little dormer window. They stood out sharp against the panes, which were white with reflected moonlight.
The girl caught hold of my arm. 'You won't do anything, will you?' she asked again.
I didn't answer. I didn't want to talk to anybody about it. I just wanted to get at old Manack.
'Please,' she said. She was panting with the effort of keeping up with me. 'It won't do any good. He thought you were going to destroy the mine. He loves it. It's his only child. Please.'
We had reached the house now. I made straight for the front door, the girl clinging to my arm. I tried to shake her off. But she held on, pleading. The door was not locked. I went in. Then I turned and tore her hands loose from my arm.
'Please, Jim,' she cried. 'Please.'
But I got myself clear of her.
'You go back to your kitchen,' I said.