"But you must!" said the doctor. "If you don't, your confession will be of no use. There must be witnesses."
"You mean that I couldn't save him from hanging if I only told it to you?"
"Yes, I mean that," replied the doctor.
"Who do you want to come up?" said the girl presently. "Nay, I don't care who comes now. I did it, and there'll soon be an end to it. Let 'em come, whoever they may be!"
In a few seconds Judge Bolitho and the other man came into the room. The doctor whispered to the judge.
"There must be someone else," said the judge. "I am afraid my evidence would be valueless, although I want to be here. You see, I'm Paul's father."
"Wait a minute," said the doctor, and he ran quickly downstairs. "Mrs. Cronkshaw," he said. "Come into the bedroom at once!"
The girl who lay upon the bed looked from one face to another, as if wondering what was happening.
"Give me some strengthening stuff," she said, "or I shall noan be able to speak."
While the doctor poured some liquid into a glass, the judge passed round to the other side of the bed, while the lawyer—Crashawe by name—sat under the light with writing materials to hand. The woman who went by the name of Cronkshaw eagerly watched the proceedings, and looked like one vastly curious.