"Go—find Miss Helen—send her to me quickly. I don't want to see Mr. Tom. I want to see her alone first."
Minerva had backed out of his way and answered plaintively:
She paused and extended her hand pleadingly:
"You'll be easy wid 'em, sah?"
He hadn't heard. The tall figure slowly sank into the chair and his shoulders drooped in mortal weariness.
Minerva shook her head sadly and turned to do his bidding.
Norton's eyes were set in agony, his face white, his breast scarcely moving to breathe, as he waited Helen's coming. The nerves suddenly snapped—he bowed his face in his hands and sobbed aloud:
"Oh, dear God, give me strength! I can't—I can't confess to my boy!"