Chapter XVIII A STARTLING DISCLOSURE
At last Alden said, "Mr. Durgan, I came here this morning at the request of my clients and dear friends to make a communication to you. When I have made it you will understand why I should have been glad had you been certain that during the evening no one could have left or entered the house—this negro or any other person. Have you any idea of what I am going to tell you?"
"I am aware that these ladies are, for some good reason, hiding. This information came to me by accident. The secret is safe with me. I have no wish to know more."
"No doubt it is safe, and we are happy that it should be in your keeping. May I ask if you came to guess it solely from those letters which this unhappy pair opened; or did any other circumstance——?"
"Solely through that accident."
"You feel convinced that this knowledge was only shared by these two?"
"I quite think so. Adam will never tell. He is as safe as I am."
"And the woman is dead."