At last she said in faint tones: "You think this because I warned you of danger—because of all I have said; but I was distracted, and at that time I did not foresee that you must be told who we are."
"All that is true. I am more sorry for you than words can say; but it must be better for you to share a secret you seem to be nursing alone, and you cannot think I would ask if I did not need to know."
She did not answer. He suspected that she was using all her attention to regain self-control and the strength that she had lost so suddenly.
"You told me that you thought you knew who committed this second crime," he said, "and I am convinced that you connect it with that other."
A low moan escaped her. Her head sank lower.
"I believe that the nigger is guilty, but I can't go to court and swear away his life, knowing only what you have told me and no more."
She whispered eagerly: "Will it do if I swear now that I believe I was mistaken—that I knew nothing, or, at least, no proof to the contrary?"
"Have you ever had the least reason to suppose that another person capable of these crimes lurked upon Deer?"
"If I swear to you that I never thought anyone else was near us, or on the mountain, will that satisfy you?" She was leaning her brow heavily on the hand that shaded her face.
"No one else—else than——?"