Seeing his hesitation, Esther added: "Whisper it! I will not tell!" Sir Donald came near, but was motioned to stop. He understood her reason, and moved away. There was no response.
"Perhaps I can do something for you!"
"Not now. I shall soon be where help never comes."
Esther begged him to permit her to send for a minister.
"There is no use! My crimes are too great!"
Esther could not leave this strange sufferer with his goading conscience. She suggested that perhaps by telling her of his past life some good might result to the living. He remained silent for a while.
"Yes; but how atone for the death of the innocent? No, I did not kill them! I never knew about the murders until both were drowned!"
He seemed in fevered reverie. Esther, now excited, but controlling her voice, soothingly said:
"Tell me all your troubles. You are safe."
"But they will kill me if I tell! They never fail to have revenge."