An odd spasm caught Heath's face, and he paused for a moment before he answered.
"I do recall it."
"Perhaps you remember seeing me? I was riding along the road when I first passed you, and you were walking."
"I remember that I did pass you then, and also that I saw you later."
Heath's sombre eyes were on her face, and his fingers touched a gold cross that hung from his watch-chain.
"You passed me, and you passed Absalom, the Christian boy, and you have been questioned about Absalom."
"I have," he said heavily. "Why do you ask?"
Mrs. Wilder took a quick breath.
"Because I am afraid that you may be asked again. You understand, Mr. Heath, that I know it was the merest chance that brought you there that evening, but, as you were there, and as Mr. Hartley has got it into his head that you know something more than you have told him, I beg of you to bear in mind that if you mention my name you may get me into serious trouble. You would not do that willingly, I think?"
"I certainly would not. What motive took you there is a question for your own conscience. It is not for me to press that question, Mrs. Wilder."