"Half the town might go in and out," he said, "and he would take no notice of them, but I do not know about telling him of a sudden. Perhaps, sir, you'd ask Mrs. Costello?"
"Mrs. Costello! Why? Is she here?"
"Yes, sir; and she seems to be to know more about him than even my wife who nursed him what she could, ever since he's been ill."
"It might be as well to consult her, then; could you ask her to speak to me?"
"Well, sir, if you like to go up into the room; it's a large one, and you may talk what you please at the further side; he'll never hear."
Accordingly they went up. Mrs. Costello was sitting beside her husband, and had been talking to him. He had been for a short time quite aroused to interest in what she said, but very little fatigued him, and they were both silent when the door softly opened to admit the unexpected visitor. Mrs. Costello rose with a strange spasm at her heart. She foresaw news, but could not guess what, and she trembled as Mr. Bellairs shook hands with her.
"Do you think," he said at once, "that it would be safe to tell him good news?"
She looked at him eagerly, and he in turn was startled by the passionate interest that flashed into her face.
"What news?" She asked in a quick vehement whisper.
"That he is proved innocent; that the murderer has confessed."