"Certainly. Provided the witness were trustworthy."
"If a witness went forward and declared it now, would they release him?"
"Impossible. He is committed to take his trial at the assizes, and he cannot be released beforehand. It is exceedingly unwise of him not to declare where he was that evening—if he can do so."
"Where do the public think he was? What do they say?"
"I am afraid the public, Anna, think that he was not out anywhere. At any rate, after eleven or half-past."
"Then they are very cruel!" she passionately exclaimed. "Do they all think that?"
"There may be a few who judge that it was as he says; that he was really away, and is, consequently, innocent."
"And where do they think he was?" eagerly responded Anna again. "Do they suspect any place where he might have been?"
William made no reply. It was not at all expedient to impart to her all the gossip or surmises of the town. But his silence seemed to agitate her more than any reply could have done. She turned to him, trembling with emotion, the tears streaming down her face.
"Oh, William! tell me what is thought! Tell me, I implore thee! Thee cannot leave me in this trouble. Where is it thought he was?"