"Did you know at the time that it was not suicide?" pursued Mr. Greatorex.
How should Bede get through this? say what he must say, and yet not say too much? He inwardly asked himself the question.
"There was just a suspicion of it on my mind, sir. Anyway, Alletha Rye must be set at liberty."
"I do not understand what you say, Bede; I do not understand you. Your manner on this subject has always been an enigma. William Ollivera holds the opinion that you must be screening someone."
A terrible temptation, hard to battle with, assailed Bede Greatorex at the charge--to avow to his father who and what he had been screening ever since the death. He forced himself to silence until it had passed.
"What is troubling you, Bede?"
Mr. Greatorex might well ask it; with that sad countenance in front of him, working with its pain. In his grievous perplexity, Bede gave the true answer.
"I was thinking if it were possible for Pitman's explanation to be avoided, father."
"What! Is Pitman found?"
"Yes, he is found," quietly answered Bede. "He----"