Leah threw up her hands in distress. "Oh, Mr. Charles!" she gasped. "Please don't question me, sir. I cannot tell you anything about that."
"I must know it, Leah."
She shook her head. Her tears had begun to fall.
"Indeed you must explain it to me," I continued, speaking gently. "There is no help for it. Don't you see that this will have to be investigated, and——"
"You never suspect me of taking the money, sir?" she exclaimed breathlessly.
"No, I do not," I replied firmly. "It is one thing to be sure of honesty, and quite another thing to wish mysterious circumstances cleared up, where the necessity for doing so exists. What was your mystery last night, Leah?"
"Must I tell you, sir?"
"Indeed you must. I dare say to tell it will not hurt you, or to hear it hurt me."
"I would die rather than Watts should know of it," she exclaimed, in low, impassioned tones, glancing towards the door.
"Watts is in the kitchen, Leah, and cannot hear you. Speak out."