“He says he is innocent. What can any human being do in the face of such an assertion?”
For a minute or two Grace sat silent. The idea was as new to her as obnoxious to Scott’s lawyer. Hitherto it had never occurred to her that he would deny his guilt; but now—something—not born of reason or conviction, but a subtle instinct, prompted her to answer.
“If Amos Scott says he is innocent, you may believe him. I have known him since I was a child. At such a juncture he would not tell a lie.”
The lawyer smiled.
“Believe me, Miss Moffat,” he said, “the prospect of a halter has a wonderfully deterrent influence on the candour of most people.”
“Perhaps,” she replied; “but he would tell me the truth.”
“Will you see him?” asked the other eagerly.
“Yes, certainly.”
“And report the result of your interview to me?” he continued.
Only for an instant she hesitated, then she replied,—