It was Betty who answered as Trenholm rose and placed a chair for Miriam and, from a motive which Miriam failed to guess and Trenholm himself to analyze, stood by her side, his eyes watching every play of emotion in Betty’s beautiful face.
“I sent for you, Miss Ward,” Betty stated, “and for Sheriff Trenholm, because I wished to see him in your presence,” she faltered and grew paler. “It was before him that I flatly contradicted your statement that I was here in this room with Paul on Monday night. I wish to withdraw that denial.”
The room swam around Miriam. It was the last sentence she expected from Betty. She had exonerated her and before Guy Trenholm. He would know that she had not lied. She stole a look at him. Trenholm’s attention was entirely centered on Betty and his expression was difficult to decipher.
“Your motive for denying your presence here, Miss Carter?” he asked, and she winced at his tone and the formality of his address. Her woman’s intuition told her that she could not sway him by feminine wiles as in the old days in Paris. He had developed from a shy country boy into a man, stern perhaps, but just, resourceful and strong. “What was your motive?” he asked again, with more emphasis, as she kept silent.
“The danger of being arrested for Paul’s murder,” she said, and this time it was Trenholm’s turn to feel astonishment, mingled with a reluctant admiration. Betty, with characteristic courage, was taking the ground from under his feet.
“And your reason for such a fear?” he questioned swiftly.
“My marriage to Paul under such peculiar circumstances and my immediate departure, which occurred,” she added, addressing Miriam, whom surprise had kept silent, “judging from your testimony, just before Paul was killed.”
“Your departure just before he was killed is the very point which clears you of all suspicion,” declared Trenholm dryly, and Betty changed color. “Come, Miss Carter, what has Paul’s will to do with your sudden admission of your marriage to him?”
“Mr. Trenholm!”
“Please—no heroics!” holding up an authoritative hand. “Let us have the truth at last, Miss Carter.”