"I didn't kill her."
"So? The yellow is showing up at last. I knew you were a coward, but I didn't think you'd be afraid to own it to yourself. That thing must have lived with you."
"Look here," said Stark, curiously, "do you really think I killed Merridy?"
"I know it. A man who would strike a woman would kill her—if he had the nerve."
Stark had now mastered himself, and smiled.
"My hate worked better than I thought. Well, well, that made it hard for you, didn't it?" he chuckled. "I supposed, of course, you knew—"
"Knew?" Gale's face showed emotion for the first time. "Knew what—?" His hands were quivering slightly.
"She killed herself."
"So help you God?"
"So help me God!"