"Given certain conditions, there is an absolute certainty. To my shame be it said, that is really the reason why I went with MacCulloch to dine."
Then I told her about the fellow who had been in the adjoining compartment. How he had forced himself upon me at Victoria; how he claimed to have overheard all that had taken place; how he had arrived at his own conclusions; how he had levied on me blackmail. Lucy listened quietly, putting a question now and then, but never looking at me all the time.
"And am I to understand that this person believes that you committed murder, and is prepared to go into the witness-box and swear it?"
It was not only the question, it was, more than anything, the way in which she asked it, which made me shiver.
"The fellow is a scoundrel."
"Is that why you gave him the hundred pounds? If he is such a scoundrel as you say, why did you not show him the door, and defy him to do his worst?"
The calmness with which she spoke made me writhe. My tone became dogged.
"I have no excuse to offer. I was, and am, quite conscious of my folly."
"I don't wish to say anything unkind to you; I quite realise how you stand in need of all the kindness one can show you; but I don't at all understand your story as you tell it. Why did you quarrel with this woman?"
"I did not quarrel with her; she quarrelled with me."