"You still ask! Any other man would have guessed long since; for you, for you! She wrote them out at sea, before she sprang into the water."
"Then it is the truth! I was convinced of it long since," said he to himself; "but yet moments came in which I was glad to doubt again--what is not possible upon the lonely waves between heaven and earth, with a half-witted--or evil-minded girl?" and then suddenly starting, he cried, as he held Kätchen firmly with his strong arms--
"And yet you are her murderess--why did you not save her?"
"It was not possible," said she, stuttering and shaking; "a wave washed her away from my side--she was buried."
"And the paper--unhappy girl, when were you to give me the paper?"
"She did not say--I could do it at once."
"And you did not do it?"
"I would not."
"Out with the paper!" cried Blanden, enraged.
"I have kept it securely in my bosom for so long, I want my reward for it."