It was love!
Anger, perhaps terror, had forced Marcia into betraying a secret no other power could have dragged from her.
Sylvia marveled that the men whose gaze was riveted upon her did not also read her involuntary confession.
Apparently they failed to do so.
"Ain't I said a'ready I had proof? What more do you want me to do, Eleazer?" Elisha fumed.
"What proof have you?" Marcia interposed.
Elisha shifted from one foot to the other.
"I've seen the jewels," he whispered. "They're here—in this room. Don't think I'm blamin' you, Marcia. 'Course Heath bein' what he is, is nothin' against you," he hurried on breathlessly. "We're all aware you wouldn't shelter no criminal did you know he was a criminal; nor would you furnish a hidin' place for his stolen goods. What I'm sayin' is news to you an' a shock. I can see that. Naturally it's hard to find our friends ain't what we thought 'em. When faced with the evidence, though, you'll see the truth same's Eleazer an' me see it.
"Heath, the feller overhead, is the Long Island jewel robber.