He gave her a sullen glare.
"Oh, very well, bring the whole damn thing rattling down about our ears!" he cried.
"Marsh,—what do you mean? Do you know that John North is innocent?" She spoke with terrifying deliberation.
For a moment they stood staring into each other's eyes. The delicate pallor deepened on her face, and she sank half fainting into a chair, but her accusing gaze was still fixed on Langham.
He strode to her side, and his hand gripped hers with a cruel force.
"Let him prove that he is innocent if he can, but without help from you! You keep still no matter what happens, do you hear? Or God knows where this thing will end—or how!"
"Marsh, what am I to think!"
"You can think what you like so long as you keep still—"
There was a hesitating step in the hall, the door was pushed open, and Judge Langham paused on the threshold.
"May I come in?" he said.