“A wife’s testimony isn’t evidence,” replied Mrs. Harroway.
“But what do you mean?” asked Irene, growing serious.
“Literally what I said. Have you never heard?”
“No.”
“It was in Switzerland, years ago. Chevasse, who was on the trip with them, told me. The two were roped together, suddenly fell and dangled over a precipice, Colman lowest. The guide on top couldn’t hold them up. The rope was slipping. So Colman whipped out his knife and cut himself off.”
“And then?”
“Oh, then the guide hauled Gerard up safe and sound.”
“But Hugh?”
“When they looked over to identify the spot where his pulp was lying, they saw him half way down, miraculously caught on a jag of rock. You might try the game twenty million times without it succeeding. I’ve had the place pointed out to me. And there he remained some hours clinging on between heaven and earth.”
Irene closed her eyes with a shiver.