human
You must tell the truth now, said Bella,
gpt
You'll be glad of that, Bella?
human
No, said the girl earnestly;
gpt
I am not glad to see you suffer. You have been cruel to me, and I thought that I should like to see you punished; but now that you have lost your husband and are so miserable, I am very sorry, and both Cyril and I will do our best to help you. Tell all you know, Aunt Rosamund, and perhaps you will not be arrested.
human
If I tell all I know I am sure to be arrested,
gpt
But surely you did not murder your own brother?
human
No, I didn't. Badly as Jabez treated me I did not kill him, although I don't deny that I wished for his death. Well, he is dead and I got his money, and now-- she buried her shameful face in her hands wailingly--
gpt
--she suddenly lifted up her head to glare furiously at Cyril, who was leaning against the door-post a few yards from the watching policeman--
human
They are in this bag, said Lister, holding it up,
gpt
Jabez left everything to me,
human
These jewels were not his to leave. They were the property of Maxwell Faith, who was a trader and----
gpt
I know all about that, said Mrs. Vand, cutting him short,
human
Yes; therefore the jewels are her property. Who told you of----
gpt
Luke Tunks told me.
human
That's a lie!
gpt
It's the truth, gasped Mrs. Vand, taking another sip of the brandy which Bella held to her lips.
human
Luke was dodging round the house on the night of the murder and peeped in at the study window. He overheard the interview between Jabez and Edwin Lister.
gpt
What! Cyril took a step forward in sheer surprise.
human
You know my father's name also?
gpt
I know much, but not all, said Mrs. Vand in a stronger voice, for the spirit was taking effect.
human
For instance, I don't know what became of Edwin Lister, but Luke does.
gpt
Then Luke shall be arrested and questioned.
human
He shan't! muttered Granny venomously.
gpt
Luke's escaped--a clever boy.
human
How much did Luke tell you?
gpt
Only so much as cheated us--Henry and I--into paying him money.
human
Oh, said Cyril quietly,
gpt
He spent his money in drink, said Mrs. Vand indifferently.
human
We paid him a good deal. He never would have left us, and intended to go to America with us to-night, as he knew too much for our safety.
gpt
How did you intend to escape?
human
We intended to row down the channel to the swamps; that is why Henry got the boat a few weeks ago. Then we intended to cut across the marshes to the high road, where a motor-car, hired by Henry, awaited us. It would have taken us to London, and there we could have concealed ourselves until a chance came to get to the States. Everything was cut and dried, but you----
gpt
No, said Lister seriously;
human
That negro? Then I am glad he is dead! cried Mrs. Vand, who was getting more her old self every minute.
gpt
However, it's all done with now. You have the jewels, Henry is dead, and I don't care what becomes of me.
human
But who murdered my father?
gpt
Jabez wasn't your father. Maxwell Faith was your father, for Luke overheard Edwin Lister say as much to Jabez.
human
And what became of Edwin Lister?
gpt
I don't know; Luke never told me that. All he said was that he saw and heard the two talking. Then he left the window, and only returned to see Henry stab my brother.
human
Oh!
gpt
Yes, you may say 'oh' as much as you like, but it's true, said Mrs. Vand with great doggedness.
human
Henry came with me to the Manor-house on that night at ten o'clock. He did not stop at the boundary channel, as he declared. He only said that to save himself. But he came with me, and we saw my brother, who was in his study. We confessed that we were married, and then Jabez grew angry and said he would turn me as a pauper out of the house next morning. He drove Henry and myself out of the room. I fainted in the kitchen, and when I came to myself Henry was bending over me, very pale. He said he had killed Jabez with a knife which he found on the floor. I had seen the knife before when we were telling Jabez about our marriage. But in the excitement I didn't pick it up.
gpt
Was there blood on the knife?
human
I can't say; I don't know. I was too flurried to think about the matter. All I know is that Henry killed Jabez with that knife which Jabez brought from Nigeria, and then dropped it behind the desk.
gpt
What took place exactly?
human
Ask Luke; ask Luke, said Mrs. Vand testily.
gpt
He knows all,
human
It's your sole chance of getting out of this trouble,
gpt
I don't care if I get out of the trouble, or if I do not, said Mrs. Vand wearily.
human
Henry is dead, just as we were on the eve of happiness, so I don't much care what becomes of me.
gpt
Could you have been happy in America knowing your husband to be a murderer?
human
Certainly, returned the woman with great composure.
gpt
I knew all along that Henry had struck the blow; but I daresay Jabez goaded him into doing so, as poor Henry was so good and weak.
human
Weak! echoed Cyril, remembering all.
gpt
He was not very weak to kill an active man like Captain Huxham, and a strong negro such as Durgo was.
human
Ah! said Mrs. Vand exultingly, and contradicting herself in a truly feminine way,
gpt
Henry was a man--none of your weaklings. If we had only escaped with those --she stared hard at the black bag which contained the jewels--
human
No, I am not, Aunt Rosamund----
gpt
I am not your aunt; I don't wish to be your aunt.
human
All the same, I am very sorry for you, said Bella, with the tears in her eyes,
gpt
Don't you believe that I killed Jabez?
human
No, said Bella quietly.
gpt
I believe what you say. Henry killed Captain Huxham, and like a true wife you held your tongue to save him. I should have done exactly the same had Cyril been guilty.
human
You're a good girl, Bella. I'm sorry I was so hard on you. I don't suppose there's much happiness left me in this life, now that Henry is dead. But I shall repay you for those kind words. There! there! Don't kiss me again. I have been mistaken in you. Good-bye,