"'They are both well,' I answered, surprised at the tone of her voice. 'I should judge them to be a happy couple.' "'I thank the good God that Mr. Robert is happy,' she said, in a hoarse whisper. "Once again she hurried her footsteps; at last she stood still on a rising knoll of ground. "'Do you see this clump of alders?' she said. 'It was here I stood, just on this spot--I was sheltered by the alders, and even if the night had not been so dark they would never have noticed me. Over there to your right it was done. You don't want me to stay any longer now, ma'am, do you?' "'You can go when I have asked you one or two questions. You stood here, you say--just here?' "'Just here, ma'am,' she answered. "'And the murder was committed there?' "'Yes, where the grass seems to grow a bit greener--you notice it, don't you, just there, to your right.' "'I see,' I replied with a shudder, which I could not repress. 'Do you mind telling me how it was that you happened to be out of your bed at such a late hour at night?' "She looked very sullen, and set her lips tightly. I gazed full at her, waiting for her to speak. "'The man whose blood was shed was my lover--we had just had a quarrel,' she said, at last. "'What about?' "'That's my secret,' she replied. "'How is it you did not mention the fact of the quarrel at the trial?' I asked. "She looked full up at me. "'I was not asked,' she answered; 'that's my secret, and I don't tell it to anybody. It was here I stood, just where your feet are planted, and I saw it done--the moon came out for a minute, and I saw everything--even to the look on the dead man's face and the look on the face of the man who took his life. I saw it all. I ain't been the same woman since.' "'I am not surprised,' I replied. 'You may leave me when I have said one thing.' "'What is that, ma'am?' "She raised her dark eyes. I saw fear in their depths. "'You saw two men that night, Hetty Vincent,' I said--'one, the man who was murdered, was Horace Frere, but the other man, as there is a God above, was not Frank Everett. I am speaking the truth--you can go now.' "My words seemed forced from me, Dr. Rumsey, but the effect was terrifying. The wretched creature fell on her knees--she clung to my dress, covering her face with a portion of the mantle which I was wearing. "'Good God, why do you say that?' she gasped. 'How do you know? Who has told you? Why do you say awful words of that sort?' "Her excitement made me calm. I stood perfectly silent, but with my heart beating with the queerest sense of exultation and victory. "'Get up,' I said. She rose trembling to her feet. I laid my hand on her shoulder. "'You have something to confess,' I said. "She looked at me again and burst out laughing. "'What a fool I made of myself just now!' she said. 'I have nothing to confess; what could I have? You spoke so solemn and the place is queer--it always upsets me. I'll go now.' She backed a few steps away.