The patroon had nothing for me to do, so I returned to my room. But I could not rest. After a while—it must have been towards midnight—I rose and went outside for a breath of air. I hardly knew where to walk. Then I bethought myself of Miriam alone in the cottage among the hills. I was just turning in that direction when I heard footsteps in the gravel path behind me. I drew back into the shadow to conceal myself till I knew who besides myself was stirring at this hour of the night. I soon recognized Louis Van Ramm coming towards me slowly. He paused near where I was hiding and looked about him. “Where are you?” he asked in a guarded whisper. “Here,” I answered. “Ah, I thought I saw you. Let us walk farther from the house.” When we had gone a short distance he continued abruptly, “My mother is dead. The young mistress will stay there till I come. I told the patroon and he was glad that she was dead. Curse his soul! Now that he knows Ronald and not I was his son I shall go like the rest.” “Why should he want your life?” I asked. “I know his secrets. Do you know why Le Bourse died; and who warned the Marmadukes?” “Was it you?” “Who else would it be? I knew you from the start. It was I blinded the old fool, for I saw that you brought me a chance of revenge. He killed Ronald. He killed my mother. But that is not all. Do you ever wonder why your sister died?” “For God’s sake what of that?” “Not much. She stumbled on one of his secrets and when she would not refuse to tell she was murdered in her bed.” “Merciful God, shall I stand this? I’ll back and defy him to his face.” The dwarf caught me by the arm. “Not yet. What proof have you except my word? And any morning may find me dead. We have no fool to deal with unless it is you.” “What do you mean by that?” “You are a Huguenot; Mistress Miriam is a Catholic.” “What of that?” “You would not have asked that question three months ago. What did you say to the patroon the night you came, when he asked you to go into service? Yet—what is that?” He leaned forward and placed his hand upon my breast. This action threw me into a fury. “Hands off, you dog,” I cried. “Stand back or take the consequences.” “It is clear enough,” he replied. “She is the witch. You cannot be trusted. But you are all I have. Listen to my story. When your sister was murdered I got word secretly to Lady Marmaduke. The grave was opened in her presence. She knew that his story about branding her was a lie. Yet she would not act. She would not do what I wanted her to. If she had, I should have told her the great secret. But I did not and that must wait.” He turned on me sharply. “Will you kill the patroon?” “He asked me to do the same by you.” “Me? When?” “Four days ago.” “The day he learned who Ronald was. I knew it would be so. Why did you refuse?” “I am not a murderer.” “A spy?” “No!” “What then?” I could not say. I stood in silent shame.