CHAPTER XX. THE SINS OF THE FATHER. When Dora made that last remark, the face of Mrs. Tice grew red and indignant. She looked at the girl with a fiery eye, and demanded crossly what she meant by saying such a thing. Knowing the attachment of the housekeeper to Allen, this was natural enough. "The fact is," explained Dora, "Mr. Joad accuses Allen of murdering Mr. Edermont." "And what next, I wonder!" cried Mrs. Tice in high dudgeon; "it is more likely Mr. Joad killed the man himself! Can he substantiate his accusation?" "He can state that Allen was in this house on the night of the murder." "That does not say Mr. Allen committed the crime," retorted Mrs. Tice, her face a shade paler. "Mr. Allen told me in confidence that he had seen the dead body, and had kept silent for his own sake. I quite agreed with him that it was the best thing to do. And he told you also, Miss Carew?" "Yes, he told me also; but he did not inform Joad." "Then how does Joad know that Mr. Allen was here on that night?" "He saw him from the door of his cottage," said Dora quietly; "but you need not be afraid for Allen, Mrs. Tice. I can save him, and close Joad's mouth." "But how, my dear?" asked the housekeeper, greatly perplexed. "By becoming the wife of Mr. Joad." "Mercy on me, Miss Carew! You would not do that!" exclaimed Mrs. Tice, lifting up her hands in horror. "I won't do it unless I am forced to," said Dora gloomily. "But supposing Joad denounces Allen, how can he defend himself? I know that he is innocent; but his presence here on that night looks guilty." "Appearances are against him, certainly. But if Mr. Allen is arrested, he will have to save his life by denouncing your father as the murderer." "My father is not the murderer." "I say that he is!" cried Mrs. Tice emphatically. "For twenty years George Carew has been hunting down Mr. Dargill--I suppose Lady Burville told you his real name?--and he caught him at last and killed him." "You are wrong," said Dora, shaking her head. "I thought as you did before Mr. Pallant arrived. He undeceived me." "What does Mr. Pallant know about it?" "He knows everything. He met my father in San Francisco two years ago, and my father told him the whole story before he died." "Died! Do you mean to say that George Carew is dead?" "He is dead and buried." "Captain Carew dead!" muttered Mrs. Tice in a bewildered tone; "dead--and without avenging himself on the man who stole his wife! Then, who killed Mr. Dargill--or rather, Mr. Edermont?" "I do not know. That is just what I wish to find out." "No one else had any reason to kill him," said the housekeeper in dismay, "and yet he is dead--dead--murdered. You are right, my dear," she added in a firm tone; "this is a serious matter for Mr. Allen. Joad hates him so that he would willingly perjure himself to see my dear boy hanged. But we must save him, you and I; we must save him, Miss Carew."