His sudden manner of agonized affection, and words that came like a cry from the heart, brought a hush of trembling expectation. Bertha gazed intently at her sister, unconscious of the tears of excitement that were running over her own eyes. Durgan, who had never thought to see Alden so moved, felt the utmost wonder. But the fragile, faded woman, to whom the passionate question had been addressed, faced her questioner with no other change in the calm front she bore than an added degree of sadness. "Hermione," cried Alden again, "why did you conceal this man's guilt from me at the time, and why do you still wish to conceal it?" "Herbert," she replied very gently, "you have no evidence of his guilt." "I have," he replied. Durgan felt himself start nervously. Such a statement from this keen legal mind was like a declaration of proof. The effect of the words upon Miss Hermione was a visible shudder which ran through her frame. "Evidence?" she said, as if still doubting; but terror was written on her face. "Two days ago I went to Hilyard at the summons of the doctor and constable. The colored prisoner, called Adolphus Courthope, was supposed to be dying, and desired to see me. When I went, he asked me to take down a confession and a statement, parts of which supplied links in the story I have told you. The doctor was witness to the interview. Courthope swore that Beardsley was the criminal." Miss Claxton looked at him steadily. "What reason have you to assume that what he said is true?" "In all those parts where I can test its truth it appears to be true. He referred me to Bertha for the fact that she aided his escape at night." "Birdie will not corroborate that. She will tell you nothing." "He would hardly have asked her to corroborate a lie," said Alden. "He told me that when in New York he knew he was dying, his conscience caused him to bring some documents which he believed to incriminate Beardsley; that he gave them to you by appointment on the night of Eve's death; that after giving them he discovered that Adam's wife had been spying on the interview and had followed you up the hill. She showed him a certain place where she saw you hide these letters. He added, in the most matter-of-fact way, that he then killed Eve for her treachery to you, and because she would only make mischief." Bertha stood up in great wrath. "How can you say that my sister did such things as this? No word of this is true. How can you believe a man who is a murderer?" Alden went on looking at Hermione. "I went to the tree of which he gave me a rough drawing." He took from his coat two packets of old letters, with their wrapping of oil-silk, which he had unfastened.