Ellis made this demand with the intention of seeing how far Mrs. Moxton would trust him, as it was scarcely fair that the confidence should be all on one side. To his secret astonishment and openly-expressed pleasure, she agreed at once to the request. "As you trust me, I shall you," said Mrs. Moxton. "Keep the will by all means till to-morrow morning; but take care of it, as it is an original document." "I will put it away now "; and Ellis locked the document up in a despatch-box which stood near his desk. "And I thank you for this proof of confidence, Mrs. Moxton; you will not find it misplaced." "I am quite sure of that, doctor. I trust you thoroughly." "In some ways, yes, in others, no. For instance, why will you not tell me about Zirknitz?" Mrs. Moxton turned pale. "I cannot tell you about him--yet." Ellis was vexed. "Well, there is no need," said he, a trifle crossly. "I know about this man." "About Rudolph? About--" "Yes, about your brother by marriage." The widow, who in her excitement had half risen from her chair, fell back into it again thunderstruck. "Where did you meet him?" she stammered. "At the Merryman Music-Hall." "Do you know that place?" shrieked Mrs. Moxton, much agitated. "I was there last night. There I met Zirknitz, and he told me of his relationship to you. Also," and here Ellis grew grave, "he informed me who murdered your husband." Mrs. Moxton's capacity for amazement was exhausted by these repeated shocks, and she sat limply in her chair. The last remark, however, seemed to brace her up for the moment. "And who does he say killed Edgar?" she asked, with an anxiety she strove vainly to conceal. "None other than Busham, the man who--" Mrs. Moxton interrupted him with a burst of hysterical laughter. "Dr. Ellis," said she, in a choking voice, "I _know_ that is false. Mr. Busham did _not_ kill my husband." CHAPTER XI A HALF CONFESSION Mrs. Moxton made the statement regarding Busham's innocence with so much decision that Ellis looked at her in surprise. It was strange that she should defend a man she disliked. "How is it that you think him guiltless?" he asked anxiously. "Because he is a coward, and too timid to kill a man." "Your husband was stabbed in the back in the darkness. That looks like a coward's deed." "All the same, I feel sure he is innocent," persisted the widow. "I can see no reason for his killing Edgar. He knew that old Moxton made another will shortly before dying, and that he would not inherit. No! look at it which way you will, Mr. Busham is not the murderer. I detest the man, but I must be just to him. What else did Rudolph tell you, or, rather, on what ground does he accuse Mr. Busham?" "He refused to tell me the grounds without your permission." "My permission! Why, I know nothing about the matter." "From what Zirknitz hinted it would appear that you do," said Ellis, a trifle drily.