“I don’t care. I have fought and lost.” She moved forward to the table and facing the men adopted quite an oratorical attitude. Beginning her story calmly enough she gradually worked herself up into a furious passion, as a sense of the wrongs she had endured came home to her. And the fact that the man who had inflicted those wrongs was now free, was not the least bitter drop in her cup of sorrow. “Four men against one woman,” said Miss Grison scornfully, and drawing up her small figure stiffly; “five, if that brat can be called a man, instead of an ungrateful beast. How brave you all are, how very brave.” Moon glanced at his watch. “Time presses,” he said coldly, “say what you have to say, for I must take you up to London as soon as possible.” “Oh, I shall say my say quick enough,” cried Miss Grison savagely, “is that the way to speak to a lady, you low policeman. For I am a lady.” She flung back her head haughtily. “I always was a lady, as Baldwin always was a gentleman, bless him.” “Yet you murdered him,” hinted Moon coldly. “And for why?” she demanded clenching her hands, “because I wished to save him from himself and from the gallows, and from further disgracing the honored name left by our father. I tell you all that I loved Baldwin, but I knew his weakness I knew his faults, knew that unless he had some one stronger than himself to cling to, he was always dropping into the mud. Oh, the poor soul, who can blame him? Not I, though the world may, and the world did. If Sorley had treated Baldwin properly, he might have lived and died here in honor.” “I did my best,” quavered her husband faintly, “but he drank and——” “Oh, he had all the vices and you all the virtues,” interrupted Miss Grison scornfully; “but you might have put up with his weaknesses for my sake. I was your wife, and deserved some consideration. But you drove me away and you drove Baldwin.” “I gave you money to set up that boarding-house.” “Yes; and I took it as my right, although I could have spat in your wicked face for insulting me by the offer. I only held my peace when you were courting that slut who died, because you could have put Baldwin into jail. He and I went away to try and live out our ruined lives as best we could. Baldwin was too much afraid to think of revenge, but I was not, and I swore that you should pay for your wickedness. He told you that he had the peacock, which I had given him, after I took it from here, as it was a toy to him. You came and came, but I prevented Baldwin giving it to you, although he wanted to, for money that he might go to the colonies.” “That would have been a wise move,” murmured Alan nodding.