Part 53 (2/2)
”If I do, I don't go into the dock alone, mind you that.”
”No, I guess when you get into the dock, you'll have to make a clean breast of it. Why not do it now and avoid going into the dock?”
”You mean, if I tell the truth about--about--somebody, you won't proceed?”
”I mean, I want to get hold of a certain fact. The fact of your committing perjury is already settled. What I want to know is, how much did the gentleman I have named pay you for doing it?”
”Look here,” he said, ”if I tell you all I know about that blooming trial, will you promise not to split on me?”
”Only on one condition.”
”And what is that?”
”That you will tell the whole truth, and that you put it in writing and sign it.”
”Look here, miss,” he said, insolently, ”do you take me for a blooming fool?”
”If you had been wise,” she answered, ”you would not have put yourself within reach of the law. However, you can take your own course.” And she reined up her horse, as though the interview was at an end.
”Don't go yet,” he said, seizing the bridle-rein. ”You don't give a fellow time to think. How do I know that you're not pretending?”
”If I didn't know, how could I tell you?” she answered, severely. ”What I don't know I have confessed to.”
”And if I tell you that, you won't blab about the rest?”
”If you put it in writing and sign it, it shall be kept absolutely secret for a year.”
He laughed scornfully. ”I can a.s.sure you, miss,” he said, ”I'm not so green as I look.”
”Very good,” she answered, with a laugh. ”You ought to know best,” and she again pulled at the rein. But Tim was evidently afraid to let her go.
”I'll put nothing in writing,” he said; ”not a blooming word. But if you'll promise me on your word of honour as a lady that you'll not blab, and that you'll not put the police on me, I'll tell you all I know. Mind you, I've confessed nothing yet. Not a word.”
”I don't want any confession as to your part. That's proved enough already. What I want to know is how much you were paid for swearing falsely?”
”Will you promise me never to say a word? Mind you, I'll go to gaol sooner than put anything in writing.”
”I don't want to be too hard on you,” she said, after a pause.
”And the secret will be between our two selves?”
”Yes.”
”And if I don't tell you, you'll set the police on me?”
”This very day.”
”And if I do tell, fair and square, you'll deal fair and square with me?”
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