Part 57 (1/2)
”No,” she said; ”I cannot speak. If he who is hovering between life and death could advise, he would say, 'Be silent; let his conscience be his judge.' I say the same. Go. The locket is not there.”
”The police?” he cried in a questioning tone.
”No,” she said, ”the secret was mine. I found it tightly clasped in my poor father's hand.”
”Then the secret is safe.”
”Safe?” she said scornfully. ”Safe? Yes, it is my secret. You asked for mercy. I give it you, for the sake of all who are dear to me; and because, if he lives, my poor father would not prosecute the son of his old friend. There is your locket. Take it, and I pray heaven we may never meet again. Crampton!”
”Yes, Miss Maddy, Crampton--old Crampton, who held you in his arms when you were one hour old.”
”What are you doing here?”
”Watching my master's interests--watching over you.”
”Then you have heard?”
”Every word, my child.”
”You cursed spy!” cried Harry fiercely, as he seized the old man by the throat.
”You've done enough, Master Harry Vine, enough to transport you, sir; and if he dies to send you to your death.”
”Crampton!” shrieked Madelaine, as Harry drew back trembling.
”Be merciful, like you, my dear? No, I cannot.”
”Then you'll go and tell--”
”What I've heard now, my dear? No; there is no need.”
”What do you mean?”
”To watch over you, whether my poor master lives or dies. I know you!
You'd forgive him if he asked.”
”Never! But Crampton, it is our secret. He must go--to repent. Dear Crampton,” she cried, throwing her arms about his neck, ”you must be merciful too!”
”Too late, my dear,” said the old man sternly; ”too late.”
He placed his arm round her and drew her to his breast, as if to defend her from Harry.
”When I went home that night,” he continued in a slow, solemn voice, ”I felt that something was not right, and I came on here--in time to see--”
”Oh!” cried Madelaine.
”In time to see that s.h.i.+vering, guilty wretch flee from where he had struck my poor master down; and if I had been a young man and strong I could have killed him for his crime.”
”You saw him?”