Page:Randall Parrish--My Lady of the South.djvu/201

THE TABLES TURNED bluntly, pointing with one hand back at the body. "If you have been on guard, sir, how could this have happened?" "The deed must have been done before I was released. When first I looked in here Judge Dunn rested in the same position in which you found him."

"Neither of you came into the room?"

"No; not so as to approach the table. Miss Denslow thought the sight of me would arouse his anger."

She lifted her head, looking up at us from where she still knelt, tears shining on her long lashes.

"I came in after the revolver belt," she said, her voice trembling, "but Lieutenant King did not even enter the room."

Donald's form straightened, his voice gruffer than I remembered hearing it before.

"But you were asleep, Jean, when I came down the stairs. Lieutenant King had left his chair, and was in the front of the hall."

I took a deep breath, realizing afresh the peril of my position, the weakness of my defence. The girl spoke, pleadingly, brokenly.

"But he could not have done this; Lieutenant King could not have done this. The thought is impossible. He is not a murderer, but a soldier."

Donald stood between us, erect, motionless, his lips firmly set, his eyes upon mine.

"I do not know what to think, Jean." he said with a grave deliberateness, "I only know every circumstance points to this man, and leaves no doubt as to my own [ 187 ]