Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/228

 "You are the only one I have told," he said; "and that was necessary."

Clearly he expected her to ask, "Necessary to what?" but she did not make the mistake. She remained silent and left him to reknit the broken strand of discourse.

"The moment of real danger to her will come," he said, after waiting vainly for her to speak, until waiting became a palpable embarrassment; "when Wing's murderer is put on trial." Then, as with a sudden change of his line of attack, he continued: "Have you ever thought why your sons employed me in this case?"

"No; nor cared," she said.

He had expected her to deny that she had known.

"Because they know who the murderer is."

It was a relief to the tension upon her that she could show resentment without personal defence.

"Your remark is insulting," she said. "I do not know the object of this visit, but whatever it is, that remark must be withdrawn before it can proceed."

"It is the last remark you should desire with