Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/240

 "Then I may take this visit as evidence that you are satisfied that it had to do with the murder!"

Trafford nodded.

"Why don't you arrest me then?"

"Because I am satisfied you did not murder him, but can tell me who did," Trafford answered.

"A sort of accessory after the fact?" Matthewson demanded.

"No," said Trafford. "I'm inclined to think you never suspected that you knew anything about it or that you could tell me. At the same time, I'm almost certain you saw the murderer and talked with him that night."

Matthewson started at this statement of the matter. He had not the nerve of either his mother or brother, and his power of concealing his emotions was greatly less than that of either. However, he quickly recovered himself.

"I refuse to be put in the position of laying accusations. I've no objection to aid in convicting a criminal, but I don't purpose holding one end of a drag-net, for the mere sake of catching some one who may or may not be guilty."