HUN-TWELVE

"What can that signify?" she said. "Oh, it will not do, cousin! Captain Richard is a man of honor, incapable of such business!"

"Money can drive a man to measures more desperate than you have any notion of", he said, a hard note in his voice. "Clements has made attempt after attempt on Parte's life. You know it to be true!" 

"No", she said faintly, "I do not know it to be true. I cannot think - my head feels empty! I must wait until I have seen Parte. How far do we have to travel?" 

"You would not know the place. It is some miles west of Cockfield. I was led to it by a series of circumstances - but I will not weary you with all the miserable details".

She did not speak, her senses were almost overpowered, she could only lean back in her corner, trying to conjure up every recollection that should prove or disprove his accusations. He looked at her compassionately, but seemed to understand her need of silence. Once he said, as though impelled, "if I could