When that man came to tell Morley about the death of Powell he knew that Daisy would leave the house and marry you as soon as she got the fortune.
He tried to induce Denham when he was in the library to kill Daisy, and took down the stiletto for that purpose.
Denham refused.
Then there was a man called Dane, who came with a message.
Morley asked him likewise to kill the girl, and was likewise refused.
He saw there was nothing for it but to murder Daisy himself.
In a day or so it would have been too late, as she would hear about the money and leave the house.
Morley took the stiletto and went to the church in the hope of killing her when she came out and was amidst the crowd of people.
He hoped to escape unobserved."
"A rash idea!" observed Giles.
"Oh, its safety lay in its rashness," said the widow coldly. "Well, it happened that Denham lured Daisy out of the church and did not follow for some time.
Morley looking at the door saw her come out.
She waited for a moment and then walked to her father's grave.
Morley followed and killed her by stabbing her in the back as she knelt in the snow by the grave.
She fell forward with a cry.
He would have repeated the blow but that he saw Denham coming. He fled back to the house.
I was in the library when he arrived.
He made some excuse, and I never thought anything was wrong."
"Had he the stiletto with him?"
"I believe he had, but I did not see it.
Afterwards he took the stiletto back to the churchyard and pretended to find it, so that Anne might be accused.
Denham never suspected Morley of the crime.
Why, I don't know, as any one who knew what I have told you about his offers to Denham and Dane must have guessed that Morley was guilty."
"How did you learn all this?" asked Giles, glancing at the confession which was in Morley's own handwriting.
"At various times.
I did not suspect him at first.
But one thing led to another and I watched him.
I got at his papers and discovered all about the Scarlet Cross, and——"
"Wait, Mrs. Morley—I mean Warton.
Did Morley write that anonymous letter which accused Anne?"
"Yes.
He did so, in case it was necessary to kill Daisy.
He hoped by hinting beforehand that Anne would be accused.
It was Anne's foolish speech to Daisy, saying she would kill her, that gave him the idea.
But she meant nothing by it.
It was only a few hot words.
However, Morley used them to his own end. Well, Mr. Ware, I found out about the thieving gang, and then learned for the first time the kind of man I had married.
My love died out of my heart at once.
I took to thinking how I could get away from him.
He used to mutter in his sleep, having an uneasy conscience."
"I should think he was too strong a man to have a conscience."
"Well, he muttered in his sleep at all events.
From what he said I discovered that he had something to do with the death of Daisy.
I accused him, and told him that I knew all about his Scarlet Cross wickedness.
He denied the truth of this at first.
Afterwards, little by little, I got the truth out of him.
I then made him write out that confession and sign it, so that I could save Anne should she be caught.
I promised for the sake of my own name and my children not to use the confession unless Anne was taken.
That is why Morley ran away with Anne.
He fancied that she would continue to bear the blame, and also"—here Mrs. Wharton hesitated and glanced at Giles—"I fancy that Oliver was in love with Miss Denham."