"It is no use your saying anything against Anne.
She is innocent."
"Mr. Ware, I believed that when she first came to me.
I hate my brother because he is a bad man; but I liked his niece, and when she came to me for shelter I took her in, notwithstanding the enormity of the crime which she was accused of having committed."
"It gained you your fortune," said Ware bitterly.
"I would rather have been without a fortune gained at such a price," answered Franklin coldly; "but I really believed Anne guiltless.
She defended her father, but I fancied, since she had helped him to escape, that he had killed the poor girl."
"And he did," cried Giles. "I am sure he did."
"He had no motive."
"Oh yes, to get the money—the five thousand a year."
"You forget. By Miss Kent's death that came to me."
"Your brother would have found means to get it.
I believe he will find means yet."
"I don't understand you.
Will you explain?"
Franklin seemed fairly puzzled by Giles' remarks, so the young man set forth the theory he had formed about the murder.
At first Mr. Franklin smiled satirically; but after a time his face became grave, and he seemed agitated.
When Giles ended he walked the room in a state of subdued irritation.
"What have I done to be so troubled with such a relative as Walter?" he said aloud. "I believe you are right, Mr. Ware.
He may attempt my life to get the money; and as we are rather like one another in appearance he may be able to pass himself off as me.
Why, there was a woman here who called herself Mrs. Benker.
She insisted that I was called Wilson, under which name she knew my brother Walter.
So you must see how easily he could impose on every one.
I am dark and clean-shaven; he is red-haired and bearded. But a razor and a pot of black dye would soon put that to rights.
Yes, he might attempt my murder.
But do not let us saddle him with a crime of which he is guiltless.
Anne killed the girl.
I assure you this is the truth."
"I don't believe it," cried Giles fiercely.
"Nevertheless"—Franklin paused and then came forward swiftly to place a sympathetic hand on the young man's shoulder—"I heard her say so myself.
She confessed to me that she had met you, and seemed much agitated.
Then she ran out of this room to another.
Fearing she was ill, I followed, and found her on her knees praying.
She said aloud that she had deceived you, stating that she could not bear to lose your love by proclaiming herself a murderess."
"No, no; I won't listen." Giles closed his ears.
"Be a man, Mr. Ware.
Anne is ill now.
She confessed the truth to me, and then fled to her bedroom.
This morning she was very ill, as my daughter Portia assured me.
Portia is out of the house.
If you will come with me, you will hear the truth from Anne herself.
She is so ill that she will not try to deceive you now.
But if she does confess, you must promise not to give her up to the police.
She is suffering agonies, poor child!"
"I'll come at once," said Giles bravely, starting to his feet. And it was brave of him, for he dreaded the truth. "If she confesses this, I'll go away and never see her again.
The police—ah, you needn't think I would give her up to the police.
But if she is guilty (and I can't believe such a thing of her) I'll tear her out of my heart.
But it's impossible, impossible!"
Franklin looked at him with a pitying smile as he hid his face in his hands.
Then he touched him on the shoulder and led the way along a passage towards the back part of the house.