“There was silence for a moment, and then the daughter spoke in a calm clear

voice.

 

“‘No good can ever come of falsehood, mother,’ she said. ‘Let us be frank with

this gentleman. We _did_ see Mr. Drebber again.’

 

“‘God forgive you!’ cried Madame Charpentier, throwing up her hands and sinking

back in her chair. ‘You have murdered your brother.’

 

“‘Arthur would rather that we spoke the truth,’ the girl answered firmly.

 

“‘You had best tell me all about it now,’ I said. ‘Half-confidences are worse

than none. Besides, you do not know how much we know of it.’

 

“‘On your head be it, Alice!’ cried her mother; and then, turning to me, ‘I will

tell you all, sir. Do not imagine that my agitation on behalf of my son arises

from any fear lest he should have had a hand in this terrible affair. He is

utterly innocent of it. My dread is, however, that in your eyes and in the eyes

of others he may appear to be compromised. That however is surely impossible.

His high character, his profession, his antecedents would all forbid it.’

 

“‘Your best way is to make a clean breast of the facts,’ I answered. ‘Depend

upon it, if your son is innocent he will be none the worse.’