He snatched the book from her hands. She shrank from his touch, and
pushed back her chair, standing in an attitude of self-defence--watching
him as one would watch a dangerous creature.
He swiftly read page after page, eager to know the worst. Then he threw
the book upon the table.
"Well?" he said, not lifting his eyes.
"The man was murdered--murdered!" she whispered.
He made no reply.
"You looked on while he was murdered! You looked on consenting! You are
a murderer!"
"I had no share or part in it. I did not know he was being poisoned."
"You knew when I was with you. Oh! the dead man--the murdered man--was
in the house at the very moment! Your hands were red with blood when
you took me away--to get me out of the way--so that I should not
know--" She stopped, she could not go on.
"I did not know, Iris--not with certainty. I thought he was dying when
he came into the house. He did not die; he began to recover. When the
doctor gave him his medicine--after that woman went away--I suspected.
When he died, my suspicions were stronger. I challenged him. He did not
deny it. Believe me, Iris, I neither counselled it nor knew of it."
"You acquiesced in it. You consented. You should have warned the--the
other murderer that you would denounce him if the man died. You took
advantage of it. His death enabled you to carry out your fraud with me
as your accomplice. With ME! I am an accomplice in a murder!"
"No, no, Iris; you knew nothing of it. No one can ever accuse you--"
"You do not understand. It is part of the accusation which I make
against myself."
"As for what this woman writes," her husband went on, "it is true. I
suppose it is useless to deny a single word of it. She was hidden
behind the curtain, then! She heard and saw all! If Vimpany had found
her! He was right. No one so dangerous as a woman. Yes; she has told
you exactly what happened. She suspected all along. We should have sent
her away and changed our plans. This comes of being too clever. Nothing
would do for the doctor but the man's death. I hoped--we both
hoped--that he would die a natural death. He did not. Without a dead
man we were powerless. We had to get a dead man, Iris, I will hide
nothing more from you, whatever happens. I confess everything. I knew
that he was going to die. When he began to get well I was filled with
forebodings, because I knew that he would never be allowed to go away.
How else could we find a dead body? You can't steal a body; you can't
make one up. You must have one for proof of death. I say"--his voice
was harsh and hoarse--"I say that I knew he must die. I saw his death
in the doctor's face. And there was no more money left for a new
experiment if Oxbye should get well and go away. When it came to the
point I was seized with mortal terror. I would have given up
everything--everything--to see the man get up from his bed and go away.
But it was too late. I saw the doctor prepare the final dose, and when
he had it to his lips I saw by his eyes that it was the drink of death.
I have told you all," he concluded.