y, how was I to know? How could you have blamed me?"

"I never. Only I 'lowed--that ef you was to git sent away--fum
Sto'm--mebbe he would lemme have my baby--back agin." Mahaly's voice was
getting very weak. She began fighting the air with her hands.

Kate dipped her handkerchief quickly into a glass of water and laid it
on the woman's face. "No more talking now," she said, and would have
gone for help; but the negress caught at her hand.

"Got--suthin' mo'--to say--fust--" she gasped painfully. "Miss
Kate!--the French doctor didn't--kill him--"

"_What?_"

"I seed. I was--hidin' in de bushes--waitin' to speak to Mr. Bas" (only
an iron effort of will made the words audible), "an' I riz up--out'n de
bushes--when I yeard 'em quar'lin'--and dat skeert de hoss--an' he
ra'red up and threw--Mr. Bas off. De French doctor done flung--a rock,
yes'm--but it ain't--never--teched him--"

"You know this? My God, Mahaly! You _know_ this?"

"Yais'm, kase--it was me--de rock hit--" she turned her cheek, to show
the scar it had left.

"Take that down in writing. Mother!" commanded a tense voice from the
window, where Jemima was leaning in. "You must get it down in writing,
before witnesses! Here!" She jumped into the room, and opened the door,
calling, "Some of you come here, quick! I want witnesses."

"She's dying," muttered Kate, dazed.

"No, she isn't! She sha'n't, before she says that again. Leave her to
me! Now then, Mahaly"--she shook the gasping woman none too gently.
"Come, come! You saw--Speak up! Oh, for God's sake, speak up!"

But Mahaly had said all that she had to say. For a terrible moment the
sound of her losing battle filled the room. Then, of a sudden there was
silence, peace; into which broke presently the mournful, savage note of
negro wailing.

Jemima led her mother in silence out to the carriage. During the drive
home she made only one remark, in a low whisper because of the coachman.

"Do you think the court will accept our word, Mother?"

Kate answered her meaning. "It would do no good. Jacques would say that
the intention was there, whatever the fact. He meant to kill Basil. And
it is too late now. He has paid the penalty."

* * * * *

That night, after Jemima was supposed to be in bed, Kate's door opened,
and a slim little figure stole in, looking very childlike in its
nightgown. But the voice that spoke was not childlike.

"Are you asleep, Mother?"

Kate hel