nd I saw Mr. Sydney Vane separate himself from the other
gentlemen and walk into the plantation. I did not like to go back just
then; and so I waited. There was two or three ways of getting into the
fir plantation, so I don't know who came into it across the fields, as
anybody might have done either from the village or from the Hall. But
presently I heard the report of a gun--two reports, as far as I
remember; and then I saw Miss Lepel flying along the road--and I knew
that she'd been in the plantation, any way. So, after watching a little
while longer, I went back to the wood; and I found my gun pretty near
where I had left it--only it had been moved and fired. So I took it up
and walked away home."

"Without stopping to see whether any one was hurt?"

"Yes, my girl--and that was my mistake. If I'd gone on and found Mr.
Vane and given the alarm and all that, I dare say I should have got off.
But that was my misfortune, and also my hatred to Mr. Vane and his
wicked ways. I says to myself, 'This is no business of yours. Let them
settle it between themselves. I'll not interfere.' So I sort of hardened
my heart and went on my way."

"Father, perhaps you might have saved a life!"

"No," said Westwood calmly, "I couldn't have done that. He was shot
clean through the heart. And I'm not sure that I would if I could. He
was a bad man, and deserved his punishment. The only thing I can't
understand is why the man as did it hadn't the pluck to say what he had
done, instead of leaving a poor common man like me to bear the blame."

"Did you not tell all this to the jury and the counsel?"

"Yes, my dear, I did--every word. But who was there to believe me? It
didn't sound likely, you know. And who else was there, as the lawyers
said, that had reason to hate Mr. Vane? Why, if they'd known all I knew,
they would have seen that every honest man would have hated him! But, by
never telling what I knew previous about Miss Lepel, I didn't put 'em on
the right track, you see. I own that now."

"Father, I see to whom your suspicions point--you said as much to me
before. But I feel sure that Mr. Hubert Lepel is incapable of such a
deed--not only of the murder--for which one could forgive him--but of
letting another bear the blame."

"Well, perhaps so, Cynthy. I don't think you would ha' given your heart
to an out-an-out scoundrel--I don't indeed. And Mr. Lepel has a good
sort o' face. I've seen him, and I like him. He looks as if he'd h