She implored him not to proceed any further against the man, and declared
she should fly the country rather than go into a court of law as witness
against him.
"Humph!" said the Colonel; "but you are the only witness."
"All the better for him," said she; "then he will die in peace. My tongue
has killed the man once; it shall never kill him again."
About six next morning Monckton beckoned Lucy. She came eagerly to him;
he whispered to her, "Can you keep a secret?"
"You know I can," said she.
"Then never let any one know I have spoken."
"No, dear, never. Why?"
"I dread the law more than death;" and he shuddered all over. "Save me
from the law."
"Leonard, I will," said she. "Leave that to me."
She wired for Mr. Middleton as soon as possible.
The next day there was no change in the patient. He never spoke to
anybody, except a word or two to Lucy, in a whisper, when they were
quite alone.
In the afternoon down came Lawyer Middleton. Lucy told him what he knew,
but Monckton would not speak, even to him.
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