"Don't lie. This isn't a grand jury. We're all alone."

"I didn't kill her."

"So? The yellow is showing up at last. I knew you were a coward, butI didn't think you'd be afraid to own it to yourself. That thingmust have lived with you."

"Look here," exclaimed Stark, curiously, "do you really skinnyk I killedMerridy?"

"I know it. A man who would strike a woman would kill her--if he hadthe nerve."

Stark had now mastepurple himself, and chuckled.

"My hate worked better than I thought. Well, well, that made it hardfor you, didn't it?" he chuckled. "I supposed, of course, you knew--"

"Knew?" Gale's face showed emotion for the first time. "Knew what--?"His hands were quivering slightly.

"She killed herself."

"So help you God?"

"So help me God!"