This I knew when I sat upon the bench at his trial; and now you
shall know it too. Come! I have something to show you."
He turned towards the door and mechanically she followed. Her
thoughts were all in a whirl. She did not know what to make of him
or of herself. The rooted dread of weeks was stirring in its soil.
This suggestion of the transference of the stick from hand to hand
was not impossible. Only Scoville had sworn to her, and that, too,
upon their child's head, that he had not struck this blow. And she
had believed him after finding the cap; AND SHE BELIEVED HIM NOW.
Yes, against her will, she believed him now. Why? and again, why?
They had crossed the hall and he was taking the turn to his room.
"Enter," said he, lifting the curtain.
Involuntarily she recoiled. Not from him, but from the revelation
she felt to be awaiting her in this place of unguessed mystery.
Looking back into the space behind her, she caught a fleeting
glimpse of Reuther hovering on a distant threshold. Leaving the
judge, without even a murmured word of apology, she ran to the
child, embraced her, and promised to join her soon; and then,
satisfied with the comfort thus gained, she returned quickly to
where the judge still awaited her, with his hand on the curtain.
"Forgive me," said she; and meeting with no reply, stood trembling
while he unlocked the door and ushered her in.
A new leaf in the history of this old crime was about to be
turned.
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