" Then a sudden suspicion
seized her. "Let me see that letter you were writing."
"Ah, Ettie, I couldn't do that."
Her suspicions became certainties. "It's to another woman," she
cried. "I know it! Why else should you hold it from me? Was it
to your wife that you were writing? How am I to know that you
are not a married man--you, a stranger, that nobody knows?"
"I am not married, Ettie. See now, I swear it! You're the only
one woman on earth to me. By the cross of Christ I swear it!"
He was so white with passionate earnestness that she could not
but believe him.
"Well, then," she cried, "why will you not show me the letter?"
"I'll tell you, acushla," said he. "I'm under oath not to show
it, and just as I wouldn't break my word to you so I would keep
it to those who hold my promise. It's the business of the lodge,
and even to you it's secret. And if I was scared when a hand
fell on me, can't you understand it when it might have been the
hand of a detective?"
She felt that he was telling the truth. He gathered her into his
arms and kissed away her fears and doubts.
"Sit here by me, then.
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