"I see I had my
share in it, and I as well as you have to make reparation. Man alive!
You are my brother," he cried with an outburst of feeling. "The nearest
thing in the world to me. Do you think I could rest happy with the
knowledge that a murderous devil is always in your heart, and that it's
in my power to--to exorcise it? Do you think the cost matters? Come.
Shall we make this bargain? Yes or no?"
"It's easy for you to promise," said Dick. "But when I am gone, how can
you resist?"
Austin hesitated for a moment, biting his lips. Then, with the air of a
man who makes an irrevocable step in life, he crossed the room and
rang the bell.
"Ask Mrs. Holroyd if she will have the kindness to come here for a
minute," he said to the servant.
Dick regarded him wonderingly. "What has Mrs. Holroyd to do with our
affairs?"
"You'll see," said Austin, and there was silence between them till
Katherine came.
She looked from one joyless face to the other, and sat without a word
on the chair that Austin placed for her.
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