But it was whiskey! I
took money that didn't belong to me--yours and Christine's, and
Grand's, and Jenison's. I did worse than that, Mary. I sold you out to
Bob Grand--you knew that, too. But I'm going to try to pay up all my
debts--all of 'em, in a day or two. I owe you my ugly, worthless life.
I'm going to pay you in full by ending it. I owe Colonel Grand for
everything I was, for what I am. I'm going to pay him, so help me God.
Don't interrupt! My mind's made up. Nothing above hell can change it.
I came here to ask you just two questions. I want you to answer them.
I'm going to believe you. You never lie, I know that."
"I will answer them, Tom."
He hesitated, his gaze wavering for the first time. "I--I hate to ask
you this first one, Mary," he said.
"Go on. Ask it."
"It's a mean question, but I've just _got_ to hear you say no. Did you
go to England with Bob Grand?"
"No."
He breathed deeply. "That's one," he said.
"Here's the other. Did he give you money to live on, to educate
Christine with, abroad?"
"No.",
"I'll ask still another. Where did you get the money?"
"Some of it from my father.
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