'Ha!' said the Doctor, with a start.

Instead of answering, Leonard leant down on the narrow bed on which
he was seated, and shut in his face between his hands.

The Doctor waited, guessed, and grew impatient. 'You don't mean that
fellow, Sam? Do you think he has it? I should like to throttle him,
as sure as my name's Dick May!' (this in soliloquy between his
teeth). 'Speak up, Leonard, if you have any suspicion.'

The lad lifted himself with grave resolution that gave him dignity.
'Dr. May,' he said, 'I know that what I say is safe with you, and it
seems disrespectful to ask your word and honour beforehand, but I
think it will be better for us both if you will give them not to make
use of what I tell you. It weighs on me so, that I shall be saying
it to the wrong person, unless I have it out with you. You promise
me?'

'To make no use of it without your consent,' repeated the Doctor,
with rising hope, 'but this is no case for scruples--too much is at
stake.'

'You need not tell me that,' Leonard replied, with a shudder; 'but I
have no proof. I have thought again and again and again, but can
find no possible witness. He was always cautious, and drink made him
savage, but not noisy.'

'Then you believe--' The silence told the rest.

'If I did not see how easy people find it to believe the same of me