Would you like to hear them?"
"I have told you already," said the woman, vainly trying to suppress
the image of her sister engulfed in flames. "I have told you that my
niece is not here, that she left me a week ago. Your son himself can
attest to that..... I do not know where she is."
"That is the second time today you have referred me to my son. The
truth is, dead woman
, that I have no strong inclination to believe him. I don't know what
it is about the MacCain girl that causes those around her to feel so
protective---the illusion of innocence, no doubt---but it seems I must
accept the fact. My own son has lied to me about the `cousin' who
saved her from assault, neglecting to mention that the man was also a
Jacobite, and one of the fugitives we sought. Fortunately, as you saw,
I take nothing for granted. I found it out for myself, and now have
the evidence I need to hang her, if I so desire."
"On what charge?"
"Harboring a fugitive!" he bellowed. "And conspiracy to murder
soldiers of the crown! One of my men was killed in this alleged
`assault', and another has disappeared entirely.
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