Paul, too, sat motionless, and neither Jane nor Barney Bill spoke.

Presently Silas Finn continued: "For many years I tried to find my wife and son--but it was not God's will.

I have lived with the stain of murder on my soul"-- his voice sank--"and it has never been washed away.

Perhaps it will be in God's good time....

And I had condemned my son to a horrible existence--for I knew my wife was not capable of bringing you up in the way of clean living.