Then he spoke with some deliberation.
"It is possible I shall kill you to-night, so speak truly to me in the name of God and of the Holy Virgin.

I ask you of my children.

My girl is eleven years old.

Have you protected her?
Or is she--like you ?" She threw off her shawl, pulled up her sleeves.
"See," she cried, "my back is like that.

Your daughter is safe." Livid bars of purple striped her arms.