She held out her hand for the letter, but as he gave it both she and he perceived for the first time that it was stained with blood; they felt mutually the thrill that the sight gave.
He put his hand out suddenly and pushed her within the room.

"Go," he entreated, "for God's sake, Susy, go to your own room; take his letter with you if you will, but go." Susannah went amazed, but she began to think that Ephraim's distress had not been a gracious sorrow, but remorse for his own crime.

He must have shot Halsey as he would have shot at some evil beast.

When she had time to remember that Halsey had tottered when he walked, she fled back, straining the blood-stained letter to her breast, and tore open the closed door.

Her aunt was sitting in a low chair sobbing.