"I have told them I did it! I have told them all," said she, "but they won't believe me--they won't believe me! _You_ must tell them." "I will die before I will tell them," said Burr Gordon.
Madelon looked at his white face, which was set against hers like a rock; then she gave a great cry and fell down on her knees before him.

"Tell them," she moaned, "or they will hang you--they will hang you, Burr!" "Let them hang me, then!" "Tell them; they won't believe me!" Burr caught hold of her two arms and raised her to her feet.

"See here, Madelon," said he, "don't you know--" She looked at him dumbly.
"Don't you know--I would not tell them if they would, but--I might tell them until I was gray, and they would not believe me!" Madelon cried out sharply, as if she in her turn had been struck to the heart.
"It is true," Burr said, quietly.
"Then if he dies without telling, there is no way of--saving you--" Burr shook his head.
"The knife--how--came your knife there instead of Richard's ?" Burr smiled.
Bluish shadows came around Madelon's dark eyes and her mouth.

She gasped for breath as she spoke.

"I--have--killed you, then," said she.