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“Keep your mouth shut!” Sir Melrose turned to Mrs Dunwoody “This is your fault If you’d just given me the journal as I asked” He raised his arm as if ready to strike the woman

The Scot stepped forward Lucius did, too

Everything happened quickly then

“God, I’ed, threw his bound hands over Warner’s head and yanked the rope against the man’s windpipe “Confess to the murder of Mr Cribb”

Warner choked and spluttered His face turned beetroot red as he struggled to breathe He thule free

Lucius gritted his teeth “I warned you I’d take your last breath Now bloody confess”

Warner stabbed his finger at Sir Melrose and croaked, “He k-killed Cribb”

“Liar!” Sir Melrose cried “Warner killed Cribb, and the runner who lived on Stangate Street”

Lucius choked Warner again, ht of Alcock, who appeared as excited as if she atching acrobats and tightrope walkers at Astley’s Amphitheatre

Warner’s knees buckled He batted Lucius’ hands, begging to speak “I’ll confess—” He gasped for breath as Lucius released his grip “I—I killed Proctor … but … only because he knew about the Garrett, knew Melrose and I were … were—” Warner pointed to his lover “He killed Cribb”

“Silence, buffoon!” Sir Melrose’s g

aze shifted to the path

Mr Trent and Mr Cavanagh moved to block all means of escape

“Which one of you devils killed my father?” Sybil choked back a sob She didn’t want to think that one of these vile men had entered her house while she slept Had ood deeds

Both men looked blank when she repeated the question