A knock sounded on the door. He opened it, and a woman entered. The priest knew her well, by sight, and wondered, for she was Slevski's wife. She was not of these people by race, nor of his own. She was English-speaking and did not come to church. Slevski had married her three years before in Pittsburgh. She looked frightened as he waited for her to speak.
"Tell me," she began very rapidly, is it true that no single word of a confession may ever be revealed by the priest?"
"Even if he were to die for it?" she urged.
The priest's eyes wore a puzzled expression, but she went on:
"May he even not betray it by an action?"
"Even if he died for it?" Her voice was full of anxiety.
"I wish to confess," she said. "May I do it, here? I will kneel afterward, if necessary, but I can tell it better here--and I must do it quickly."
"It will take only a minute if we go to the church," he answered. "It is irregular to hear your confession outside of the proper place, unless in case of illness."
They entered the church, and she knelt on the penitent's side of the confessional. Later she told all that had happened.
"What troubles you?" asked the priest. "Have you been to confession of late?"
"Three years ago," and she shuddered, "I was to confession. It was before I married him, never since. Yes, yes, I ought to be known to you. Listen now, for there isn't very much time." He bent his head and said: "I am listening."
She went on without taking breath. "They are going to murder you. I heard it, for I was in the secret. I consented to summon you, but I could not. They charged that you were in the company's pay and working against the men. One of them will come to-night and ask you to go on a sick-call. They intend to shoot you at the bridge over Mud Run. I had to warn you to prepare. I could not see you killed without--without a prayer. It is too cruel. Do what you can for yourself. That's all I can say."
"It is very simple," said the priest. "I need not go."
"Then they will know that I told you," she answered breathlessly. Her eyes showed her fright.
"You are right," said the priest. "I fear that it would violate the Seal if I refused to go."
"Yes," she said, "and he would know at once that I had told, and he--he suspects me already. He may have followed me, for I refused to call you. If he knows I am here he will be sure I confessed to you. I am not ready to die--and he would kill me."