Read "The Crimson Cryptogram" by Fergus Hume online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
After Janet had finished her history there ensued a short silence. Ellis was lost in admiration at the wonderful pluck and resolution of the girl, which had enabled her to face and carry through a difficult matter for the sake of her weaker sister. Now that the worst was over -- since she had rescued Laura Moxton from the ordeal of a public accusation -- Janet seemed to be in danger of breaking down. After the tension of nerve and will came the inevitable relaxation. The impulse of Ellis was to take her in his arms, and comfort her with assurances of love and protection. But the time was not yet ripe for him to speak of his personal feelings. There was much to do, much to be learnt, before the crooked could be made straight; therefore Ellis, sacrificing self, began to question Janet on points which did not seem quite clear to him. At his first remark she braced herself and gave him immediate attention.
"If you thought that your sister had killed Moxton, why did you not hide the carving-knife?"