I knew if I could keep him here until you came you
would be able to fix it up some way--to prove his innocence. I was so
glad, when I ran upstairs to get some money for him and looked out of
the window. For you were coming. But he wouldn't stay."
Toban dismounted and stood in front of her, his eyes probing into hers.
"I've got evidence that he didn't kill Sharp," he said; "I saw the
whole deal. But I reckon," he added, a subtle gleam in his eyes, "that
it's just as well that he's gone--he was a heap of trouble while he was
here, anyway, wasn't he?"
"No," she said quickly, defiantly; "he--" She broke off and looked at
him with wide eyes. "Oh," she said with a quavering laugh; "you are
poking fun at me. You liked him, too; you told me you did!"
"I reckon I like him," said Toban, his lips grimming; "I like him well
enough not to let him pull his freight on account of the Taggarts.
Why, damn it!" he added explosively; "I was his father's friend, an' I
ain't seein' him lose everything he's got here when he's innocent.
Which way did he go?"
There was a wild hope in her eyes; she was breathing fast. "Oh," she
said; "are you going after him? He went to the Arrow--first. He told
me he was going to kill the Taggarts. Then he is going to get out of
the Territory. Oh, Toban, catch him--please! I--"
Toban laughed.
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