"But I heard her scream murder."
The eyes of Perry Jounce pierced the guilty villain to the quick. If there was one being in the wide world whom the miserable tramp loved, that person was his sister, the wife of Andrew Barkswell, and the only kin he had in the wide world.
"She was in one of her tantrums, that is all."
"Man, I believe you're lyin' now."
"Be careful."
Barkswell drew his revolver.
The threat did not appear to affect Perry Jounce.
"It wouldn't be good fur you ter snap that pistol at me, Andy. I jest heard you say't mebbe you had killed her, meanin' Iris. Now what hev you ben up to?—let's hear right down quick, or thar'll be a tussle right hyar and now."
There was a determined ring in the man's voice not to be mistaken.
Barkswell wished to avoid a quarrel, and so he said with a smile: