"You misunderstood my meaning entirely, Perry. Iris was determined on quarreling with me over an unimportant matter. You know she's terribly jealous, and she worked herself up into a fainting fit."
Perry Jounce accepted the explanation with a growl. He did not attempt to push matters to a crisis. He had received some money from Barkswell, and was anxious to keep in with that gentleman.
"Lead the way, pardner, and I'll take her to the house."
Perry Jounce lifted the seemingly lifeless form of his sister in his arms and strode from the summer-house.
Barkswell led the way to the cottage, and a little later the woman revived. When questioned by Jounce she refused to make any explanation.
"Confound it," growled the tramp, "that man of yours'll kill you some time, Iris, and you'll let 'im do it 'ithout making complaint."
"I should not care to see Andrew in prison."
"He may go thar yet."
"Anything new?"
"Somebody's got ter swing fer the crime at Ridgewood; why mayn't it be
Andy?"