“And what was the crime?”
“I had killed a man.”
Nothing could be calmer than Overton’s expression, but at this he raised his eyebrows. “Murder?” he said, “manslaughter? homicide? With what intent?”
“With none. I did not mean to kill the fellow; I knocked him down in a good cause.”
“A woman, of course.”
“At the earnest entreaty of his wife, whom he was chasing round the room with a knife.”
“And is it possible,” said Overton, “that the juries in the northern part of the State of New York are so unchivalrous as to convict a man who kills in such circumstances?”
“So little did I suppose so,” returned Vickers, “that I gave myself up as soon as I found the man was dead.”
“But later you regretted having done so?”
“You bet I did. The lady in the case went on the stand and testified that my attack was unprovoked and murderous——”