“I wanted to prepare you for a surprise before you went into the house,” said the convict.
“Why, what do you mean?” asked Ralph.
“I mean Farrington!” cried the convict. “He is there.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed Ralph.
“No, it is true.”
“How did he happen to come here?”
“A man driving a covered wagon brought him. Farrington was sick, dying. The other man carried him into the house and said he would hurry for a doctor.”
“When was this?” asked Ralph.
“Two hours ago. I have not shown myself to Farrington yet. The man is certainly in a dying condition.”
“I had better investigate affairs,” said Ralph, and he proceeded to the house.