The Dago Duke looked reflectively at the end of his cigarette.
"It seems as though that little girl's fate depends upon this woman."
"You say they are urging you to arrest her?"
The sheriff's face darkened.
"Oh, yes, they've got it all cut and dried just how it happened. They make me think of a pack of wolves that's got a weak one down; he's outnumbered and can't fight back, so jump him! tear him! They're roarin' at me to 'do somethin'—Tinhorn Frank, Symes, Parrott, the whole outfit of 'em. Say, Dago, I wasn't raised to fight women."
"Does your chivalry extend to the lady doc?"
"No, by gum! it don't," replied the sheriff, with a promptness which made the other laugh. "If I knew any way short of choking her to get the truth I'd do it."
"You mean to try?"
"To choke her?"
"To get the truth."