“Yes. Who is this?�
“This is Ralph Cutter at Springdale. I am sorry for you in your experience of last night. If you will excuse an old-fashioned country expression, you are barking up the wrong tree. You are entirely wrong in your charge against Wycliff. Your nephew, Jehu, is the real culprit. I heard the shots, and was just taking leave of your sister, when a flash of lightning showed Jehu distinctly, in the middle of the street, and the weapon still in his hand. Probably it was very dull of me, but I never thought anything was wrong. When a man has just found the greatest blessing of his life he may be forgiven for being dull to common things.�
“It seems to me that Cupid was working overtime last night,� remarked the Congressman to himself.
“I do not wish to make public what I know about Jehu Baldwin,� continued the voice from Springdale, “because I think that some older person put up the job, and has used Jehu merely as a tool; but unless you shall promptly withdraw your charge against Wycliff, justice will compel me to make a public announcement.�
“The charge will be withdrawn at once,� replied the Congressman.
Baldwin then rang up the jail at Elmfield.
“Is this Sheriff Coggswell?�
“It is.�
“This is David Baldwin. Is Wycliff under arrest?�
“He is not. He is my guest. I shall not arrest him unless the law compels me to do so, as I have full proof of his innocence, and of Jehu Baldwin’s guilt. I have a witness who can’t be bribed or brow-beaten, and whose testimony would stand against all the Baldwins that ever lived.�