“Um!... I think I comprehend,” said Evan, slowly. “I—In fact, I am sure I comprehend.... Sheriff Jenney did not originate this plan, I am sure.... Nor yourself. It required a certain modicum of intelligence.”
“’Tain’t no matter who thought it up—it’s thought,” said Peewee, “and when the town of Gibeon comes to know all the facts—why, I don’t figger you two’ll be in a position to do nobody much harm.... Folks hain’t apt to believe you like you was the Bible. Kind of hidebound, them Gibeon people. Sh’u’dn’t be s’prised if they give you a ride out of town on a rail.”
“Nobody would believe it. We would tell everyone how we came to be here.” This from Carmel.
“We’re willin’ to take that chance,” grinned Peewee. “Seems like a certain party’s got a grudge ag’in’ you, miss, and he allus pays off his grudges.”
“As he paid off Sheriff Churchill,” said Carmel.
“Killin’,” said Peewee, sententiously, “is quick. This here’ll last you a lifetime. You’ll allus be knowed as the gal that was arrested with a man in the Lakeside Hotel....”
He turned on his heel and walked to the door; there he paused to grin at them maliciously before he disappeared, locking the door after him with elaborate care.
“They—nobody would believe,” said Carmel.
“I am afraid, indeed, I may say I am certain, everybody would believe,” said Evan. “I have seen the reactions of Gibeon to affairs of this sort. Gibeon loves to believe the worst.”
“Then——”