The prisoner fell back and the world swam round him. Then his wife’s small hand came into his.
“Be a man, Dan. Swear afore God you didn’t do it; an’ to God leave the rest,” she said loud and clear so that all heard her.
“Afore God, an’ humans, an’ angels, I be innocent of this,” said Daniel. “Never in all my life have I lifted a hand against any fellow-creature—except Saul Pratt when he insulted me in the street. Who brings this against me? Who charges me?”
The facts were briefly stated—not by the police, but by Daniel’s friend, Titus Sim. He broke through the crowd and spoke in the other’s ear.
“Listen to me, Dan. ’Tis life or death for ’e. Who had your gun last night? All hinges on that. At dawn yesterday I was called up by Mr Henry, and only then did I know what had falled out. He told me of the raid and ordered me to come down straight into the woods an’ search the ground to find any mark or trace of the murderer. For murder it was, because at cock-light came the news from Moreton Hospital that Thorpe was dead. We went—him and me alone—and searched the ground foot by foot. Then I found your gun—one barrel empty, t’other loaded. I knew ’twas the new one he had given you, and, in sudden fear, I was just going to try and hide it. But Mr Henry had seen it. He came over and recognised it at once.”
“If it hinges on that, I’m safe,” said Daniel. “’Tis all right, Minnie. I be safe enough! You go to Hangman’s Hut, ’pon Dartymoor, my bold heroes, an’ you’ll find my gun in its case, where I put it last night with my own hands.”
“Won’t do, Daniel,” answered the Inspector. “We had a warrant for search as well as for arrest. I was at Hangman’s Hut at midday with this man here. Us did no harm, I promise you. But we found the gun-case—empty—also a box of cartridges broke open an’ two missing.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to talk later on,” said the big man. “But you’ve got to come along wi’ us to Plymouth now, Daniel Sweetland, so the sooner we start the better. I hope as you’ll prove yourself innocent with all my heart; but that’s your business. Now I must do mine.”
In an instant Dan’s hands were fastened together. Powerful and stout though he was, he found himself a child in the giant’s grasp. Indeed, the young man made no struggle. He felt dazed and believed that from this nightmare he must presently awaken.
The steel clicked over his wrists and his mother screamed. At the same moment Bartley brought up a dog-cart. In it a big, restive horse leapt to be gone.