“Eleven hundred, yes,” breathed the woman, faintly, her eyes horror-filled and fearful as she gazed upon Billy's face. She didn't care for the money any more—they could have it all if they would only let her live.
Billy turned toward her and held the rumpled green mass out.
“Here,” he said; “but that's an awful lot o' coin for a woman to have about de house—an' her all alone. You ought not to a-done it.”
She took the money in trembling fingers. It seemed incredible that the man was returning it to her.
“But I knew it,” she said finally.
“Knew what?” asked Billy.
“I knew you was a good boy. They said you was a murderer.”
Billy's brows contracted, and an expression of pain crossed his face.
“How did they come to say that?” he asked.
“I heard them telephonin' to Kansas City to the police,” she replied, and then she sat bolt upright. “The detectives are on their way here now,” she almost screamed, “and even if you ARE a murderer I don't care. I won't stand by and see 'em get you after what you have done for me. I don't believe you're a murderer anyhow. You're a good boy. My boy would be about as old and as big as you by now—if he lives. He ran away a long time ago—maybe you've met him. His name's Eddie—Eddie Shorter. I ain't heard from him fer years.