"I say noting, sah."
"Strange--for you were always garrulous. Where is your amiable smile, Mr. Geary, and your polite manners? I always knew you to be a murderous hound. But you might have spared poor Bellaria."
Geary flung up his hands, and looked greener than ever. "I did not hab noting to do wid dat woman, sah."
"Oh, I think so--stand where you are and keep your hands in front of you," cried Haskins sharply, "or I'll send a bullet through you."
The negro's eyes rolled, and he looked round for assistance. But the population of Denleigh were indoors partaking of the evening meal, and beyond a few children playing far down the stream no one was in sight. "I no kill dat Bellaria," he repeated doggedly, but did not venture to grip his knife. He had experienced the shooting of his opponent before.
"You liar! You came back here, and, after having had your arm bound up, you went to the Pixy's House."
This chance shot of Haskins' hit the mark. "No, sah; no sah," gasped the big man, but his knees knocked together.
"You did," cried Haskins, following up his advantage, "and Major Rebb went also."
"It's one big lie, sah. No! No, doan' shoot, sah," and with a scream he backed into the house to shut the door, but could not because Mrs. Geary, large and massive, blocked the way.
"See here, Geary," said Haskins, lowering the pistol he had raised. "I intend to have you arrested for that assault unless you tell me the truth about this crime. You are guilty."