"Never mind that," said Bess drawing back, "we can talk later of such things. But my position is anything but a pleasant one. That little man will make trouble."
"If he does not, his Mexican friend will. They are a proper pair of scamps. However I am equal to both of them. Leave Joyce to me. I know all about him; but about yourself, nothing. Joyce--I take it--accuses you of being near 'The Pines' on the night of the murder."
"And at the hour," said Bess quickly. "This is what I have been trying to make up my mind to tell you all the week. The necessity of doing so has come earlier than I expected, but I shall explain myself now." She came to a stop and looked at him questioningly. "Of course you know I had nothing to do with the crime itself?"
"I am sure of that," said Herrick heartily. "But I think you know who did it. Come now, confess!"
"You are mistaken," cried Bess. "All I know is that Frisco is innocent."
"Have you proof of this?"
"The proof of my own eyes; I saw him at the door of the house when the shots were being fired."
"You heard the shots?"
"Three of them. The fourth I did not hear."
"Humph! About what hour was this?"