“‘But I am not mistaken,’ persisted Holcomb. ‘You must be bewitched! I don’t understand.’
“‘Well, don’t try to, old man. I’d do anything for you—you know, but I can’t do this.’
“‘I don’t want you to do anything for me!’ interrupted Holcomb, indignantly. ‘I only want you to enforce the law as you find it, and not——’
“He paused, feeling that he might say too much.
“‘You’ll have to excuse me,’ murmured the Sheriff, impatiently, ‘I’d do anything to oblige, but really, this time——’
“Holcomb gazed at the man in silence for a moment—nodding his head in comprehending pity and contempt, and left the room without another word.”
—“When did you say your friend dreamed all this rot?”
It was Hartruff who roughly interrupted the story.
At the sound of his voice Norris turned his gaze toward the window, and continued looking out of it while he answered slowly: