“He’s dead,” said Joe weakly, “and I was going after the doctor.”
“Stone dead,” said Greening, bending over the body; “they ain’t a puff of breath left in him. The doctor couldn’t do him no good, Joe, but I reckon––”
Greening straightened up and faced Joe, sternly.
“Where’s Missis Chase?” he asked.
“Upstairs,” said Joe, pointing.
“Does she know? Who was here when it happened?”
“Isom and I,” said Joe.
“God A’mighty!” said Greening, looking at Joe fearfully, “just you and him?”
“We were alone,” said Joe, meeting Greening’s eyes unfalteringly. “We had some words, and Isom lost his temper. 118 He jumped for the gun and I tried to stop him, but he jerked it by the barrel and the hammer caught.”
“Broke his neck,” said Greening, mouth and eyes wide open; “broke it clean! Where’d that money come from?”