Andy slid down the ladder and squatted himself beside the cot. Young considered the boyish face some time in silence.
"What made you kill Waldstricker?" he demanded.
Andy shook his head.
"I never done it, mister," he denied positively.
"Tell me how it happened! If I'm going to help you, you must tell me the truth."
This wasn't what Young had intended to say at all.
"Andy ain't a liar," came from Tess.
"Tell me every word," urged Young.
The dwarf curled himself into a little ball and began.
"Well, us was all in a saloon at the Inlet, an' old Waldstricker, he come in with a nuther man, an' they both got a drink an' t'uther man went out. Me an' Owen Bennet were settin' at the table, ... Waldstricker he says somethin' nasty 'bout squatters an' ... Owen went fer 'im. Waldstricker pulled 'is gun. I knocked it out o' his hand an' Owen grabbed it up offen the floor an' sent a bullet right through Waldstricker's heart. Then us uns beat it, I mean me an' Owen, an' when they caught us ... he put the shootin' on me. I didn't do it, an' Owen knows I didn't."