"It's a rotten world, Dick—a rotten, rotten world!" he said. "I know you're all right; I know you mean what you say; but ain't it a shame that when a man's down our first thought is to kick him? Always expect him to fall again once he gets up! Ain't it rotten?"
And his love for Young VB, stirred anew by this sense of the injustice of things, welled into his throat, driving back more words.
Dick Worth was a man of golden integrity; Jed knew well that no suspicion would be cast on VB. But the knowledge that serious-minded, clear-thinking men like the deputy would always remember, in a time like this, that those who had once run wild might fall into the old ways at any hour, stung him like a lash.
VB opened the door.
"Hello, Dick!" he greeted cheerily. "Want me?"
Worth laughed and Jed started.
"No; I come up to get a little help from you if I can, though."
"Help?"
"Kelly was shot dead in his bed last night."
For a moment VB stared at him.