“No,” said Laura firmly; “you may be going to prison.”
He put out one hand in protest.
Turning again to the sheriff she said:
“Roger did go to town last night, intending to give himself up. I knew he was going to do it by the way he looked at me. But to-day he saw me with Mr. Doane, and maybe he’s heard things for which there was no warrant. Anyway, I know he thought I––I––was in love with Fred.”
“Laura––please!” Rathburn pleaded.
“And to-night,” said the girl in triumph, “he heard Fred was cashier of the bank he’d robbed, and he brought the money back because he thought the robbery would hurt Fred and in that way hurt me!”
Rathburn turned appealingly to the sheriff. “Let’s go,” he urged.
“He robbed that bank because he thought I had betrayed his trust, Sheriff Long!” cried Laura, her eyes shining.
“Are we going, Long?” cried Rathburn in an agony.
The sheriff stepped to the door and called to some of his men who entered and bore the bodies of Doane and Eagen out of the sitting room. Then he took the money sack from the table and indicated to Rathburn to follow him, as he went out of the 249 door. Rathburn went after him quickly, and the girl ran to the porch. Rathburn drew back with a cry, as he reached the porch. Just beyond the steps a horse was lying on its side.