“Ye-e-s.”
“When?” demanded the sheriff. “Don’t lie!”
“This––this morning,” stammered the boy.
“Where? Tell me about it, quick.”
“Two men ran across from the timber to the house,” replied the boy. “He––he said not to lie for him––but–––”
The sheriff stepped quickly to the kitchen door. “I thought you said no one had been around here, ma’am.”
“Why––I didn’t see any one,” came the girl’s voice.
“I saw ’em from the pasture,” the boy confessed.
“Then they’re here!” cried the sheriff. “Search the house an’ the barn!”
In the dim, narrow cellar Rathburn was holding his gun aimed at Lamy’s heart.