“I am.”
“Where is Malone?”
“I never saw him after I left the building.”
“He cannot escape; the cavalry are after him, and he will be brought in soon, dead or alive.”
“Why did you attempt to bribe Barnes?”
“It was his own offer. I knew that his cupidity was great, and thought it no harm to accept his offer. If Barnes had his deserts, he would now be hard at work in the penitentiary.”
“Did the jury that tried him, acquit him?”
“No. The secession of Mississippi saved him. I refer you to Colonel Tison, who is in Tupelo, for the particulars. He being marshal of North Mississippi, arrested Barnes, and knows all about it. He found on his person the evidence of his guilt, the money and checks stolen when he robbed the mail.”
“Parson, you will not be immediately executed, but you will, without doubt, hang in a week or two, so that, if you have any word to send your family, you have permission to do so.”
“May I write a letter to my wife?”