“He was the only man found in the court-room with the smoking weapon,� said Jacob. “Juniper ran away, and he’s been protecting Juniper,—buying him off from testifying, I reckon.�
“I can’t understand why either he or Juniper was in the court-room,� declared the colonel, frowning.
“Had good reason to be,� replied Jacob tartly, tossing his cigarette over the rail.
“See here, Jacob,� said the colonel solemnly, “I’m an old man and your relation, and I feel free to give you advice. You keep your oar out of it.�
Jacob laughed. “I’ve got to testify,� he drawled.
“Good Lord!� exclaimed the colonel.
Then followed several moments of intense silence.
“Where’s Diana?� asked the young man at last, rising and flipping some ashes off his coat.
“In the flower garden,� replied her father thoughtfully, “she’s seeing to some plants for winter; I reckon she won’t want you around.�
Jacob looked more agreeable. “I think I’ll go all the same,� he said, strolling away.