“Yes—they went to pick him up.”
The farmer sat with his elbows on his knees, staring open-mouthed at Nick.
“That’s awful, ain’t it?” he whispered.
“It is,” said Nick, “and there’s something else that is still more awful.”
He paused, but Low said nothing.
“It is perfectly well known,” Nick added, “that you started up to Judson’s room just before the deed.”
Low became very attentive, but it was plain that the truth was not dawning on him yet.
“And that you came down again in a hurry,” added the detective, “immediately afterward. It is also well known that you threatened Mr. Judson——”
This was enough, and the light burst upon the honest farmer suddenly. In the moonlight his face was ghastly white, and his voice almost choked, as he said:
“Mr. Nicholas, you don’t mean to set thar an’ tell me thar’s folks as say I done it?”