“Yes.”
The farmer shook from head to toes. He laid his trembling hands on Nick’s arm, and began:
“Mr. Carter, I’ve hearn tell of you, that you’re keen and hard when it comes to criminals, but you’re straight with innocent men. I swear——”
“You don’t need to,” interrupted Nick; “you are as innocent as I am, and I know it. I believed it when I started out to see you, but I am going to arrest you for murder, nevertheless.”
“Mr. Carter! I don’t understand! What will my poor wife say?”
“You needn’t let her know. I want you to understand, though. Suspicion has been put on you by an enemy of yours. Now, if I lock you up over night, it will make this enemy believe that I have finished my work. See?”
“You want to blind him?”
“Yes. Then I can hunt for the real murderer in my own way.”
“All right, Mr. Carter.”