Ralph turned about and looked wistfully into the old man's face. For an instant his purpose wavered.
“For the love of God,” cried the sheriff, “for your own life's sake, for this poor man's sake, by all that is near and dear to both, I charge you, if you are an innocent man, give me the means to prove you such.”
But again Ralph shook his head.
“Then you are resolved to die?”
“Yes! But for my old friend here—save him if you will and can.”
“You will give me no word as to the warrant?”
“None.”
“Then all is over.”
But going at once to the stables in the courtyard, he called to a stableman,—
“Saddle a horse and bring it round to my quarters in half an hour.”