“Attempted robbery under arms, and assault with intent to kill—it would make an exciting case,” continued Wallace, slowly and clearly. “It would give the smart lawyers a fine chance to show their smartness, some tryin’ to hang you and others tryin’ to save your neck—but the smartest lawyers in the province couldn’t save you from five years in pen. The liquor case won’t be near so exciting. We’ve got you so cold there the lawyers wouldn’t find anything to argue about.”
Watt continued to lie with his eyes tight shut, breathing heavily.
“I guess I’d have to make a charge against him for the assault and all, and for firing two shots at my ribs, wouldn’t I?” said Young Dan, in an unsteady voice. He felt unsteady. The sight of the big man’s fear and despair shook him strangely.
The storekeeper opened his eyes.
“Ain’t you made the charge agin me?” he cried. “Then don’t do it! Gimme a chance! I was scart crazy. All I meant to do was to stop you an’ talk you round. The gun kinder went off by accident. I swear it!”
The deputy-sheriff sighed and lit a cigar.
“How much did you get for that skin that you bought from Jim Conley?” asked Young Dan.
“That skin?—why, I ain’t sold it yet,” answered Watt, thinking hard and speaking slowly and uncertainly.
“In that case, I’ll take a look at it and value it,” said Wallace.
“You needn’t trouble yerself,” said the other, sullenly. “I got five hundred dollars for it.”