The handy-man sprang to his feet, knocking over the chair in which he had been seated.
"What's that?" he roared.
"Why, haven't you heard? He's to be hung in the morning."
Joe glared at her with starting eyes.
"What will they do that for—hang him—hang John North!" He tore off his ragged cap and dashed it to the floor at his feet. "To hell with Andy Gilmore and to hell with Marsh Langham—that's why they drove me out of town—to hell with 'em both!" he shouted, and his great chest seemed bursting with pent-up fury.
"Why, whatever do you mean, Joe?" cried Nellie.
"He never done it—you hear me—and they know it! You sure you got the straight of this—they are goin' to hang young John North?" He seized her roughly by the shoulders.
"Yes—how you take on, Joe—"
"Take on!" he shouted. "You'd take on too if you stood in my place. You're sure you know what you're talkin' about?"
"I seen the fence around the jail yard where they're goin' to hang him; I went over on purpose yesterday with one of the neighbors and took Arthur; I thought it would be improvin', but he'd seen it before. There ain't much he don't see—for all I can do he just runs the streets."