“Blaze Nolan thinks she tried to murder Kendall Marsh?”
“What else could he think, dad?”
“My God! Harry, this is a terrible mix-up.”
“I know it, dad.”
“But why did you try to murder Kendall Marsh? There are others to carry on his work, his plans. Didn’t you realise what it would mean?”
“I reckon I didn’t think of anythin’, except you and Painted Valley, dad. I wanted to lose the Lost Trail again.”
“Lose the Lost Trail again? What do you mean, Harry?”
“Don’t you understand? I didn’t shoot at Kendall Marsh—I shot at Blaze Nolan.”
The old man stared at his son for a full minute, but Harry turned away, his jaw set tightly.
“He killed my brother,” he said finally. “He didn’t play square with Jane—and he was goin’ to break my father. I—I guess I was all wrong, dad; but I wasn’t responsible just then. I’m sorry.”