"You know it, Rose," he said, smiling.
"Yes, I do know it," she cried quickly. "That makes it worse for me to impose on you. Now you're in trouble because of me. I should think you'd pretty near hate me."
"We're in trouble together," he corrected. "I thought that was supposed to bring friends closer an' not to drive them apart."
She flashed a quick look at him and changed the subject of conversation. Just now she could not afford to be emotional.
"Are you going back to Twin Buttes?"
"No. I'm goin' to find out who killed James Cunningham an' bring the man to justice. That's the only way to clear us both before the world."
"Yes!" she cried eagerly. "Let me help you. Let's be partners in it,
Kirby."
He already had one partner, but he threw him overboard instantly.
James Cunningham was retired to the position of an adviser.
"Bully! We'll start this very minute. Tell me all you know about what happened the evenin' of the murder."
She told again the story she had confessed to his cousins. He asked questions, pushed home inquiries. When she mentioned the woman who had passed her on the stairs he showed a keen interest.