"I'll tell you Chief. I fetched an axe with me to do the dirty job, but I decided I should use a dangerous weapon only on men. So I soaked them with a lollypop."
"Lane, are you really nutty?" demanded Bell, curiously.
"No more than you. I hit them with something hard, so it would leave a mark."
"You left one, I'll say. Thesel will lose that eye—it's gone now—and Swann is also disfigured for life. What a damned shame!"
"Chief, are you sure it's any kind of a shame?"
Lane's query appeared to provoke thought. Bell replaced the little automatic pistol he had picked up beside Swann, and rising he looked at Lane.
"Swann was a slacker. Thesel was your Captain in the war. Have these facts anything to do with your motive?"
"No, Chief," replied Lane, in sarcasm. "But when I got into action I think the facts you mentioned sort of rejuvenated a disabled soldier."
"Lane, you beat me," declared Bell, shaking his head. "Why, I had you figured as a pretty good chap.... But you've done some queer things in Middleville."
"Chief, if you're an honest officer you'll admit Middleville needs some queer things done."