She was the first to
speak, yet without moving her head.
"Is it true that you are now under arrest?" she questioned, her voice
scarcely audible.
"Technically yes, although, as you may perceive, the sheriff is
powerless to prevent an escape if I desired to attempt one."
"Is it because of that--that charge he made?"
He arose to his feet in brave attempt at self-control.
"Oh, no, certainly not! I think that was merely a threat, a cowardly
threat, utterly without provocation, without purpose, unless he sought
in that way to work you a serious injury. The real charge against me
is murder. It appears that the man I fought with in the mine later
died from his injuries."
She turned both face and body toward him, her eyes filled with agony.
"The man died? Will it be possible for you to prove yourself innocent?"
"It may be possible, but it does not appear easy. I hope to show that
all I did was in self-defence. I did not strike the man a deadly blow;
in the struggle he fell and was injured on the sharp rocks.
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