Part 62 (1/2)

The unmistakable rush of sympathy toward Helen moved Carmody to dramatize the moment. ”Miss McLaren,” he said, with judicial poise, ”I am convinced that you are not a material witness in this case. You are dismissed.”

The hearty handclapping of a majority of the auditors followed, and Helen was deeply touched. Her voice was musical with feeling as she said:

”Thank you, sir. I am very grateful. Is my father also excused?”

”Unless the jury wishes to question him.”

The jurors conferred, and finally the spokesman said, ”I don't think we'll need him.”

”Very well, then, you are both free.”

Mrs. Brinkley, a round-faced, fresh-complexioned little woman, who had been sitting near the front seat, made a rush for Helen, eager to congratulate her and invite her to dinner. Others, both men and women, followed, and for a time all business was suspended. It was evident that Helen had in very truth been on trial for murder, and that the coroner's dismissal was in effect her acquittal. Hanscom, on the edge of the throng, waited impatiently for an opportunity to present Rawlins. Raines and Kitsong excitedly argued.

Meanwhile the jury and the coroner were in conference, and at last Carmody called for the finding: ”We believe that the late Edward Watson came to his death at the hands of one Hart Busby, with Henry Kitsong and Margarita Cuneo knowing to it, and we move that they be held to the grand jury for trial at the next term of court,” drawled the foreman and sat down.

No one applauded now, but a murmur of satisfaction pa.s.sed over the room.

Eli and Abe sprang up in excited clamor, and Raines made violent protest against the injustice of the verdict.

”It's all irregular!” he shouted.

Carmody remained firm. ”This finding will stand,” he said. ”The court is adjourned.”

Raines immediately made his way to Hanscom and laid a hand on his shoulder. ”In that case,” he said, ”I'll take you into camp. Mr.

Sheriff, I have a warrant for this man's arrest.”

Hanscom was not entirely surprised, but he resented their haste to humiliate him before the crowd--and before Helen. ”Don't do that now,”

he protested. ”Wait an hour or two. Wait till I can get Miss McLaren and her father out of the country. I give you my word I'll not run away.”

Carmody, seeing Raines with his hand on the ranger's arm, understood what it meant and hurried over to urge a decent delay. ”Let him put the girl on the train,” he said.

”I'll give him two hours,” said Raines, ”and not a minute more.”

Hanscom glanced at Helen and was glad of the fact that, being surrounded by her women sympathizers, she had seen and heard nothing of the enemy's new attack upon him.

IX

Helen and the ranger left the room together, and no sooner were they free from the crowd than she turned to him with a smile which expressed affection as well as grat.i.tude.

”How much we owe to you and Dr. Carmody, and what a sorry interruption we've caused in your work.”

He protested that the interruption had been entirely a pleasure, but she, while knowing nothing of his impending arrest, was fully aware that he had undergone actual hards.h.i.+p for her sake, and her plan for hurrying away seemed at the moment most ungracious. Yet this, after all, was precisely what she now decided to do.

”Is there time for us to catch that eastbound express?” she asked.

Her words chilled his heart with a quick sense of impending loss, but he looked at his watch. ”Yes, if it should happen to be late, as it generally is.” Then, forgetting his parole, in a voice which expressed more of his pain than he knew, he said: ”I hate to see you go. Can't you wait another day?”

His pleading touched a vibrant spot in her, but she was resolved. ”I have an almost insane desire to get away,” she hurriedly explained. ”I am afraid of this country. Its people scare me!” A quick change in her voice indicated a new thought. ”I hope the Kitsongs will not continue in pursuit of you.”