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Billy's brows contracted, and an expression of pain crossed his face.

"How did they come to say that?" he asked.

"I heard them telephonin' to Kansas City to the police," she replied, and then she

sat bolt upright. "The detectives are on their way here now," she almost

screamed, "and even if you ARE a murderer I don't care. I won't stand by and see

'em get you after what you have done for me. I don't believe you're a murderer

anyhow. You're a good boy. My boy would be about as old and as big as you by

now--if he lives. He ran away a long time ago--maybe you've met him. His name's

Eddie--Eddie Shorter. I ain't heard from him fer years.

"No," she went on, "I don't believe what they said--you got too good a face; but if

you are a murderer you get out now before they come an' I'll send 'em on a wild-

goose chase in the wrong direction."

"But these," said Billy. "We can't leave these here."

Tie 'em up and give me the shotgun," she said. "I'll bet they don't come any more

funny business on me." She had regained both her composure and her nerve by

this time.

Together Billy and Bridge trussed up the two tramps. An elephant couldn't have

forced the bonds they placed upon them. Then they carried them down cellar and

when they had come up again Mrs. Shorter barred the cellar door.

"I reckon they won't get out of there very fast," she said. "And now you two boys

run along. Got any money?" and without waiting for a reply she counted twenty-

five dollars from the roll she had tucked in the front of her waist and handed

them to Billy.

"Nothin' doin'," said he; "but t'anks just the same."

"You got to take it," she insisted. "Let me make believe I'm givin' it to my boy,

Eddie--please," and the tears that came to her eyes proved far more effective than

her generous words.

"Aw, all right," said Billy. "I'll take it an' pass it along to Eddie if I ever meet him,

eh?"

Now please hurry," she urged. "I don't want you to be caught--even if you are a

murderer. I wish you weren't though."

"I'm not," said Billy; "but de law says I am an' what de law says, goes."

187

The Mucker