Then, in a half tone, "You don't mean you suspected VB? Dick--_Dick!_" The sheriff's face became troubled. "Jed, didn't I tell you I knew it wasn't no use to ask them questions?" he said reassuringly. "I'd 'a' gambled my outfit on th' boy, 'cause I know what he is. When you tell me he got here by ten an' it wasn't a hard ride, I know they's no use even thinkin' about it. But th' fact is-- "You see, Jed, everybody in th' country has got to know what's up with VB. They know he's fightin' back th' booze! That gang o' skunks down at Ranger--Rhues an' his outfit--started out to rub it into VB, but everybody knew they was tellin' lies. An' everybody's thought lots of him fer th' fight he's made." He got to his feet and walked slowly about the room. "But th' truth is, Jed--an' you know it--when a man's been hittin' th' booze, an' we ain't sure he's beat it out, we're always lookin' fer him to slip. Nobody down at Ranger has thought one word about VB in this, only that mebby he could tell who'd been round there. "But, bein' 'n officer, I had th' sneakin', dirty idee I ought to ask them questions about VB. That's all there is to it, Jed. That's all! I'm deputy; VB's been a boozer. "But I tell you, Jed Avery, it sure's a relief to know it's all right." The warmth of sincerity was in his tone and his assurances had been of the best, but Jed slumped limply into a chair and rested his head on his hands. "It's a rotten world, Dick--a rotten, rotten world!" he said. "I know you're all right; I know you mean what you say; but ain't it a shame that when a man's down our first thought is to kick him? Always expect him to fall again once he gets up! Ain't it rotten?" And his love for Young VB, stirred anew by this sense of the injustice of things, welled into his throat, driving back more words. Dick Worth was a man of golden integrity; Jed knew well that no suspicion would be cast on VB. But the knowledge that serious-minded, clear-thinking men like the deputy would always remember, in a time like this, that those who had once run wild might fall into the old ways at any hour, stung him like a lash. VB opened the door. "Hello, Dick!" he greeted cheerily. "Want me?" Worth laughed and Jed started. "No; I come up to get a little help from you if I can, though." "Help?" "Kelly was shot dead in his bed last night." For a moment VB stared at him. "Who?" "That's what we don't know. That's what I came up here for--to see if you could help us." And Jed, face averted, drew a foot quickly across the boards of the floor. "One of Hank Redden's boys was with him--th' one who took your place--until dark. Little after eight old Hank heard two shots, but didn't think nothin' of it. Kelly was shot twice. That must 'a' been th' time." VB put down his hat, his eyes bright with excitement.