And as he spoke the Colonel entered hurriedly, evidently bearing news of import. Startled by the young man's earnest words, he stopped short in astonishment. "Why--what's that, sir?" he exclaimed amazed, and then, seeing clearly that he had broken in upon a fervent sentimental situation and unwilling to believe that Frank could really have meant him when he had been so emphatic, turned his thoughts, again, to the news which had brought him in such haste. "I say," he said, excitedly, "I've been cross-examining that rascal, Ike, and I've found out who smuggled the whiskey to him." "Who was it?" Madge and Frank cried almost in unison. "That double-distilled, three-ply scoundrel, Horace Holton," said the Colonel, angrily. "Holton!" Frank exclaimed. "I wouldn't have believed it!" "I would," Madge commented. "I'll find him and settle with him for it!" Frank angrily exclaimed. "I'm afraid that's easier said than done," the Colonel answered, "but I'm with you, and we'll do our best." Through the windows came the noise of baying hounds. It instantly attracted their attention, as it ever will that of Kentuckians. "What's that? A fox-hunt?" Frank had hurried to the window and was looking out. "No," he answered, in incredulous amazement, "it's Holton and his gang. They're hunting Joe Lorey with dogs!" Madge hurried to his side, distressed beyond the power of words to tell. "Oh, oh!" she cried. "They're coming this way, and--and--who's that?" As she spoke Joe Lorey dashed up, breathless to the window. CHAPTER XIX The moonshiner stood there, pathetic in his beaten strength before them. "They're huntin' me with dogs!" he said. "They're goin' to string me up without justice or mercy!" Madge hurried to his side. "Joe, they shan't do it!" she exclaimed, and took his hand. "It'll take more nor you to save me, little one," he said, and smiled down at her pitifully. "There's no hope for me, now. That's why I've come hyar, to say to you all, afore I die, that I am innocent o' firin' th' stable." He threw back his shoulders and stood before them, impressive and convincing. "Afore God, I am innocent!" Frank looked at him with eyes which, as they gazed, altered their expression. He had thought the man quite possibly guilty of a vicious act--a foul attempt to burn a helpless animal in order to obtain revenge upon the man who owned her. But as he gazed he could not doubt that he was speaking simple truth. "Joe," he said impulsively, "I believe you!" Joe turned to him with gratitude plain upon his face. "You believe me--arter all that's passed?" He looked straight into the eyes of the young man he had hated, with a searching, earnest gaze. "Then," he said, after a second's pause, "I believe as what you said, that night, war true. It war never you as ruined me." He held his hand out to the man whom, not so long ago, he had wished, with all his heart, to kill.