"There weren't no one else at the Banks but Garvin when I was there--I'd have knowed it jest so quick as a dog, if there had been. I'd already took the letter--I run to you then.... Miss Judith, I don't need to tell you what all this'll come to. Garvin's jest gone mad, but if he comes to hisself like he does, who'll believe it? The law'll get him, Miss Judith. An' that ain't all--every bit of all your family history will be gone into. And Ann's name will be ruined. It will be the end of Westmo'. I never come up against nothin' like this befo'--I'm jest helpless!" The big creature looked both helpless and desperate. Judith turned abruptly, faced God's half-acre, and Ben stood still with eyes on her rigid shoulders and carven profile. He knew Judith Westmore well; there was no room for grief, no limit to her capability when the family name was at stake. It was not for long; she faced him again. "Where was he shot?" she asked stiffly. Ben lifted a finger to his forehead. Her mask-like face twitched, then was controlled. "Where is he--lying?" she asked, with the same difficulty over her words. "In the road?... Where some one may pass?" "No--off the road--in the hollow--near the first ore-pit." "In the bushes and grass?" "Yes." "Did you search around--him?" "No. I saw he were gone--then I come quick." Judith nodded. "Go to the barn and put the horses in the light wagon. There's no one there--the men have gone. Saddle another horse for yourself. I'll get some things from the house and come out to you. Go quick--I'll be quick." "Are you goin' to the Banks?" Ben asked. "I'll tell you when I come back. Go put the horses in," and she turned and walked rapidly to the house. She returned to Ben's side before he had finished harnessing the horses. She was laden with blankets and a pillow, and, after she had put them into the wagon, her skilful hands helped him. She worked swiftly and accurately, her hard, short-drawn breathing alone indicative of tense emotion and desperate haste. She spoke low and decidedly. "We'll have to face it the best way we can.... I want you to ride to the Copeleys'. Tell Cousin Copeley just that you found Edward--shot at the Banks, and that you came straight off to me--just that and nothing more.... Tell any one who asks--just that. Tell Cousin Copeley to come quick to the Banks to meet me. Then have him send one of the boys for the doctor and have him bring him to Westmore.... I'm going down through the woods to the Smiths'. I'll get Allen Smith and his son to go with me to the Banks--they're the nearest men I can reach, and they're not relations--I'd rather have them with me." Judith said no more until they were ready. Then she put her hands on his huge shoulders. Even in the dim light he could see that her eyes were brimming. "Ben, you are our friend?" she asked very low. "You will stand by me?" "I'd die befo' I hurt a Westmo'--or a Penniman," he said as huskily as she.