"It's many's the time since then I've wished the hand was shrivelled that heaved that rock at him in the road! The day when I saw my bit of a lass, holdin' to the horse's mane, ridin' to her death in the Hollow--an'--when he brought her back--" He stopped, struggling with himself, tears rolling down his cheeks. "No murderer did that!" he burst out. "We gave him the back of the hand an' the sole of the foot, an' we kept to it, though he fought it down an' lived straight an' decent. He never did it! I don't care what they say! I'll see Prendergast in hell before I'll believe it, or any dirty paper he saved to swear a man's life away." The listeners were silent. No one had ever heard such a speech from the huge owner of the dance-hall. The sheriff lighted a cigar before he said: "That's all right, Devlin. We all understand your prejudices, but I'm afraid they haven't much weight with legal minds, like Mr. Felder's here, for instance." "Excuse me," said Felder. "I fear my prejudices are with Devlin. Good night," he added, moving up the street. "Where are you bound?" asked the other casually. "To the jail," answered the lawyer, "to see a client--I hope." The sheriff emitted a low whistle. "_I_ hope there'll be enough sane men left to get a jury!" he said. CHAPTER XXXVI THE HAND AT THE DOOR At the sound of steps in the jail corridor and the harsh grating of the key in the lock, Harry rose hastily from the iron cot whereon he had been sitting and took a step forward. "Jessica!" he exclaimed. She came toward him, her breath hurried, her cheek pale. Tom Felder's face was at her shoulder. "I have a little matter to attend to in the office," he said, nodding to Harry. "I shall wait for you there, Miss Holme." She thanked him with a grateful look, and as he vanished, Harry took her hand and kissed it. He longed to take her in his arms. "I heard of it only at noon," she began, her voice uncertain. "I was afraid they would not let me see you, so I went to Mr. Felder. They were saying on the street that he had offered to defend you." "I had not been here an hour when he came," he said. "I know you have no money," she went on; "I know what you did with the gold you found. And I have begged him to let me pay for any other counsel he will name. I have not told him--what I am to you, but I have told him that I am far from poor, and that nothing counts beside your life. He says you have forbidden him to do this--forbidden him to allow any help from any one. Hugh, Hugh! Why do you do this? The money should be yours, not mine, for it was your father's! It _is_ yours, for I am your wife!" He kissed her hand again without answering. "Haven't I a right now to be at your side? Mayn't I tell them?" He shook his head. "Not yet, Jessica."