"Jerking down the gun," explained Joe, pointing to the broken rack. "Jerkin' down the gun! What'd he want--look--look at all that money! The sack's busted--it's spillin' all over him!" "He's dead," said Joe weakly, "and I was going after the doctor." "Stone dead," said Greening, bending over the body; "they ain't a puff of breath left in him. The doctor couldn't do him no good, Joe, but I reckon----" Greening straightened up and faced Joe, sternly. "Where's Missis Chase?" he asked. "Upstairs," said Joe, pointing. "Does _she_ know? Who was here when it happened?" "Isom and I," said Joe. "God A'mighty!" said Greening, looking at Joe fearfully, "just you and him?" "We were alone," said Joe, meeting Greening's eyes unfalteringly. "We had some words, and Isom lost his temper. He jumped for the gun and I tried to stop him, but he jerked it by the barrel and the hammer caught." "Broke his neck," said Greening, mouth and eyes wide open; "broke it clean! Where'd that money come from?" "I don't know," said Joe; "I didn't see it till he fell." "Words!" said Greening, catching at it suddenly, as if what Joe had said had only then penetrated his understanding. "You and him had some words!" "Yes, we had some words," said Joe. "Where's Missis Chase?" demanded Greening again, turning his eyes suspiciously around the room. "Upstairs, I told you Sol," replied Joe. "She went to bed early." "Hush!" cautioned Greening, holding up his hand, listening intently. "I hear her movin' around. Let me talk to her." He tiptoed to the door at the foot of the stairs, and listened again; tiptoed back to the outer portal, which he had left swinging behind him, and closed it gently. There was no sound from above now to indicate that Ollie was awake. Sol stood near Isom's body, straining and listening, his hand to his ear. "She must 'a' been turnin' over in bed," said he. "Well, I guess I'll have to call her. I hate to do it, but she's got to be told." "Yes, she must be told," said Joe. Sol stood as if reflecting on it a little while. Joe was on the other side of Isom's body, near the table. Both of them looked down into his bloodless face. "You had words!" said Greening, looking sternly at Joe. "What about?" "It was a matter between him and me, Sol, it don't concern anybody else," said Joe in a manner of dignity and reserve that was blunter than his words. Sol was not impressed by this implied rebuke, and hint to mind his own business. "That ain't no answer," said he. "Well, it will have to do for you, Sol," said Joe. "I don't know about that," declared Sol. "If you can't give me the straight of it, in plain words, I'll have to take you up." Joe stood thoughtfully silent a little while. Then he raised his head and looked at Sol steadily. "If there's any arresting to be done--" he began, but checked himself abruptly there, as if he had reconsidered what he started to say. "Hadn't we better pick Isom up off the floor?" he suggested.