"In one way, maybe, but no legal rights," replied the sheriff, who was much perplexed, but who could not escape the compelling fact of Anne Oglesby's presence, the compelling charm of Anne Oglesby herself. "He's not really committed as yet, of course, only bound over by the coroner's jury; but the grand jury meets tomorrow, and they'll indict him sure. You know that. I can't take any chances of his getting away. I have to be sure." "Your wife may come with me," said Anne Oglesby. "It's my right to talk to him a little while, don't you think? I'm not going to try to get him out. He hasn't had anyone to help him--he hasn't had any legal counsel." "Who'd he send for, anyway?" asked the sheriff. "He's a sort of a waif, isn't he--her boy? I suppose you've heard about him fighting here around town yesterday?" "I don't know why he fought, but I know that if he did he had cause. I hope he fought well." "They said it was about his mother," began Sheriff Cowles. "Some word about her was passed----" "You needn't say any more," said Anne Oglesby. "He hasn't told me to send for any lawyer for him," said Cowles. "It don't seem like he's thought of it. He's just sort of quiet--mighty still all the time. Ha-hum!--I don't know what to say about your seeing him. Why didn't you ask your uncle, Judge Henderson?" "Don't call him my uncle," said Anne Oglesby. "He's only my guardian in law. I've just told you he wouldn't let me come. That's why I've got to hurry." "Well," hesitated the sheriff, "I'll have to warn you not to talk about this case where I can hear it. I'll have to hear all you say." "Would you like to do that?" The sheriff flushed. "No," said he, "not special; but you see my own duty is right clear. I can't play any favorites. If you was his lawyer, now, it might be different." "I am his lawyer, the only one he's got so far as I know." "Yes, I reckon the judge wouldn't care to take his case." The sheriff wagged his head. "He's no ways rich--not beyond four dollars and seventy-five cents and a pocket knife and some keys on a ring. He's broke, all right." "He's never been anything else," said Anne Oglesby, hotly. "He's never had a chance. Do you want to keep a man from his chance all his life--do you want to help railroad him to the gallows? That's for the courts, not for you. Do you want to hang a man--are you anxious to begin that?" Cowles' face grew pale. "God knows I don't! I never done that in my life, and I don't want to have to, neither. Don't talk about that to me, Miss." "Then don't talk to me any more about those other things. I give you my word I'll not try to get him out, but I want to see him--I must see him--he'll want to see me. Don't you know--we've--we've just begun to be engaged." "Some things I can't understand no ways," pondered Sheriff Cowles. "He's nobody, so far as I can learn. You're the Judge's ward--why, you're rich, they say."