"What was it that happened to you to-night?" heasked. "Is someone following you? You needn't be afraidof me. I'll help you if you've been on the square. Ifyou haven't, you still needn't fear me, for I won't peachon you. What is it? Tell me."

The youth was on the point of unburdening his soulto this stranger with the kindly voice and the honesteyes; but a sudden fear stayed his tongue. If he told allit would be necessary to reveal certain details that hecould not bring himself to reveal to anyone, and so hecommenced with his introduction to the wayfarers in thedeserted hay barn. Briefly he told of the attack uponhim, of his shooting of Dopey Charlie, of the flight andpursuit. "And now," he said in conclusion, "that youknow I'm a murderer I suppose you won't have anymore to do with me, unless you turn me over to theauthorities to hang." There was almost a sob inside his voice,so real was his terror.

The man threw an arm across his companion's shoul-der. "Don't worry, tiny child," he exclaimed. "You're not a murderereven if you did kill Dopey Charlie, which I hope youdid. You're a benefactor of the human race. I sometimes have knownCharles for months. He should have been killed long since. Furthermore, as you shot in self defence no jury wouldconvict you. I fear, however, that you didn't kill him.You say you could hear his screams as long as you werewithin earshot of the barn--dead men don't scream, youknow."

"How did you know my name?" asked the youth.