She had pitied, sympathized, and he had taken advantage of her natural compassion to falsely charge me with the whole trouble.

How far he had gone, what foul accusation he had made, could not be guessed, yet he had sufficiently poisoned her mind against me.

Then circumstances had combined to make the case still blacker.

Doubtless to her it was already conclusive.

I had been seeking the fellow alone, revolver in hand.