The sheriff glanced from one to the other; and understanding that there might be something intimate and personal in their relation, he said: "I'll just step back into the building, General; when you and Mr.North have finished your talk, you can call me." "Thank you!" said General Herbert, and Conklin withdrew, leaving the two alone.
There was an awkward pause as they faced each other.

The older man was the first to speak.
"I regret this!" he said at length.
"Not more than I do!" rejoined North, with a fleeting sense of humor.
He wondered what it was that had brought Elizabeth's father there.
"What's the matter with Moxlow, anyhow ?" the general demanded.
He glanced sharply into North's face.

He saw that the young fellow was rather pale, but otherwise his appearance was unchanged.
"All the evidence seems to point my way," said North, and added a trifle nervously: "I don't understand it--it isn't clear to me by any means! It came so suddenly, and I was totally unprepared to meet the situation.

I had talked to Moxlow in the morning, but he had let drop nothing that led me to suppose I was under suspicion.

Of course I am not afraid.