I figger they would. It would prove Ned shot
Ward!"
"No, no, I don't think so. I'm not saying who hid the
squirrel, but-"
While the doctor was talking to Mister Hawk, Papa turned
around to ask Mister Wes what he thought about Ned and the
squirrel.
Mister Wes took a deep breath, and for a minute didn't answer
Papa. Then he cleared his throat two or three times and said, "I
tell you, Jodie, Old Man Hawk's right 'bout that red fox squirrel
bein' fresh killed. I'd done figgered that out myself. Like I was
tellin' the sheriff here, that's how come me knowin' Ward didn't
have no accident. Now, Jodie, I don't want you gettin' mad at
me-and I hate to say it 'cause I never know'd you to harm a fly
before-but me and the sheriff figger it was you that killed Ward!
He's come to arrest you!"
"Just do some more figuring, Wes. I didn't kill him!"
"You was over at Ward's place late Sunday evenin', Jodie! You
can't deny that! I seen you pass my house. Then just in a little
while I heerd shootin'. Then pretty soon you come back by, headed
towards home-your shotgun lyin' cross your knees! Your wife was
with you, and some young'uns in the back of the buggy! I seen
you!"
"Yeah, Wes! I went over there! But I didn't go to kill Ward
Lawson! Me and my wife went to take some vittles to his
young'uns! And, as for the gun, that old rusty thing belongs to
Miss Dink!"
"Now, Jodie! On top o' that, yesterday mornin' you was one of
the first ones sayin' it looked like Ward shot hisself accidental
tryin' to climb the fence.
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