“And next I want to know,” proceeded Riderhood, “whether you mean to charge that what-you-may-call-it-murder⁠—”

“Harmon murder, father,” suggested Pleasant.

“No Poll Parroting!” he vociferated, in return. “Keep your mouth shut!⁠—I want to know, you sir, whether you charge that there crime on George Radfoot?”

“If you ever do know, you won’t know now.”

“Perhaps you done it yourself?” said Riderhood, with a threatening action.

“I alone know,” returned the man, sternly shaking his head, “the mysteries of that crime. I alone know that your trumped-up story cannot possibly be true. I alone know that it must be altogether false, and that you must know it to be altogether false. I come here tonight to tell you so much of what I know, and no more.”