Page:Keeban (IA keeban00balm).pdf/94

 just as it always did when I argued with father, You see at that time, it was a matter of faith with me; and nothing feeds up faith like antagonism. I was slow but also stubborn, as perhaps you've perceived. These men were here because they were sure Jerry had shot down Winton Scofield; Jerry'd been seen doing it. I wouldn't believe that; therefore I had to believe in Keeban.

"What are you getting at?" I asked Mullaney.

He changed his tone. "Our cards are face up on your table, Mr. Fanneal," he said, respectfully enough. "We're not accusin' of any doin's; but we think you know more about him who was Jerry Fanneal than you are telling us."

"What do you think I know?"

"We figure that you thought he was up by Mr. Scofield's big house last night and that's why you was there; we think you was lookin' for him when you bumped into Mrs. Scofield comin' out."

I could deny that directly and I did. "That's wrong."

"You didn't know he was there or you didn't expect him there?"