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 could speak, other men followed Davies, and some came round the house from the front.

"It's Jeff Dexter as done it," said Bill.

There was a curious gasp of relief from those who stood by him and Jeff. Old Simon Keats was the first to speak.

"Boys, he had a right to," he said. "Walker killed his Dad, and he's a boy. He had no call to speak to Windy first, under the circumstances."

But Jeff still sobbed.

"What'll we do, boys?" asked Bill Davies.

"We'll save the boy trouble," said Keats. "It's allowed young Jeff ain't done no harm in killing Windy?"

"That's so," said the bystanders.

"Then send him back to Virginia to his sister," said Keats. "There's the East-bound express due in less'n twenty minutes. Will you go, bud?"

"Of course he'll go," said Davies. "Hev you any money, Jeff?"

Jeff had none on him. A dozen men offered him bills and silver.