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 "I did the best I could, Peck," Rawlins replied, sighing as with a sad regret.

"Did you shoot some of 'em?" Peck inquired eagerly, pointing to the dark splotch in the yard where the dead man had lain waiting the coming of the coroner. "That looks like somebody'd been bleedin'. Did you plug one of 'em, Rawlins?"

"I'm sorry to say it was necessary, Mr. Peck."

"The doodle you did? Was he hurt bad?"

"No," said Rawlins, slowly, reflectively, that note of sadness in his voice; "I don't believe it hurt him much."