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He then called the policeman who arrived first at Farnham's house the night before. He told his story and identified the hammer which had been shown to Offitt. A young man from Ware & Harden's swore that he had sold the hammer the day before to Sleeny, whom he knew. The justice held this evidence sufficient to justify Sleeny's detention. "I should think so," said some of the by-standers.
"It would have been self-defence," said Bowersox. "He hit me first." "Well, gentlemen," said Offitt, "that closes up Greenwood Lodge. We can't meet in this grass any more. I don't suppose he knows any of us by sight, or he'd have us up to-morrow." "It was a piece of nonsense, comin' out here, anyhow," growled Bowersox, unwilling to be placated.
He used the story to whet the edge of Sam's hatred against Farnham. "Why, Sam, my boy," he would say, "your honor is at stake." "I would as soon kill him as eat," Sam answered. "But what good would that do me? She cares no more for me than she does for you." Offitt was sitting alone in his room one afternoon; his eyes were staring blankly at the opposite wall; his clinched hands were cold as ice.
He had such confidence in his friend's voluble cleverness that he had no doubt Offitt would "talk him free" in a few minutes. He was confused a little by his opening words, not clearly seeing his drift; but as the story went on, and Offitt's atrocious falsehood became clear to his mind, he was dumb with stupefaction, and felt a strange curiosity wakening in him to see how the story would end.
He was brought down to a lower level by hearing the door open, and the voice of Offitt asking if Mr. Sleeny was in. "No one of that name here," said Budsey. "I was told at Matchin's he was here." "Oh! the yonng man from Matchin's. He is in the library," and Offitt came in, looking more disreputable than usual, as he had greased his hair inordinately for the occasion.
When he had concluded he was shown the hammer which had been picked up on the floor at Farnham's, and was asked, "Is that the hammer you refer to?" "Yes, that is it." These words were the signal for a terrible scene. When Sleeny saw Offitt step forward and begin to give his evidence, he leaned forward with a smile of pleased expectation upon his face.
She said, "Mother, I think I ought to go with you!" "No, indeed," her mother replied. "You ain't wanted, and it wouldn't be polite to Mr. Offitt." The moment they were gone, Offitt sprang to the side of Maud, and seized her hands. "Now, my beauty, you will be mine. Put on your hat and we will go." She struggled to free her hands. "Let go," she said, "you hurt me.
He chatted awhile with them, and asked for Sleeny. "I don't really know where Sam is. He ain't so reg'lar in his hours as he used to be," said Saul. "I hope he ain't gettin' wild." "I hope not," said Offitt, in a tone of real distress then, after a pause, "You needn't mention my havin' asked for him. He may be sensitive about it." As he came away, Maud followed him to the door.
But she had neither the dignity nor the training required for the occasion, and all the reply she found was: "Oh, Mr. Offitt, how can you say so?" "I say so," he answered, with the same unsmiling gravity, "because it's the fact. I have been all over the world.
I am so happy that I will promise easily. But I am also very sleepy." The beautiful eyelids were indeed heavy and drooping. The night's excitement had left her wearied and utterly content. She fell asleep even as her mother kissed her forehead. The feeling of Offitt as he left Algonquin Avenue and struck into a side street was one of pure exultation.
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