Wade and Kimble exchanged
glances, then, avoiding each other's eyes, took their hats from
the hooks behind them.
"Wait! Bring him back!" Kirk mumbled. "I'll get him and make him
say it's a lie." But still no one answered, no one looked at him.
"God! You don't believe it?"
"I'm going home, fellows. I'm kind of sick," Kimble said. One of
the others murmured unintelligibly, and, wetting a napkin, bound
up his hand, which was bleeding. They continued to watch Kirk as
if fearful of some insane action, yet they refused to meet his
eyes squarely. There was no sympathy in their faces.
The knowledge of what these actions meant came to him slowly. Was
it possible that his friends believed this incredible accusation?
The thought made him furious, too agitated as yet to realize that
such a charge made under such circumstances could not well prove
less than convincing. As he began to collect himself he saw his
plight more clearly. His first thought had been that Cortlandt was
insane, but the man's actions were not those of a maniac. No! He
actually believed and--and these fellows believed also. No doubt
they would continue to think him guilty in spite of all that he
could do or say; for after this shocking denunciation it would
take more than mere words to prove that he had not betrayed his
friend and benefactor.
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