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Professor Young knocked at the Skinner hut Tess smiled at him from between the tatters of the curtain, and unlocked the door, standing, as her friend took the wooden rocker

"Daddy air a-comin' home," she breathed timidly

"Soon Sit down, child I have much to say to you We have discovered the amekeeper We have positive proof that it was not your father"

Tess squatted on the floor, crossed her legs, and waited

"Who were it?" she asked presently, as if afraid to speak

"Ben Letts"

"The da in her eyes "And he were a-lettin' Daddy be hung for his own dirty work! He air a wicked cuss, he air!"

"Ezra Long told her, watching the interest gather in the eager face "Letts used your father's gun That accounts for his having been accused"

Tess nodded her head

"Ezy were here last night," she commented quietly "He were sick"

"He was under ht escaped and walked hoasped Tess "Dead!"

I "He died in his father's hut, last night I have just left there, and I feel heartily sorry for theone with Ben Letts"

"Gone where?"

"We don't know, but the officers are looking for them I think the boy heard me tell the nurse that he would be held as a witness in your father's next trial He must have warned Letts upon his arrival home, for--"

"He knowed Myry loved Ben," broke in Tess

"That's what I thought," Young answered "I found Long over the boy They hope to hear froht--" began Tess

"They ravely "Myra took her child with her I found this note on the dead boy's bed, and brought it aith me I would have liked to have put the boy on the witness-stand Nevertheless, I hope to release your father on the evidence I have, without a trial"