They started down the slope and walked in silence.

“He’s considerable of a coward,” Vaniman admitted, after his pondering.  “I’m depending on that fact, more or less.  I don’t believe he’ll dare to stand up as a witness in court and perjure himself.  Squire Hexter has a line of questions that he and I have prepared very carefully.  Britt will have to testify that I did not have sole opportunity.  In considering crimes, it’s proving sole opportunity that sends folks to prison!”

She turned away her face and set her teeth upon her lower lip, controlling her agitation.

“I’m trying to face the thing just as bravely as I can, Vona.  On the face of it I’m in bad!  When I remember how Britt maneuvered with me, I feel like running to him and twisting his head off his neck.”

When they arrived in front of Britt Block, Vaniman scowled at the stone effigy in its niche.  Then, when his eyes came down from that complacent countenance, they beheld the face of Tasper Britt framed in his office window.  The Britt in the bank was distinctly in an ugly mood.  And there was a challenge in his demeanor, a sneer in the twist of his features.

“Vona, I’m going in there,” Vaniman declared.  “There’s got to be a showdown, but it’s no job for you!”

She offered neither protest nor advice.  At that moment the young man was manifestly in a state of mind which sudden resolution had inflamed with something like desperation.  When he strode in through the front door Britt disappeared from the window.

Vona, following her lover, put her hand on his arm when he arrived in front of the office door.  “Don’t you need me with you in there?” She could not hide her apprehensiveness.

“I’m going to hold myself in, dear!  Don’t be worried.  But it’s best for me to see him alone.”

He waited until she had gone into the bank office.

He did not bother to knock on Britt’s door.  When he twisted the handle he found that the door was locked.  He called, but Britt did not reply.  He put his mouth close to the door.  “Mr. Britt, I have some business to talk over with you.  Please let me in!”

He waited.  The man inside did not move or speak.  “I’m coming in there, Britt, even if I have to kick this door down.”

But the threat did not produce any results.  Vaniman stepped back and drove his foot against the panel, but not with enough force to break the lock.  His kick was in the way of admonition.  After a few moments Britt opened the door; he had an iron poker in his hand.  Vaniman marched in.  “You don’t need any weapon, sir.”

“I think I do, judging from the way you came rushing into this building.  Vaniman, I protest.  I have said my say to your attorney.  I have nothing more to add.”

“I’m not here to try the case, Mr. Britt.  I’ll confess that I did not intend to waste my breath in talking with you.  But I could not resist the feeling that came over me a few moments ago.”  He was standing just inside the door.  He closed it.  “You informed Squire Hexter that you intend to tell the truth at the trial.  That’s all right!  I hope so.  I have no criticism to offer on that point.  But there’s a matter of man’s business between us two, and it belongs here rather than in a courtroom.  Do you intend to tell the truth about how you framed me?”