The Sheriff's Son
"Did n't he?" She looked steadily across at him. "You can't tell me he did n't plan that express robbery, for instance."
"Meaning that I was in the party that pulled it off?" he asked, flushing.
"I know well enough you were in it—knew it all along. It's the sort of thing you could n't keep out of."
"How about Ned? Do you reckon he could keep out of it?" She detected rising anger beneath his controlled voice.
"Not with you leading him on." Her eyes poured scorn on him. "And I'm sure he would appreciate your loyalty in telling me he was in it."
"Why do you jump on me, then?" he demanded sulkily. "And I did n't say Ned was in that hold-up—any more than I admit having been in it myself. Are you trying to make trouble with me? Is that it?"
"I don't care whether I make trouble with you or not. I'm not going to pretend and make-believe, if that's what you want. I don't have to do it."
"I see you don't," he retorted bluntly. "I suppose you don't have to mind your own business either."
271
