It was quite a minute before I spoke, and then my words came quickly and without any hesitation. I wanted to get it over.
"Three days ago," I said, "by chance I saw two men commit a dreadful murder, and then rob the man they had killed. I saw everything too late to interfere, but afterwards I followed one of the murderers and meted out the same punishment to him. I shot him. I had to do it or he would have killed me. Then I lost my head and myself robbed the spoiler of his gains. Then, I fled away, not realising what I had done until it was too late to return and put things right. Now, it seems I may be held responsible for the crime these men committed, and I may not be able to clear myself if I am caught. At any rate, I am a thief." A catch came into my voice. "Can you wonder then at th
