"
"Where do you reside?"
"In the state penitentiary," said Avery, seeking to hide his face.
"Do you know Mavin Newton?"
"Yes."
"When did you last see him?"
"It was the night of June twelfth, eight year ago."
"Where?"
"In his father's barn."
"What was he doing?"
"Milkin'," said Avery.
"You went to see him?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"To git some money out of him."
"Did he owe you money?"
"No."
"How much money did you go to get?"
"Two hunderd dollars."
"Did you get it?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what money it was?"
"Church-organ money. He told me."
"Why did he give it to you?"
"I made him."
"How?"
"Lemme tell it my own way--if I got to tell it.... He'd took my girl,
and I never liked him, anyhow.... There'd been rumors his old man was
bootleggin'. Nothin' to it, of course, and I knowed that. And I needed
some money. Bought a beef critter off'n Marvin Preston next day. So I
went to Mavin and says I was goin' to arrest his old man because I'd
ketched him sellin' liquor, and Mavin he begged me I shouldn't. I told
him the old man would git ten year, anyhow."
"What did Mavin say to that?"
"He jest bowed his head and kind of leaned against the stall.
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