But that very night O'Leary
telegraphed to Sheriff Carter of Nevada City:
"Man who killed Cummins in jail here. Come at once.
Pat O'Leary."
John Keeler and Henry Francis happened to be at the railroad station the
next morning, when Carter started for St. Louis; and he showed them the
telegram.
"When thieves fall out," remarked Keeler; and Francis winced. Was it
because he foresaw that the ten thousand dollar reward would be claimed?
or was it for some other reason? Keeler wondered.
CHAPTER XVII
Brought To Justice
There was no serious doubt in Sheriff Carter's mind as to the importance
of O'Leary's telegram. He hoped that the murder of Will Cummins was, at
last, to be avenged; and, as he had admired and loved that chivalrous
man, he resolved to use every means in his power to bring the murderers
to justice. But he realized what a difficult task it would be to get
them hanged.
There was a strong sentiment in California against capital punishment.
There seemed to be little objection to murder committed by private
citizens, but people raised their hands in horror at what they were
pleased to call judicial murder.
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