What right has the State to take so
precious a thing as human life, even though the life be that of a
hardened criminal? Carter was sick at heart. He had watched the most
depraved characters, fed and clothed and guarded at the public expense,
spend their days in shame and utter uselessness. It would have been a
mercy to have terminated their existence; and it would have instilled
respect for law in the minds of other criminals.
But the immediate problem of Sheriff Carter, as it is the immediate
concern of this story, was to capture the murderers. Carter went armed
with proper legal documents, handcuffs, and a pair of derringers--for
the sheriff of Nevada County could shoot straight simultaneously with
both hands. Two faithful deputies accompanied their chief, and all three
were well supplied with the sinews of war in gold and bank-notes.
Arrived at St. Louis Carter immediately got in touch with O'Leary, and
cautioned him not to alarm Collins, for proper circumspection might lead
to the capture of both murderers. Showing his credentials to the proper
authorities, he took them into his confidence, and thus made sure that
Collins would not be discharged from jail without his knowledge.
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