He had no evidence, other than his own word, and the marshal had already taken from his pockets the papers belonging to the slain man.

He had not found the locket hidden under his shirt, yet a more thorough search would doubtless reveal that also.
Even should the case come to trial, how would it be possible for him to establish innocence, and--_would it ever come to trial ?_ Keith knew the character of the frontier, and of Carson City.

The inclination of its citizens in such cases was to act first, and reflect later.

The law had but slender hold, being respected only when backed by the strong hand, and primitive instincts were always in the ascendency, requiring merely a leader to break forth into open violence.

And in this case would there be any lack of leadership?
Like a flash his mind reverted to "Black Bart." There was the man capable of inciting a mob.