He had been watching Lone, had been baffled by Lone's consistent kindness toward the Quirt, by the force of his personality which held none of the elements of cold-blooded murder.

He had believed that he had the Sawtooth killer under observation, and he had been watching and waiting for evidence that would impress a grand jury.

And all the while he had let Al Woodruff ride free and unsuspected.
The one stupid thing, in Swan's opinion, which he had not done was to let Lone go on holding his tongue.

He had forced the issue that morning.

He had wanted to make Lone talk, had hoped for a weakening and a confession.