The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-21
CHAPTER xxxVIIl.
IConIInucd.l

With the great stake which fate had
suddenly introduced into their losing
came he wished earnestly 10 believe
that the Judge would stay quietly in
his Office and complete the task he
had set himself that with this on his
hands the promise OF excitement al
Belle Plain would compel his pres
ence there. when he would pass some
what under the restraining influence
which he was determined 10 exert,
IN short. 10 Solomon. life embraced
ust the one vital consideration,
which was to maintain the Judge In
state OF sobriety until after his
meeting with Fentress.
The purple Of twilight was steal
ing over the land when he and mis-
TWO companions reached Belle Plalr.
They learned that Tom Ware had re-
turned from Memphis that The
BAYOU had been dragged but with
cut results. and that ~ yet nothing
had been heard from Darlington or
the dogs he had gone TO-.
Presently Cavendish and lancy
set on across the fields. They were
going on 10 the raft. to Polly anG
the six little Cavendishes. whom they
had not seen since early morning
but they promised 10 be back n
Belle Plain within an hour
by very nature an alien, Mahany
sought out dark corner on the wide
! porch that overlooked the river u
| await their return, The house hdo
been thrown open AMI supper was
being served TO whoever cared &c
| stay and partake OF IT, The muir
muir OF idle purposeless talk drifted
out TO him; he was irritated anc
offended by IT, There was something
/ garish in this indiscriminate hos
pitality in the very home OF tragedy
! As the moments slipped by his sense
OF dlspleasure increased. with man
I kind in general. with himself. anC
! with the principally with The
judge-who was to make a tooiist
target of himself in the morning. liz
was going 10 give the man who ha'
wrecked his life chance 10 take 4
as well Mahaffy's cold logic deal
cynically with the preposterous sit
/ uation his friend had created.
( In the midst OF his angry media
tions he heard a clock strike In tn
hall and counted the strokes, II Wa
4 9 o'clock Surely Yancy and Cayen
dish had been gone their hour III
uuitted his seat and strolled rest
I lessly about the house He Eel
deeply indignant with everybod,
and everything Human intelligence
seemed but pitiable advance 81
u brute instinct A whole day ha'
passed and what had been accom-
f, plished? Carringtcn, the judge
| Yancy. Cavendish the four mel
who might have worked together Z
some purpose had widetyTseparate
themselves; and here was the duel
the very climax OF absurdity. II
! resumed his dark corner and waite'
and Yancy and Cavendish had no
come up from the raftn
Fools" thought Mlhaffy bitter
ly. "All of them fools"
At last he decided to go back 4
the Judge; and moment later va
hurrying down the lane IN the direc
tion OF the highboard. but jaded a
he was by the effort he had alread
put forth that day the walk Il
Raleigh made tremendous demand
on him, and 1t was midnight whel
he entered the little town
II can not be said that he was alto
gether surprised when ne found thei
cottage dark and apparently deserted
He had half expected this. Enter
ing. and not stopping TO secure
candle. he CROPPED his way up-stair
TO the room on the second floor which
he and the Judge shared
Price" he called. but this gained
him no response. and he cursed softl,
under his breath
He hastily descended 10 the kitch
en-. lighted candle, and stepped int,
the adjoining room. On the tabl
was neat pile OF papers, and top
ping the pile was the president
letter. Being burdened by no falls
scruples. and thinking IL might affort
some clue to the judges whereabouts
Mahaffy took II up and read IL. Hav
ing mastered its contents he instant
~ glanced in the direction Of tn,
City Tavern, but IL was wrapped IL
darkness
Price is drunk somewhere" wa
his definite conclusion But he'll b,
at Boggs' the first thing IN the morn
ing-most likely so far gone he car
hardly stand"
The letter with its striking news
made little or no impression on hin
just then; IL merely furnished tn,
clue he had sought. The Judge Wa