The Washington herald., 1911-11-09
CHAPTER xxx.
The Judge Find. Allie,

They were interrupted by the opening
OF the door. and big Steve admitted
Darlington and the two men OF whom
the sheriff had spoken.
"A shocking condition of affairs, Mr..
Carrington!" said the judge by way of
greeting.
Yes" said Darlington shortly.
You left these parts some time ago,
believer" continued the judge.
The day before Norton was shot. I
had started home for Kentucky. l heard
Of his death when I reached Randolph
on the second bluff" explained Caring
ton. from whose cheeks the weather
beaten bloom had faded. He rested his
hand on the edge Of the desk and turned
to the men who had followed him into
the room. This is the gentleman you
wish to see," he said, and stepped to one
of the windows; 1t overlooked the ter
races where he had said good-by TO Betty
scarcely a week before.
The two men had paused by the door
They now advanced One was gaunt and
haggard, his face disfgured by a great
red scar: the other was a shock-headed
individual, who moved with a shambling
gait. Both carried rifles and both were
dressed in coarse homespun.
Morning. sir" said the man with the
scar. "Yancy's my name, and this gen.
tleman lows he'd rather be known now
as Mr.. Cavendlsh.'
The judge started to his feet
Bob Yancy?' he cried.
Yes. sir, that's me-" The judge pass
ed nimbly around the desk and shook
the Scratch Hitler warmly by the hand.
Where's my nevvy, sir-whats all this
about him and Miss Betty?" Yancy's
soft drawl was suddenly eager.
please God, we'll recover him soon"
said the judge.
By the window Darlington moved i'm
boy, but Betty-a shudder went through
him.
They've stolen him. Yancy spoke
with conviction. 'I reckon they've start
ed back to Moth Carolina with him
only that don't explain what's come of
Miss Betty, does it?'' and he dropped
rather helplessly into chair.
Bob are just getting off sick bed.
He's been powerful porely in conse-
quence of having his head laid open
and then being throwed into the Elk
River, where I f1shed him out" ex-
planned Cavendish. who still continued
to regard the Judge with unmixed as
tonishment, first cooking his shaggy
head on one side and then on the other,
his bleached eyes narrowed to a slit.
Now and then he favored the austere
Mahafy with a fieeting glance. He
seemed intuitively to understand the
of their degradation.
Mr.. Cavendish fetched me here on
his raft We tied up to the sho' this
morning. 1t was there we met Mr.. Car
knowed him slightly back
yonder in Moth Carolina" continued
Yancy. He said I'd find Hannibal with
you. I was counting a heap on seeing
my nevvy.''
Carrington, no longer able to control
himself, swung about on his heel.
Whats been done?" he asked, with
fierce repression. Whats going to be
done? Don't you know that every sec
ond is precious?"
'I am about to conclude my investiga-
tions, SIR" said the judge with dignity.
Darlington stepped to the door After
all what was there to expect OF these
men? Whatever their interest, 1t was
plainly centered in the boy. He passed
out into tho hall.
As the door closed on him the judge
turned again to the Scratch Hitler.
'.Mr. Yancy, Mr.. Mahaffy and I hold
your nephew in the tenderest regard: he
has been our constant companion ever
since you were lost to him. In this
crisis you may rely upon US; we are
committed to his recovery, no matter
what It involves" The judges tone was
one Of unalterabIe resolution.
st reckon you-all have been mighty |
good and kind TO him." said Yancy husk- |
Ily.
I'VE have endeavored to be, Mr.. Yancy |
Indeed, / had formed the resolution le-
gaIly TO adopt him should You come to |
claim him. 1 should have given him my |
name, and made him my heir. His edu-