The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13
The Prodical Judge
Respectfully,
l.. b HERRINGTON
Continued from Page 81

round in a furtive circle.
when did Mr.. Ware set out for
Memphis?" asked the judge at length.
EARLY yesterday. He goes there
pretty often on business"
you talked with Mr.. Ware before
he left?" Hicks shook his head. "Did
he speak of Miss Malroy?" Hicks
shook his head. did you see her dur
ing the afternoon?"
"No-maybe you think these mig
gers amt enough to keep a man stir
ring?" said Hicks uneasily and with
scowL The judge noticed both the
uneasiness and the scowl.
81 should imagine they would alb
sorb every moment of your time, Mr..
Hicks" he agreed affably.
"a mans got to be a hog for work
to hold a job like mine" said Hicks
sourly.
But it came to your notice that
Miss Malroy has been in a disturbed
mental state ever since Mr.. NOrton's
murder? l am interested in this point,
Mr.. Hicks, because your experience is
so entirely at variance with my own
1t was my privilege to see and speak
with her yesterday afternoon; l was
profoundly impressed by her natural
ness and composure." The Judge
smiled, then he leaned forward across
the desk. What were you doing up
here early this morning-hasn't a hog
for work like you got any business OF
his own at that hour?" The judges
tone was suddenly offensive
Look here, what right have you
got to try and pump me?" cried Hicks.
For no discernible reason Mr.. Cav
endish spat on his palms.
Mr.. Hicks" said the judge, urbane
and gracious, Il believe in frankness.T
Sure" agreed Hicks, Modified by
the judges altered tone.
Therefore 1 do not hesitate to say
that l consider you a damned scoun-
drel!" concluded the judge.
Mr. Cavendish, accepting the judges
ultimatum as something which must
debar Hicks from all further consid-
Grafton, and being, as he was, exceed
ingly active and energetic by nature,
if one passed over the various forms
of gainful industry, uttered a loud
whoop and threw himself on the over
seer. There was a brief struggle and
Hicks went down with the Earl Of
Lambeth astride of him; then from
his boot leg that knightly soul flashed
a horn-handled ticker of formidable
dimensions.
The judge, Yancy and MahafTy,
sprang from their chairs. Mr.. Ma
haffy was plainly shocked at the spec
tacle of Mr.. Cavendish's lawless VIC
lence. Yancy was disturbed. too, but
not by the moral aspects of the case;
he was doubtful as to how his friends
act would appeal to the judge. He
need not have been distressed on that
score, since the judges one idea was
to profit by it. With his hands on his
knees he was now bending above the
two men.
What do you want to know,
judge?" cried Cavendish, painting from
his exertions. III learn this parrot
to talk up!"
Hicks" said the judge, 1t is in
your power to tell us a few things we
are here to find out" Hicks looked
up into the judges face and closed
his lips grimly. Mr.. Cavendish,
kindly let him have the point of that
large knife where he'll feel it most.'
ordered the judge.
Talk quick!" said CaVendish, with
a ferocious scowl ''Talk-or what's
to hinder me slicing open your wooz-
en-" and he pressed the blade OF his |
knife against the overseer's throat.
81 don't know anything about Miss
Betty" said Hicks in a sullen whls-
per.
Maybe you don't, but what do you
know about the boy?" Hicks was |
silent, but he was grateful for the
judges question. From Tom Ware he
had learned of Fentress' interest in
the boy. Why should he shelter the |
colonel at risk of himself? IF you
please, Mr.. Cavendish!" said the
Judge. nodding toward the knife.
You didn't ask me about him." said
HICKS quickly.
i do now" said the Judge.
HE was here yesterday"
Mr.. Cavendish-" again the Judge
glanced toward the knife.
"Waitl" cried Hicks. You go to
Colonel Fentress."
Let him up, Mr.. Cavendish; that's
all We want to know" said the Judge.
TO Re CONTINIIEn