The Pleasantville press., 1912-08-07
CHAPTER xxIII.
The Judae Finds Allies.

lug VI the uOOT, anu Dig steve dQiult-
ted Darlington and the two men OF
whom the sheriff had spoken
"A shocking condition Of afrairs;
Mr.. Carrington!" said the Judge by
way Of greeting.
"Yes," said Darlington shortly.
"You left these parts some time ago.
I believer" continued the Judge
1.-THE day before Norton was shot.
had started home for Kentucky. 1
heard Of his death when reached
Randolph on the second bluff." ex.
planned Darlington. 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 win
dows; 1t overlooked the terraces
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 distigured
by great red scar; the other was q
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 gentleman lows he'd rather be
known now as Mr. Cavendish."
The judge started to his feet.
Bob Yancy?" he cried.
Yes, sir, that's me-" The judge
passed nimbly around the desk and
shook the Scratch Hitler warmly by
the hand. where's my nevvy, sir?-
what's all this about him and Miss
Betty?" Yancy's soft drawI was sud
denly eager.
please God wen recover him
soon!" said the judge.
BY the window Darlington moved
impatiently. No harm could come to
the boy, but Betty-a shudder went
through him.
They've stolen him." Yancy spoke
with conviction. Il reckon they've
started 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 on a sick bed.
He's been powerful porely in c0nse-
quence of having his head laid open
and then being throwed into the Elk
river, where | f1shed him out" ex.
planned Cavendish, who still contin.
ued to regard the judge with unmixed
establishment. first cooking his shaggy
head on one side and then on the
other, his bleached eyes narrowed to q
slit. Now and then he favored the
austere Mahaffy with feeting
glance. He seemed intuitively to un.
derstand the comradeship 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..
Carrington-Td knowed him slightly
back yonder in Moth Carolina" con.
tinued Yancy. HE said I'd find Han.
nibal with you. was counting heap
on seeing my nevvy."
Darlington, no longer able to con-
troll himself, swung about on his heel.
Whats been done?" he asked, with
fierce repression. What's going to be
done? Don't you know that every
second Is precious?'
Il am about to conclude my inves-
legations, sir" said the Judge with
dignity.
Darlington stepped to the door.
After all. what was there to expect of
these men? Whatever their interest,
it was plainly centered IL the boy. He
passed out into the hail.
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 unalterable resolu.
tion.
ACShOA yOu-0A AdFO O0CA Alx6AlJ
good and kind to him." said Yancy
huskily.
1--WE have endeayored to be, Mr..
Yancy-indeed / had formed the reso-
luton legally to adopt him should you
not come to claim him. l should have
given him my name, and made him
my heir His education has already
begun under my supervision" and the
Judge, remembering the high use to
which he had dedicated one of Peg
loe's trade labels, fairly glowed with
philanthropic fervor
Think Of that!" murmured Yancy
softly. He was deeply moved. So was
Mr.. Cavendish, who was gifted with
a wealth of ready sympathy. He
thrust out hardened hand to the
Judge.
s.Shake!" he said. You're a heap
better than you look A thin ripple
of laughter escaped Mahaffy, but the
Judge accepted Chills and Fever,s
proffered hand He understood that
here was simple genuine soul.
Price, isn't it important for us to
know why Mr. Yancy thinks the boy