Putnam patriot., 1912-04-26

by a great red scar; the other was 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 Mir. Cavendish'
 The judge started 10 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 neyyy. sir?- what's all this about him and Miss Betty?" Yaney's soft drawl was sud denly eager.
 Please God we'll recover him sooni" 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. T reckon they've  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 of a 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 1 flshed him out" ex- plained Cavendish. who still contin- ued to regard the judge with unmixed astonishment. first cooking his shaggy head on ono side and then on the other, his bleached eyes narrowed to q slit. Now and then he favored the austere MahaRy with Q neeting glance. He seemed intuitively to un- derstand the comradeship of their degradation.
 MT. Cavendish fetched me here on his raft. We tied up to the sho' this morning. It was there We met MT. Carrington-I'd knowed him slightly back wonder in Moth Carolina" con- tinued Yancy. He said I'd find Han nibal with you. was counting a heap on seeing my nevvy."
 Darlington, no longer able to con- trol 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 second is precious?"
 II am about to conclude my inves- tigations. 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 the hall
 AS the door closed on him the judge turned again to the Scratch Hitler.
 MT Yancy. Mir. Mahaffy and l 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 1t involves" The judges tone was one of unalterabis resoiu- ton.
 'I reckon you-An have been mighty good and kind to him." said Yancy huskily.
 We have endeavored to be, MT. Yancy-indeed had formed the reso- lution legally to adopt him should you not come to claim him. I 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 MT. Cavendish, who was gifted with wealth of ready sympathy. He thrust out a hardened hand to the judge.
 .NShaket" he saiA You're a heap better than you look" A thin ripple of laughter escaped Mahaffy, but the judge accepted Chills and Fevers proffeI ed h nd. He understood that here was simple genuine soul.
 Price, isn't it important for us to know why MT. Yancy thinks the boy has been taken back to North Caro- lina?" said Mahaffy.
 Just what kin is Hannibal to you, Mir. Yancy?' asked the judge resum- ing his seat
 Strictly speaking. he ain't none.. That he come to live with me is all owing to Mir. Crenshaw, who's good man when left to himself, but he's got wife, so a body may say he never is left to himself,' began Yancy; and then briefly he told the story of the woman and the child much as he had. told 1t to Bladen at the Barony thel day of General Quintard's funeral.
 The judge, his back to the light and his face in shadow, rested his left eLI bow on the desk and with his chin, sunk in his palm, followed the Scratch Hiller's narrative with the closest at tention.