The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-13

"Poor Little LadI" He Muttered. .
His ponderous arm stiffened where it
rested on the desk, he Strengthened up
in his chair and his face assumed It's
customary expression of battered dig
nifty, while a smile at once wistful and
tender lowered about his lips.
"One other question" he said. I'm
til this man MurrelI appeared you
had no trouble with Baden? He was
content that you should keep the
child-your right to Hannibal was
never challenger"
Never, sir. All my troubles began
about that time"
"Murrell belongs in these parts"
said the judge.
I'D admire TO to meet him." said
Yancy quietly.
The judge grinned.
Il place my professional services at
your disposal" he said. Yours is a
clear case of felonious assault"
mo, it amt, sir-I look at it this-a-
ways; it's a clear case of my giving
him the damndest sort of body beat
ing!"
Sir" said the judge, "Ill hold your
hat while you are about it,"
Hicks had taken his time in re-
spending to the judges summons, but
now his step sounded in the hall and
throwing open the door he entered
the room. Whether consciously or
not he had acquired something OF that
surly, forbidding manner which was
characteristic of his employer. A curt
nod of the head was his only greet.
ing.
viii you sit DOWN." asked the
judge. Hicks signified by another
movement of the head that he would
not. This is a very dreadful bust
ness" began the judge softly.
Amt it?" agreed Hicks. What
you got to say to me?" he added
| petulantly.
Have you started to drag the
bayou" asked the judge. Hicks
nodded. THAT was your idea?" sug
gested the judge.
mo, 1t want" objected Hicks
quickly. But 1 said she had beer
actin like she was plumb distracted
ever since Charley Norton got shot
'How?" inquired the judge, archine
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
turbed by the question.
Sort of out of her head. Mr.. Ware
seen it, too"
He spoke of it?"
Yes, sir; him and me discussed II
together"
The judge regarded Hicks long anC
intently and in silence. His magniti
cent mind was at work. If Betty haC
been distraught he had not observed
any sign of it the previous day.
Ware were better informed as to hel
true mental state why had he chosen
this time to go to Memphis?
81 suppose Mr.. Ware asked you t.
keep an eye on Miss Malroy while h'
was away from homer" said the Judge
Hicks, suspicious of the drift OF his
questioning, made no answer. II sup
pose you told the house servants t
keep her under observation" contin
ued the judge.
81 don't talk to no niggers," replied
Hicks, except to give 'em my or
ders."
well, did you give them that OF
der?"
mo, l didn't"
The sudden and hurried entrance O
big Steve brought the judges exam
ination of Mr.. Hicks to standstill.
"Mas'r, you know dat ar coachmaI
George-the big black fellow dat tool
you into town las evenin'Y jes' beel
down at Shanty Hill whar Milly. hi
wife, is carryin' on something scan
dalous cause George amt never com
home!" Steve was laboring under in
tense excitement, but he ignored tn
presence Of the overseer and ac
dressed himself to Slocum Price.
We'll, what Of that?" cried Hick
quickly.
Thar warn't no George, mind you
Mas'r, but dar was his team in d
stable this moning and Iookin' might
nigh done up with hard driving"
Yes" interrupted Hicks uneasily
put a pair of lines in Niger
hands and he'll run any team on it
legs!"
AN the heritage all scratched u
from bein' thrashed through tn
bushes" added Steve.
There's a niger for you'll" sal
Hicks. "She took the rascal out
the field, dressed him like he was
I gentleman and pampered him up. an
now first chance he gets he runs OF!
"Ah!" said the judge softly. The
you knew this?'
"Of course l knew-wan't it NJ
business to know? / reckon he wa
of skylarking, and when he'd see
the mess he'd made, the trihing TO-
! took to the woods. Well, he catch'
It when | lay hands on himi"
= DO you know when and und'
what circumstances the team wi
stabbed, Mr.. Hicks?" inquired Il
judge.
= mo, l don't. but I reckon it mu
have been long after dark" said Hicl
unwilIingly. Il seen to the feediI
7. Just after shutdown like I always d
!. then l went to supper" Hicks vouc
safed to explain.
: And no one saw or heard the tea
!. drive in?"
: Not as know Of" said Hicks.
e "Mas'r Ca'ington's done gone on
get a pack of dawgs-he lows hi
e might important to find what's con
of George" said Steve.
d Hicks started violently at this pie
i of news.
n Il reckon he'll have to travel
b right smart distance to md a pack
L dogs" he muttered. Il don't know
none this side OF Colonel Bates doy
W below Girard"
st The judge was lost in thought
N permitted an interval Of silence
Ip elapse in which Hicks glance 81
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