Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-02-23
CHAPTER XXvIII-Continued.
ESTABLISHED 1858.

Judge. Hicks signifed by announcer
movement of the head that he would
not. ''This is very dreadful busi-
ness!" began the judge softly.
Amt it?" agreed Hicks. What you
got to say to me?" he added petulant-
ly.
Have you started to drag the
bayou? asked the judge. Hicks nod
ded. That was your idea?" suggested
the judge.
mo, 1t want" objected Hicks quick
ly. But I said she had been actin
like she was plumb distracted ever
since Charley Norton got shot"
"How?" inquired the Judge, arching
his eyebrows. Hicks was plainly dis
turbed by the question.
Sort of out Of her head. Mr.. Ware
seen 1t, too"
He spoke Of it?"
Yes, sir; him and me discussed 1t
together"
The Judge regarded Hicks long and
intently and in silence. His magnificent
mind was at work. If Betty had been
distraught he had not observed any
sign of 1t the previous day. If Ware
were better informed as to her true
mental state why had he chosen this
time to go to Memphis?
'T suppose Mr.. Ware asked you to
keep an eye on Miss Malroy while he
was away from homer" said the judge.
Hicks, suspicious of the drift OF his
questioning, made no answer. Il sup
pose you told the house servants to
keep her under observation" contin-
ued the Judge.
'I don't talk to no niggers," replied
Hicks, except to give 'em my orders"
well, did you give them that or
der?"
mo, I didn't"
The sudden and hurried entrance Of
big Steve brought the judges exam
nation of Mr. Hicks to standstill.
..Mas'r you know dat ar coachman
George-the big black fellow dat took
YOU into town las evenin'? jes' been
down at Shanty Hill whar Milly, his
wife, is carryin' on something scandal
Gus cause George amt never come
home!" Steve was laboring under in
tense excitement, but ..e ignored the
presence of the overseer and address
ed himself to Slocum Price.
We'll, what Of that?" cried Hicks
quickly.
Thar warn't no George, mind you,
Mas'r, but dar was his team in the
stable this mo'ning and lookin' mighty
nigh done up with hard driving"
Yes" interrupted Hicks uneasily;
put a pair of lines in a nigger's hands
and he'll run any team Off its legs!"
AN the kerriage all scratched up
from bein' thrashed through the BUSH
es," added Steve.
There's a niger for you!" said
Hicks. "She took the rascal out OF
the field, dressed him like he was
gentleman and pampered him up, and
now first chance he gets he runs off!"
"Ah!" said the judge softly. Then
you knew this?"
"Of course l knew-warnt 1t my
business to know? 1 reckon he was
off skylarking, and when he'd seen the
mess he'd made, the trifiing fool took
to the woods. Well he catches 1t when
1 Law hands on him."
DO you know when and under what
circumstances the team was stabbed,
Mr.. Hicks?" inquired the judge.
No, / don't, but I reckon 1t must
have been along after dark" said
Hicks unwillingly. Il seen to the
feeding just after sundown like l al
ways do, then I went to supper" Hicks
youchsafed to explain.
And no one saw or heard the team
drive in?"
Not as 1 know Of" said Hicks.
"Mas'r Ca'ington's done gone off to
get a pack Of dawgs-he lows hits
might important to find what's come
of George" said Steve.
Hicks started violently at this piece
of news.
II reckon he'll have to travel right
smart distance to find pack Of dogs,
he muttered Il don't know Of none
this side of Colonel Bates down be-
low Girard."
The Judge was lost in thought. He
permitted an interval Of silence to
elapse in which Hicks glance slid
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 nodded. Did he
speak of Miss Malroy?" Hicks shook
his head. Did you see her during the
afternoon"
"No-maybe you think these niggers
Amt enough to keep man stirring?'
said Hicks uneasily, and with scowl'
The Judge noticed both the uneasiness
and the scowl
IT 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 was in disturbed mental
state ever since Mr.. Norton's murder?
I am interested in this point. Mr.
Hicks, because your experience Is SO
entirely at variance with my own. 1t
was my privilege 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-hasnt 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 discerplble reason MI Cav
endish spat on his palms
mfr. Hicks" said the judge, urbane
and gracious, Il believe in frankness."
Sure" agreed Hicks, Modified by