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

"Yes, sah." And Steve withdrew.
The Judge drew an easy-chair up to
the fiat-topped desk that stood in the
center of the room, and seated him
self
Are you going to make this the
excuse for another drunk, Price? II
so, l feel the greatest contempt for
you," said Mahaffy sternly.
The Judge WINGED at this.
You have made a regrettable
choice of words, Solomon" he urged
gently.
where's your feeling for the, boy?"
"Herei" said the judge, with an elo-
quent gesture, resting his hand on his
heart.
IF you let whisky alone, I'll beliete
you; otherwise what have said must
stand"
The door opened, and the sherin
slouched into the room. He was chew
ing a long wheat straw, and his whole
appearance was one of troubled weak
ness.
Morning" he said briefly.
"Sit down, sheriff." and the judge
indicated a meek seat for the official
in distant corner. Have you learned
anything?" he asked.
The sheriff shook his head.
What you turning all these neigh
bors out of doors for?" he questioned.
I'VE don't want people tracking in
and out the house, sheriff. Important
evidence may be destroyed. / propose
examining the slaves first-does that
meet with your approval?"
"Oh, I've talked with them; they
don't know nothing" said the sherin.
mo one don't know nothing"
please God, We may yet put our
fingers on some villain who doess
said the judge.
Outside it was noised about that
Judge Price had taken matters in
hand-he was the old fellow who had
been warned to keep his mouth smut,
and who had never stopped talking
/ since. A crowd collected beyond the
| library windows and Toasted its eyes
on the back of this hero's bald head.
One by one the house servants were
/ ushered into the judges presence.
First he Intercepted little Steve, who
had gone to Miss Betty's door that
morning to rouse her, as was his GUS
tom. Next he examined Betty's maid (;
then the cook, and various house serv.
ants, who had nothing especial to tell,
but told it at considerable length; and
lastly big Steve.
stop a Bit" the judge suddenly in.
terrupted the butler in the midst of
his narrative. Does the overseer al
ways come up to the house the first
thing in the morning?"
Why, not exactly, sab, but he come
up this mo'ning, sab. He was talking
to me at the back of the house, when
the women run out with the word that
Missy was done gone away"
He joined in the search?"
Yes, sah."
when was Miss Malroy seen last p
asked the Judge.
"She and the young gemman you
fetched heah were seen in the gyar
den along about shutdown. seen then
myself"
They had had support"
Yes, sah."
who sleeps here?"
Just little Steve and three OF the
women; they sleeps at the back o
the house, sab"
mo sounds were heard during tn,
night?"
mo, sah."
I'm see the overseer-what's hi
name?-Hicks? Suppose you go TO
him!" said the judge, addressing thu
sheriff
The sheriff was gone from the room
only few moments, and returne'
with the information that Hicks wa
down at the bayou, which was to b
dragged.
"Why?" inquired the Judge.
"Hicks says Miss Malroy's been act
ing mighty queer ever since Charlie
Norton was shot-distracted nkeI H
says he noticed it, and that Tom War
noticed it,"
How does he explain the boys di:
appearance?"
HE reckOns she throwed herself IL
and the boy tried to drag her out, Xix
he naturally would, and got drawe
, in"
'Humphl I'll trouble Mr. Hicks t
step here" said the judge quietly.
There's Mr.. Darlington and
] couple of strangers outside who'y
been asking about Miss Malroy an
+ the boy; seems like the stranger
knowed her and him back yonder
Moth Carolina" said the sheriff as b
turned away.
I'll see them" The sheriff wei
from the room and the judge dismisse
the servants.
well, what do you think, Price,
asked Mahaffy anxiously when the
were alone.
Rubbish! Teke my word for
Solomon, this blow is leveled at m
/ have been too forward in my a
, tempts to suppress the carnival
= crime that is raging through we
Tennessee. You'll observe that Mi
Malroy disappeared at momel
when the public is disposed to thiI
:, she has retained me as her legal a
: wiser; probably she will be set at II
. erty when she agrees to drop the ma