was a middle aged man, with a kind, intellectual face.
He spoke slowly and thoughtfully. When our hero entered he greeted him
in a kindly way.

"I am sorry to see you here, Fred," he began, "and I hope no evidence of
guilt will be found against you. Though I feel a friendly interest in
you, it is my duty, as you know, to decide the case impartially."

"I know it is, judge," replied Fred, "and I think the evidence will
prove my innocence."

John Rexford now came in with his lawyer, Mr. Clarence Ham, a young man
noted for his eloquence.

Mr. Rexford was sworn as a witness, and deposed that he had strong
grounds for believing his store was burned by an incendiary, and that he
had reasons for suspecting Fred Worthington to be the guilty party,
though he admitted that he had little or no real proof to sustain this
belief.

He gave his evidence upon the facts that led him to think the store was
maliciously burned. Sheriff Coombs added his testimony upon this point.
These facts, having been already given, need not be repeated.

"This testimony gives no absolute proof that the store was burned by an
incendiary," said the judge.

"But I submit that the circumstances--the facts, if you please--lead to
that conclusion," put in attorney Ham.

"To be sure, they give rise to a strong suspicion that it was, but
unless we get further testimony to this end, the court cannot hold the
prisoner for trial."

Mr. Rexford now gave his evidence, showing why he suspected Fred of
being the guilty party.

This being simply a hearing before a justice, Mr. Farrington was allowed
to serve Fred in place of a lawyer.

"You say," said Mr. Farrington, addressing the witness, "you thought at
the time you discharged Fred Worthington from your employ that some sort
of revenge would follow. Will you kindly state why you thought so?"

"His manner indicated it."

"In what way, please?"

"He was very saucy and impudent."

"In what manner was he impudent?"

"He threatened me."

"Simply because you informed him you wouldn't need his services longer?"

"Well, yes, that is about it," answered the witness hesitatingly.

"The court would like to know the exact facts," said Judge Plummer.

"I shall endeavor to give them," answered the witness.

"Then please state in what way he threatened you," said Mr. Farrington.

"It was in his manner. I had to conciliate him to save trouble. I was
absolutely afraid of him."

"In what way did you conc