l this splendor--he surreptitiously wiped away a tear,
and when little Steve presented himself and was told to bring whisky,
audibly smacked his lips--a whole lot better, surely!

"I am sorry you think you must hurry away, Judge Price," said Betty. She
still retained the small brown hand Hannibal had thrust into hers.

"The eastern mail gets in to-day, ma'am, and I have reason to think
my share of it will be especially heavy, for it brings the bulk of my
professional correspondence." In ten years the judge had received just
one communication by mail--a bill which had followed him through four
states and seven counties. "I expect my secretary--" boldly fixing
Solomon Mahaffy's status, "is already dipping into it; an excellent
assistant, ma'am, but literary rather than legal."

Little Steve reappeared bearing a silver tray on which was a decanter
and glass.

"Since you insist, ma'am," the judge poured himself a drink, "my best
respects--" he bowed profoundly.

"If you are quite willing, judge, I think I will keep Hannibal. Miss
Bowen, who has been here--since--" her voice broke suddenly.

"I understand, ma'am," said the judge soothingly. He gave her a glance
of great concern and turned to Hannibal. "Dear lad, you'll be very quiet
and obedient, and do exactly as Miss Malroy says? When shall I come for
him, ma'am?"

"I'll send him to you when he is ready to go home. I am thinking of
visiting my friends in North Carolina, and I should like to have him
spend as much time as possible with me before I start for the East."

It had occurred to Betty that she had done little or nothing for the
child; probably this would be her last opportunity.

The state of the judge's feelings was such that with elaborate absence
of mind he poured himself a second drink of whisky; and that there
should be no doubt the act was one of inadvertence, said again, "My best
respects, ma'am," and bowed as before. Putting down the glass he backed
toward the door.

"I trust you will not hesitate to call upon me if I can be of any use to
you, ma'am--a message will bring me here without a moment's delay." He
was rather disappointed that no allusion had been made to his recent
activities. He reasoned correctly that Betty was as yet in ignorance of
the somewhat dangerous eminence he had achieved as the champion of law
and order. However, he reflected with satisfaction that Hannibal, in
remaining, would admirably serve his ends.

Betty insisted th