dge, powerfully excited, told Mahaffy he
was being understood and appreciated; that the tide of prosperity was
clearly setting his way; that intelligent foresight, not chance, had
determined him when he selected Raleigh instead of Memphis. Thereafter
he spoke of Charley Norton only as "My client," and exalted him for his
breeding, wealth and position, refusing to admit that any man in the
county was held in quite the same esteem. All of which moved Mahaffy to
flashes of grim sarcasm.

The immediate result of Norton's communication had been to send the
judge up the street to the courthouse. He would show his client that he
could be punctual and painstaking. He should have his abstract of title
without delay; moreover, he had in mind a scholarly effort entirely
worthy of himself. The dull facts should be illuminated with an
occasional striking phrase. He considered that it would doubtless be of
interest to Mr. Norton, in this connection, to know something, too, of
mediaeval land tenure, ancient Roman and modern English. He proposed
artfully to pander to his client's literary tastes--assuming that he had
such tastes. But above all, this abstract must be entirely explanatory
of himself, since its final purpose was to remove whatever doubts his
mere appearance might have bred in Mr. Norton's mind.

"If my pocket could just be brought to stand the strain of new clothes
before the next sitting of court, I might reasonably hope for a share of
the pickings," thought the judge.

Entering the court-house, he found himself in a narrow hall. On his
right was the jury-room, and on his left the county clerk's office,
stuffy little holes, each lighted by a single window. Beyond, and
occupying the full width of the building, was the court-room, with its
hard, wooden benches and its staring white walls. Advancing to the door,
which stood open, the judge surveyed the room with the greatest possible
satisfaction. He could fancy it echoing to that eloquence of which he
felt himself to be the master. He would show the world, yet, what was
in him, and especially Solomon Mahaffy, who clearly had not taken his
measure.

Turning away from the agreeable picture his mind had conjured up,
he entered the county clerk's office. He was already known to this
official, whose name was Saul, and he now greeted him with a pleasant
air of patronage. Mr. Saul removed his feet from the top of his desk and
motioned his visitor to a chair; at the same time