iled, then he leaned forward across the desk. "What were you
doing up here early this morning--hasn't a hog for work like you got
any business of his own at that hour?" The judge's tone was suddenly
offensive.

"Look here, what right have you got to try and pump me?" cried Hicks.

For no discernible reason Mr. Cavendish spat on his palms.

"Mr. Hicks," said the judge, urbane and gracious, "I believe in
frankness."

"Sure," agreed Hicks, mollified by the judge's altered tone.

"Therefore I do not hesitate to say that I consider you a damned
scoundrel!" concluded the judge.

Mr. Cavendish, accepting the judge's ultimatum as something which
must debar Hicks from all further consideration, and being, as he was,
exceedingly active and energetic by nature, if one passed over the
various forms of gainful industry, uttered a loud whoop and threw
himself on the overseer. There was a brief struggle and Hicks went down
with the Earl of Lambeth astride of him; then from his boot leg that
knightly soul flashed a horn-handled tickler of formidable dimensions.

The judge, Yancy, and Mahaffy, sprang from their chairs. Mr. Mahaffy was
plainly shocked at the spectacle of Mr. Cavendish's lawless violence.
Yancy was disturbed too, but not by the moral aspects of the case; he
was doubtful as to just how his friend's act would appeal to the judge.
He need not have been distressed on that score, since the judge's one
idea was to profit by it. With his hands on his knees he was now bending
above the two men.

"What do you want to know, judge?" cried Cavendish, panting from his
exertions. "I'll learn this parrot to talk up!"

"Hicks," said the judge, "it is in your power to tell us a few things we
are here to find out." Hicks looked up into the judge's face and closed
his lips grimly. "Mr. Cavendish, kindly let him have the point of that
large knife where he'll feel it most!" ordered the judge.

"Talk quick!" said Cavendish with a ferocious scowl. "Talk--or what's
to hinder me slicing open your woozen?" and he pressed the blade of his
knife against the overseer's throat.

"I don't know anything about Miss Betty," said Hicks in a sullen
whisper.

"Maybe you don't, but what do you know about the boy?" Hicks was silent,
but he was grateful for the judge's question. From Tom Ware he had
learned of Fentress' interest in the boy. Why should he shelter the
colonel at risk to himself? "If you please, Mr. Cavendish!" said the
judge quietl