all the devious workings of
that magnificent mind; he could fathom the simply hellish ingenuity
he was capable of putting forth to accomplish temporary benefits.
Permitting his thoughts to dwell upon the mingled strength and weakness
which was so curiously blended in Slocum Price's character, he had
horrid visions of that great soul, freed from the trammels of restraint,
confiding his melancholy history to Mr. Pegloe in the hope of bolstering
his fallen credit at the City Tavern.

Always where the judge was concerned he fluctuated between extremes of
doubt and confidence. He felt that under the urgent spur of occasion
his friend could rise to any emergency, while a sustained activity made
demands which he could not satisfy; then his efforts were discounted by
his insane desire to realize at once on his opportunities; in his haste
he was for ever plucking unripe fruit; and though he might keep one eye
on the main chance the other was fixed just as resolutely on the nearest
tavern.

With the great stake which fate had suddenly introduced into their
losing game, he wished earnestly to believe that the judge would stay
quietly in his office and complete the task he had set himself; that
with this off his hands the promise of excitement at Belle Plain
would compel his presence there, when he would pass somewhat under the
restraining influence which he was determined to exert; in short, to
Solomon, life embraced just the one vital consideration, which was to
maintain the judge in a state of sobriety until after his meeting with
Fentress.

The purple of twilight was stealing over the land when he and his two
companions reached Belle Plain. They learned that Tom Ware had returned
from Memphis, that the bayou had been dragged but without results, and
that as yet nothing had been heard from Carrington or the dogs he had
gone for.

Presently Cavendish and Yancy set off across the fields. They were going
on to the raft, to Polly and the six little Cavendishes, whom they had
not seen since early morning; but they promised to be back at Belle
Plain within an hour.

By very nature an alien, Mahaffy sought out a dark corner on the wide
porch that overlooked the river to await their return. The house had
been thrown open, and supper was being served to whoever cared to stay
and partake of it. The murmur of idle purposeless talk drifted out to
him; he was irritated and offended by it. There was something garish
in this indiscrimin