he judge snapped his
fingers.

The boy stared at him wonderingly. The judge interpreted his thought.

"The gulf is fixed, because the will, which is the only thing that can
bridge it, is the first thing to be destroyed. Where there is no will to
fight there is no fight. And you think, too, that this advice comes
strangely from me. But who can speak with greater authority--I, or the
man who never took a drink in his life?"

"You, of course," Angus admitted.

"Yes, I," said the judge. "And I tell you who are on the threshold of
manhood to let liquor alone; not because there is nothing in it, as you
say in your ignorance, but because there are most things--or the
semblance of most things--in it that the heart of man desires. Remember
not to prove these things. That's all I have to say on the subject. And
now clear out, for I am busy."

But when Angus had gone the judge did not appear to be very busy. He
filled a disreputable old pipe with a somewhat shaky hand, and lighting
it passed into a period of reflection. At the end of it he put on his
hat and proceeded up the street to Mr. Braden's office.

Mr. Braden, spick and span and freshly shaven, enjoying a very good
cigar, looked with surprise and some distaste at the rumpled, unpressed
clothes, unshaven cheeks and untidy hair of the old lawyer. He had
little or no use for him.

"And what is it this morning, judge?" he asked.

"Mackay estate," said the judge.

Mr. Braden's eyes closed a little.

"Yes, I know you drew Mackay's will," he admitted, "but Crosby and Parks
do all my business, and of course--"

"Wrong foot," said the judge, "I'm not asking for any of your business,
Braden. Angus Mackay tells me you were speaking of renting the ranch,
and he wanted to know if you had the power to do it."

"Of course I have," Mr. Braden asserted. "The boy--"

"I told him," the judge went on, "that whether you had the power or not,
it was most unlikely that you would exercise it."

"What do you know about it?" Mr. Braden demanded brusquely.

"Not a great deal just yet; but enough to tell him that."

"Well, that may be your personal opinion. I haven't made up my mind yet.
But if I consider it in the interests of the estate to rent the ranch to
a competent man I shall most certainly do so."

"Poole a competent man?" the judge queried.

"I believe so. What do you know about him?"

"Not a great deal--yet," the judge returned again. "What makes you think
it would b