ng that time the love
of the sensational, which is at the root of much so-called communal
interest, was fed by the excitement of the nominal proceedings against
Luigi Poggi. On the night of Champney's flight he went to Father Honore
and Elmer Wiggins, and confessed his complicity in the affair at the
sheepfold. Within ten days, however, the Italian had been exonerated for
his attack on the escaped criminal; nor was the slightest blame attached
to such action on his part. He had been duly sworn in by the Colonel,
and was justified in laying hands on the fugitive, although the wisdom
of tackling a man, who was in such desperate straits, of his own accord
and alone was questioned. Not once during the sharp cross examination,
to which he was subjected by Emlie and the side-judge, was Aileen's name
mentioned--nor did he mention it to Father Honore. Her secret was to be
kept.

During those two weeks of misery and suspense for all who loved Champney
Googe, Octavius Buzzby was making up his mind on a certain subject. Now
that it was fully made up, his knock on the library door sounded more
like a challenge than a plea for admittance.

"Come in, Octavius."

Mrs. Champney was writing. She pushed aside the pad and, moving her
chair, faced him. Octavius noted the uncompromising tone of voice when
she bade him enter, and the hard-set lines of her face as she turned
inquiringly towards him. For a moment his courage flagged; then the
righteousness of his cause triumphed. He closed the door behind him.
This was not his custom, and Mrs. Champney looked her surprise.

"Anything unusual, Octavius?"

"I want a talk with you, Mrs. Champney."

"Sit down then." She motioned to a chair; but Octavius shook his head.

"I can say all I've got to say standing; it ain't much, but it's to the
point."

Mrs. Champney removed her glasses and swung them leisurely back and
forth on their gold chain. "Well, to the point, then."

He felt the challenge implied in her words and accepted it.

"I've served this estate pretty faithful for hard on to thirty-seven
years. I've served the Judge, and I've served his son, and now I'm going
to work to save the man that's named for that son--"

Mrs. Champney interrupted him sharply, decisively.

"That will do, Octavius. There is no occasion for you to tell me this; I
knew from the first you would champion his cause--no matter how bad a
one. We'll drop the subject; you must be aware it is not a particularl