"Fight!" Judge Kirtley drew his somewhat stooping figure up to its full measure. "Yes, sir, we will fight--to the death! I am an old war horse to be going into battle, but I hope there is one fight left in me! We'll see, anyway." "I should not like to be your opponent, sir,--and I'll tell you this: _I shall not be_." "The laws of the District are against us," said Judge Kirtley, reflectively. "That's a damnable law, Jarvis!" "The whole thing is rotten," answered the attorney. "The District of Columbia has laws on her statute books that would make her a laughing stock for civilized communities if they were generally known. This is one of the most infamous, but there are others just as unreasonable. The whole thing ought to be plowed up and weeded out." "God speed the day! I suppose that child will hold her baby in her arms all night, fearing at every sound that Richard De Jarnette is coming to drag him away from her. And I don't feel sure that he wouldn't if he got a chance. The trouble about these silent fellows is that you never know what they are going to do next. What will be his next move do you suppose?" "Have the will probated, I suppose, and have himself confirmed as guardian and executor." "And then?" "Oh! the Lord knows, Judge! I don't. What could a man do with a child of that age? It is spite work. Nothing short of it." He put his papers carefully away. "Do you think Mrs. De Jarnette is coming down? I shall have to be going. Set me right with her about this matter, will you? I regret exceedingly to have had any part in it." * * * * * When he was gone Judge Kirtley sent up for Margaret. She came down with Philip in her arms. "I would not come," she said, "while that man was here. How could he have done such a thing?... And oh, Judge Kirtley, they can't take him from me, can they? Is there such a cruel law as that?" It seemed crueler to him to-day than ever before, as he looked at the slight creature clinging to her child. "There really is such a law. I have never seen it put to the test, but I feel sure it would not be enforced in such a case as this where there is nothing against your character, and the child is so young." "But when he grows older," she said, quickly, "could he take him then?" "That would have to be tested in the courts, Margaret. You may feel sure of my doing all that can be done." "Oh, I do, I do. But it is so dreadful that it needs to be done. Why should he want Philip? I--I can't understand it. It frightens me. And why does he look at me as he does? It--it makes me feel as if I have done something." "That is doubtless all imagination, but--how long have you noticed this?" the Judge inquired, carelessly. "Ever since the day of the funeral. And even that day when we were together at the inquest. Judge Kirtley ... would he dare to harm Philip if he could get hold of him?"