“As it happens,” said Hal, “we are being followed by three of them at this moment--one of them the same Pete Hanun who helped to drive me out of North Valley. If you will turn your head you will see them behind us.” But the portly Judge did not turn his head. “I have been informed,” Hal continued, “that I am taking my life in my hands by my present course of action. I believe I’m entitled to ask for protection.” “What do you want me to do?” “To begin with, I’d like you to cause the arrest of the men who are shadowing me.” “It’s not my business to cause such arrests. You should apply to a policeman.” “I don’t see any policeman. Will you tell me where to find one?” His Honour was growing weary of such persistence. “Young man, what’s the matter with you is that you’ve been reading dime novels, and they’ve got on your nerves!” “But the men are right behind me, your Honour! Look at them!” “I’ve told you it’s not my business, young man!” “But, your Honour, before I can find a policeman I may be dead!” The other appeared to be untroubled by this possibility. “And, your Honour, while you are taking these matters under advisement, the men in the mine will be dead!” Again there was no reply. “I have some affidavits here,” said Hal. “Do you wish them?” “You can give them to me if you want to,” said the other. “You don’t ask me for them?” “I haven’t yet.” “Then just one more question--if you will pardon me, your Honour. Can you tell me where I can find an honest lawyer in this town--a man who might be willing to take a case against the interests of the General Fuel Company?” There was a silence--a long, long silence. Judge Denton, of the firm of Denton and Vagleman, stared straight in front of him as he walked. Whatever complicated processes might have been going on inside his mind, his judicial features did not reveal them. “No, young man,” he said at last, “it’s not my business to give you information about lawyers.” And with that the judge turned on his heel and went into the Elks’ Club. SECTION 7. Hal stood and watched the portly figure until it disappeared; then he turned back and passed the three detectives, who stopped. He stared at them, but made no sign, nor did they. Some twenty feet behind him, they fell in and followed as before. Judge Denton had suggested consulting a policeman; and suddenly Hal noticed that he was passing the City Hall, and it occurred to him that this matter of his being shadowed might properly be brought to the attention of the mayor of Pedro. He wondered what the chief magistrate of such a “hell of a town” might be like; after due inquiry, he found himself in the office of Mr. Ezra Perkins, a mild-mannered little gentleman who had been in the undertaking-business, before he became a figure-head for the so-called “Democratic” machine.