“Aren't you forgetting the boy?” inquired Mahaffy. “No, sir! I regard my obligations where he is concerned as a sacred trust to be administered in a lofty and impersonal manner. If his friends--if Miss Malroy, for instance--cares to make me the instrument of her benefactions, I'll not be disposed to stand on my dignity; but his education shall be my care. I'll make such a lawyer of him as America has not seen before! I don't ask you to accept my own opinion of my fitness to do this, but two gentlemen with whom I talked this evening--one of them was the justice of the peace--were pleased to say that they had never heard such illuminating comments on the criminal law. I quoted the Greeks and Romans to 'em, sir; I gave 'em the salient points on mediaeval law; and they were dumfounded and speechless. I reckon they'd never heard such an exposition of fundamental principles; I showed 'em the germ and I showed 'em fruition. Damn it, sir, they were overwhelmed by the array of facts I marshaled for 'em. They said they'd never met with such erudition--no more they had, for I boiled down thirty years of study into ten minutes of talk! I flogged 'em with facts, and then we drank--” The judge smacked his lips. “It is this free-handed hospitality I like; it's this that gives life its gala aspect.” He forgot former experiences; but without this kindly refusal of memory to perform its wonted functions, the world would have been a chill place indeed for Slocum Price. But Mahaffy, keen and anxious, with doubt in every glass he drained, a lurking devil to grin at him above the rim, could see only the end of their brief hour of welcome. This made the present moment as bitter as the last. “I have a theory, Solomon, that I shall be handsomely supported by my new friends. They'll snatch at the opportunity.” “I see 'em snatching, Mr. Price,” said Mahaffy grimly. “That's right--go on and plant doubt in my heart if you can! You're as hopeless as the grave side!” cried the judge, a spasm of rage shaking him. “The thing for us to do--you and I, Price--is to clear out of here,” said Mahaffy. “But what of the boy?” “Leave him with his friends.” “How do you know Miss Malroy would be willing to assume his care? It's scandalous the way you leap at conclusions. No, Solomon, no--I won't shirk a single irksome responsibility,” and the judge's voice shook with suppressed emotion. Mahaffy laughed. “There you go again, Solomon, with that indecent mirth of yours! Friendship aside, you grow more offensive every day.” The judge paused and then resumed. “I understand there's a federal judgeship vacant here. The president--” Mr. Mahaffy gave him a furtive leer. “I tell you General Jackson was my friend--we were brothers, sir--I stood at his side on the glorious blood-wet field of New Orleans! You don't believe me--” “Price, you've made more demands on my stock of credulity than any man I've ever known!” The judge became somber-faced.