Ninety-One, attired in the neat frock-coat, which displayed the brawny width of his chest, drew himself to his full height, and gazed upon the judge, long and earnestly, his eyes deep-sunken behind his bushy brows. "Do you think I'd a answered all your questions, hoss, if I hadn't thought you knew somethin' o' my life and had the will and the power to set me right afore the world? Well it's not for my own sake, I wish to be set right, but for the sake of that boy. And afore I answer your question, let me ax another: Did you ever happen to know a man named Doctor Martin Fulmer?" Ninety-One could not see the expression of the judge's face, (for as you are aware, that face was concealed under the shadow of the broad brimmed hat,) but when the judge replied to his question, his voice was marked by perceptible agitation: "I know Dr. Fulmer. In fact,--in fact,--I am often intrusted by him with business. He will be in town to-morrow." "He is alive then," exclaimed Ninety-One. "Well hoss, when you meet Dr. Martin Fulmer, jist tell him that that boy, who was with me, had a parchment about his neck, on which these letters was writ, 'G. G. V. H. C.' The very same," he continued, as if thinking aloud, "which I used to send in a letter, to Dr. Martin Fulmer." "And this boy," almost shrieked the judge, rising, and starting one step forward, on the platform, his corpse-like hand extended toward Ninety-One,--"This boy with the parchment about his neck, where,--where is he now?" CHAPTER VII. "WHERE IS THE CHILD OF GULIAN VAN HUYDEN?" "In the early part of the evenin' I left him in this very house, in company with a gal named Frank,--" The judge interrupted him,--"Bring in the prisoner!" he shouted, and the eleven shuffled into the room, escorting the little gentleman in Turkish jacket and trowsers: "Draw near sir," he beckoned to Ninety-One, "attend this man from this house,--" he pointed to Yorke, "and do with him as I direct you,--thus--" he communicated his directions to Ninety-One, in a rapid tone, broken by emotion, and inaudible to the eleven, "and you gentlemen,--" to the eleven,--"already have your instructions." He paused and then clutched Ninety-One by the hand, the convict endeavoring, although vainly, to gain a glimpse of his features,--"In this house with Frank did you say?" his voice was husky. "In this house, with a gal named Frank," answered Ninety-One. The judge stepped hastily from the platform, and his steps trembling as he went, disappeared through a side door, his hands clasped over his breast. Israel Yorke found himself alone with Ninety-One and the eleven gentlemen with clubs. Ninety-One addressed him in a tone of cheerful politeness: "Come, old cock, you and me's got to travel," he said, covering Israel's right shoulder with his huge hand. Israel, biting his lips with illy suppressed rage, could not help venting the bitterness of his soul, in a single word,-- "Devil," he hissed the word between his set teeth.