"
"Get's 'em off, does he?" The judge spoke somewhat grimly.
"Mighty nigh always. But then he has most astonishing luck in
the matter of witnesses. That's been commented on too." The
judge nodded comprehendingly. "I reckon you'd call Tom Ware, out
at Belle Plain, one of Fentress' closest friends. He's another
of your conundrums. I wouldn't advise you to be too curious
about the colonel."
"Why not?" The judge was frowning now.
"It will make you unpopular with a certain class. Those of us
who've been here long enough have learned that there are some of
these conundrums we'd best not ask an answer for."
The judge pondered this.
"Do you mean to tell me, sir, that freedom of speech is not
allowed?" he demanded, with some show of heat.
"Perfect freedom, if you pick and choose your topic," responded
Mr. Saul.
"Humph!" ejaculated the judge.
"Now you might talk to me with all the freedom you like, but I'd
recommend you were cautious with strangers. There have been
those who've talked freely that have been advised to keep still
or harm would come of it."
"And did harm come of it?" asked the judge.
"They always kept still."
"What do you mean by talking freely?"
"Like asking how so and so got the money to buy his last batch of
niggers," explained Mr. Saul rather vaguely.
"And Colonel Fentress is one of those about whose affairs it is
best not to show too much curiosity?"
"He is, decidedly. His friends appear to set a heap by him.
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