A crowd collected
beyond the library windows and feasted its eyes on the back of
this hero's bald head.
One by one the house servants were ushered into the judge's
presence. First he interrogated little Steve, who had gone to
Miss Betty's door that morning to rouse her, as was his custom.
Next he examined Betty's maid; then the cook, and various house
servants, who had nothing especial to tell, but told it at
considerable. length; and lastly big Steve.
"Stop a bit," the judge suddenly interrupted the butler in the
midst of his narrative. "Does the overseer always come up to the
house the first thing in the morning?"
"Why, not exactly, Sah, but he come up this mo'ning, Sah. He was
talking to me at the back of the house, when the women run out
with the word that Missy was done gone away."
"He joined in the search?"
"Yes, Sah.''
"When was Miss Malroy seen last?" asked the judge.
"She and the young gemman you fotched heah were seen in the
gyarden along about sundown. I seen them myself."
"They had had supper?"
"Yes, Sah."
"Who sleeps here?"
"Just little Steve and three of the women, they sleeps at the
back of the house, Sah.''
"No sounds were heard during the night?"
"No, Sah."
"I'll see the overseer--what's his name?--Hicks? Suppose you go
for him!" said the judge, addressing the sheriff.
The sheriff was gone from the room only a few moments, and
returned with the information that Hicks was down at the bayou,
which was to be dragged.
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