"Yours is a clear case of felonous assault."
"No, it ain't, sir--I look at it this-a-ways; it's a clear case
of my giving him the damnedest sort of a body beating!"
"Sir," said the judge, "I'll hold your hat while you are about
it!"
Hicks had taken his time in responding to the judge's summons,
but now his step sounded in the hall and throwing open the door
he entered the room. Whether consciously or not he had acquired
something of that surly, forbidding manner which was
characteristic of his employer. A curt nod of the head was his
only greeting.
"Will you sit down?" asked the judge. Hicks signified by another
movement of the head that he would not. "This is a very dreadful
business!" began the judge softly.
"Ain't it?" agreed Hicks. "What you got to say to me?" he added
petulantly.
"Have you started to drag the bayou?" asked the judge. Hicks
nodded. "That was your idea?" suggested the judge.
"No, it wa'n't," objected Hicks quickly. "But I said she had
been actin' like she was plumb distracted ever since Charley
Norton got shot--"
"How?" inquired the judge, arching his eyebrows. Hicks was
plainly disturbed by the question.
"Sort of out of her head. Mr. Ware seen it, too--"
"He spoke of it?"
"Yes, sir; him and me discussed it together."
The judge regarded Hicks long and intently and in, silence. His
magnificent mind was at work. If Betty had been distraught he
had not observed any sign of it the previous day.
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