"Then you knew this?"
"Of course I knew--wa'n't it my business to know? I reckon he
was off skylarking, and when he'd seen the mess he'd made, the
trifling fool took to the woods. Well, he catches it when I lay
hands on him!"
"Do you know when and under what circumstances the team was
stabled, Mr. Hicks?" inquired the judge.
"No, I don't, but I reckon it must have been along after dark,"
said Hicks unwillingly. "I seen to the feeding just after
sundown like I always do, then I went to supper," Hicks
vouchsafed to explain.
"And no one saw or heard the team drive in?"
"Not as I know of," said Hicks.
"Mas'r Ca'ington's done gone off to get a pack of dawgs--he 'lows
hit's might' important to find what's come of George," said
Steve.
Hicks started violently at this piece of news.
"I reckon he'll have to travel a right smart distance to find a
pack of dogs," he muttered. "I don't know of none this side of
Colonel Bates' down below Girard."
The judge was lost in thought. He permitted an interval of
silence to elapse in which Hicks' glance slid round in a furtive
circle.
"When did Mr. Ware set out for Memphis?" asked the judge at
length.
"Early yesterday. He goes there pretty often on business."
"You talked with Mr. Ware before he left?" Hicks nodded. "Did he
speak of Miss Malroy?" Hicks shook his head. "Did you see her
during the afternoon?"
"No--maybe you think these niggers ain't enough to keep a man
stirring?" said Hicks uneasily and with a scowl.
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