There was a brief struggle
and Hicks went down with the Earl of Lambeth astride of him; then
from his boot leg that knightly soul flashed a horn-handled
tickler of formidable dimensions.
The judge, Yancy, and Mahaffy, sprang from their chairs. Mr.
Mahaffy was plainly shocked at the spectacle of Mr. Cavendish's
lawless violence. Yancy was disturbed too, but not by the moral
aspects of the case; he was doubtful as to just how his friend's
act would appeal to the judge. He need not have been distressed
on that score, since the judge's one idea was to profit by it.
With his hands on his knees he was now bending above the two men.
"What do you want to know, judge?" cried Cavendish, panting from
his exertions. "I'll learn this parrot to talk up!"
"Hicks," said the judge, "it is in your power to tell us a few
things we are here to find out." Hicks looked up into the
judge's face and closed his lips grimly. "Mr. Cavendish, kindly
let him have the point of that large knife where he'll feel it
most!" ordered the judge.
"Talk quick!" said Cavendish with a ferocious scowl. "Talk--or
what's to hinder me slicing open your woozen?" and he pressed the
blade of his knife against the overseer's throat.
"I don't know anything about Miss Betty," said Hicks in a sullen
whisper.
"Maybe you don't, but what do you know about the boy?" Hicks was
silent, but he was grateful for the judge's question. From Tom
Ware he had learned of Fentress' interest in the boy.
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