He beamed on his friend with a wide sunny smile.
"You mean she needs a lawyer, Price ?" insinuated Mahaffy.
"That slap at me, Solomon, is unworthy of you.

Just name some one, will you, who has shown an interest comparable to mine?
I may say I have devoted my entire energy to her affairs, and with disinterestedness.

I have made myself felt.

Will you mention who else these cutthroats have tried to browbeat and frighten?
They know that my theories and conclusions are a menace to them! I got 'em in a panic, sir--presently some fellow will lose his nerve and light out for the tall timber--and it will be just Judge Slocum Price who's done the trick--no one else!" "Are you looking for some one to take a pot shot at you ?" inquired Mahaffy sourly.
"Your remark uncovers my fondest hope, Solomon--I'd give five years of my life just to be shot at--that would round out the episode of the letter nicely;" again the judge beamed on Mahaffy with that wide and sunny smile of his.
"Why don't you let the boy go alone, Price ?" suggested Mahaffy.
He lacked that sense of sublime confidence in the judge's tact and discretion of which the judge, himself, entertained never a doubt.
"I shall not obtrude myself, Solomon; I shall merely walk out to Belle Plain and leave a civil message.

I know what's due Miss Malroy in her bereaved state--she has sustained no ordinary loss, and in no ordinary fashion.