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.
"Why ?" inquired the judge.
"Hicks says Miss Malroy's been acting mighty queer ever since Charley Norton was shot--distracted like! He says he noticed it, and that Tom Ware noticed it." "How does he explain the boy's disappearance ?" "He reckons she throwed herself in, and the boy tried to drag her out, like he naturally would, and got drawed in." "Humph! I'll trouble Mr.Hicks to step here," said the judge quietly.
"There's Mr.Carrington and a couple of strangers outside who've been asking about Miss Malroy and the boy, seems like the strangers knowed her and him back yonder in No'th Carolina," said the sheriff as he turned away.
"I'll see them." The sheriff went from the room and the judge dismissed the servants.
"Well, what do you think, Price ?" asked Mahaffy anxiously when they were alone.
"Rubbish! Take my word for it, Solomon, this blow is leveled at me.