A glance showed Mahaffy that he was laboring under intense excitement.
"Solomon, I bring shocking news.

God knows what the next few hours may reveal!" cried the judge, mopping his brow.

"Miss Malroy has disappeared from Belle Plain, and Hannibal has gone with her!" "Where have they gone ?" asked Mahaffy, and his long jaw dropped.
"Would to God I had an answer ready for that question, Solomon!" answered the judge, with a melancholy shake of the head.

He gazed down on his friend with an air of large tolerance.

"I am going to Belle Plain, but you are too drunk.