He crossed the lawn to the house, and mounted the steps.

In the doorway was big Steve, while groups of men stood about in the hall, the hum of busy purposeless talk pervading the place.

The judge frowned.
This was all wrong.
"Has Mr.Ware returned from Memphis ?" he asked of Steve.
"No, Sah; not yet." "Then show me into the library," said the judge with bland authority, surrendering his hat to the butler.

"Come along, Mahaffy!" he added.
They entered the library, and the judge motioned Steve to close the door.

"Now, boy, you'll kindly ask those people to withdraw--you may say it is Judge Price's orders.