"Allow me," the judge continued.

"Colonel Fentress--Mr.Mahaffy, Mr.Yancy and Mr.Cavendish." Again the colonel bowed.
"Will you step into the library ?" "Very good," and the judge followed the colonel briskly down the hall.
When they entered the library Fentress turned and took stock of his guests.

Mahaffy he had seen before; Yancy and Cavendish were of course strangers to him, but their appearance explained them; last of all his glance shifted to the judge.

He had heard something of those activities by means of which Slocum Price had striven to distinguish himself, and he had a certain curiosity respecting the man.

It was immediately satisfied.