“Why not?” asked the judge.

“He’s apparently as high-toned a gentleman as you’d meet with anywhere; polished, sir, so smooth your fingers would slip if you tried to take hold of him, but it’s been commented on that when a horsethief or counterfeiter gets into trouble the colonel’s always first choice for counsel.”

“Get’s ’em off, does he?” The judge spoke somewhat grimly.

“Mighty nigh always.  But then he has most astonishing luck in the matter of witnesses.  That’s been commented on too.”  The judge nodded comprehendingly.  “I reckon you’d call Tom Ware, out at Belle Plain, one of Fentress’ closest friends.  He’s another of your conundrums.  I wouldn’t advise you to be too curious about the colonel.”

“Why not?” The judge was frowning now.

“It will make you unpopular with a certain class.  Those of us who’ve been here long enough have learned that there are some of these conundrums we’d best not ask an answer for.”

The judge pondered this.

“Do you mean to tell me, sir, that freedom of speech is not allowed?” he demanded, with some show of heat.

“Perfect freedom, if you pick and choose your topic,” responded Mr. Saul.

“Humph!” ejaculated the judge.

“Now you might talk to me with all the freedom you like, but I’d recommend you were cautious with strangers.  There have been those who’ve talked freely that have been advised to keep still or harm would come of it.”

“And did harm come of it?” asked the judge.

“They always kept still.”

“What do you mean by talking freely?”

“Like asking how so and so got the money to buy his last batch of niggers,” explained Mr. Saul rather vaguely.

“And Colonel Fentress is one of those about whose affairs it is best not to show too much curiosity?”

“He is, decidedly.  His friends appear to set a heap by him.  Another of his particular intimates is a gentleman by the name of Murrell.”

The judge nodded.

“I’ve met him,” he said briefly.  “Does he belong hereabouts?”

“No, hardly; he seems to hold a sort of roving commission.  His home is, I believe, near Denmark, in Madison County.”

“What’s his antecedents?”

“He’s as common a white man as ever came out of the hills, but he appears to stand well with Colonel Fentress.”

“Colonel Fentress!” The judge spat in sheer disgust.

“You don’t appear to fancy the colonel—­” said Mr. Saul.

“I don’t fancy wearing a gag—­and damned if I do!” cried the judge.

“Oh, it ain’t that exactly; it’s just minding your own business.  I reckon you’ll find there’s lot’s to be said in favor of goin’ ca’mly on attending strictly to your own affairs, sir,” concluded Mr. Saul.

Acting on a sudden impulse, the judge turned to the door.  The business and the hope that had brought him there were forgotten.  He muttered something about returning later, and hastily quitted the office.