Have you seen any thing of him this morning?"

I answered in the negative.

"Nor of Green?"

"No."

"Was Slade about when you left the tavern?"

"I saw nothing of him."

"What Judge Hammond fears may be all too true--that, in the
present condition of Willy's affairs, which have reached the point
of disaster, his tempter means to secure the largest possible
share of property yet in his power to pledge or transfer,--to
squeeze from his victim the last drop of blood that remains, and
then fling him, ruthlessly, from his hands."

"The young man must have been rendered almost desperate, or he
would never have returned, as he did, last night. Did you mention
this to his father?"

"No. It would have distressed him the more, without effecting any
good. He is wretched enough. But time passes, and none is to be
lost now. Will you go with me?"

I walked to the tavern with him; and we went into the bar
together. Two or three men were at the counter, drinking.