"Pretty fair, sir," said Mr. Saul.

"Any litigation of unusual interest in prospect?" The judge was
fitting his glasses to the generous arch of his nose, a feature
which nicely indexed its owner's habits.

"No, sir, just the ordinary run of cases."

"I hoped to hear you say different."

"You've set on the bench, sir?" suggested Mr. Saul.

"In one of the eastern counties, but my inclination has never
been toward the judiciary. My temperament, sir, is distinctly
aggressive--and each one according to the gifts with which God
has been graciously pleased to endow him! I am frank to say,
however, that my decisions have received their meed of praise
from men thoroughly competent to speak on such matters." He was
turning the leaves of the ledger as he spoke. Suddenly the
movement of his hand was arrested.

"Found it?" asked Mr. Saul. But the judge gave him no answer;
absorbed and aloof he was staring down at the open pages of the
book. "Found the entry?" repeated Mr. Saul.

"Eh?--what's that? No--" he appeared to hesitate. "Who is this
man Quintard?" The question cost him an effort, that was plain.

"He's the owner of a hundred-thousand-acre tract in this and
abutting counties," said Mr. Saul.