The judge drew himself up with an air of lofty pride.

"Do you think I am going to be silenced, intimidated, by this
sort of thing? No, sir! No, Solomon, the stopper isn't made
that will fit my mouth."

A few moments later he burst in on Mr. Saul.

"Glance at that, my friend!" he cried, as he tossed the paper on
the clerk's desk. "Eh, what?--no joke about that, Mr. Saul. I
found it under my door this morning." Mr. Saul glanced at the
penciled lines and drew in his breath sharply. "What do you make
of it, sir?" demanded the judge anxiously.

"Well, of course, you'll do as you please, but I'd keep still."

"You mean you regard this as an authentic expression, sir, and
not as the joke of some irresponsible humorist?"

"It's authentic enough," said Mr. Saul impatiently.

The judge gave a sigh of relief; he could have hugged the little
clerk who had put to rest certain miserable doubts that had
assailed him.

"Sir, I wish it known that I hold the writer and his threats in
contempt; if I have given offense it is to an element I shall
never seek to conciliate." Mr. Saul was clearly divided between
his admiration for the judge's courage and fear for his safety.