He generally turns up fer meals. He ‘lowed he had business here for another week yet.”

Alan thanked her and departed, feeling reasonably sure that he knew his man, yet still uncertain what he ought to do next. If only Judge Whiteley were at home.

The day wore on, the store full most of the time. The story of the burglar was beginning to seep out in spite of Alan’s efforts to have it kept quiet. Many people came in to ask questions, which made it none the easier, and the hour of five o’clock was drawing on. Rawlins’s representative would soon be there. Perhaps he ought to have told the police. He could have confided in Bill Atley. He knew how to keep his mouth shut. But Bill was chief and was on night duty this week. He would be asleep yet. And already it was five minutes after four. In despair he put his head down on the desk and began to pray. Joe had taken a customer down cellar to look over some different sizes of chicken wire, and there was no one else around for the moment. In panic and humiliation he prayed, “Oh God! I don’t know what to do. I can’t do this alone. There’s no one else but You to ask. Won’t You help me somehow quick? For Dad’s sake, won’t You help? For goodness’ sake— I’ve got to the limit.”

There were hot tears stinging his eyes and he felt an overwhelming wave, like a sob, welling up uncontrollably from somewhere, just as if he had been a little kid. He must snap out of this somehow. He was a man.

But suddenly, the telephone rang sharply in his ear.

He jumped and found his hand trembling as he reached for the receiver. It was probably that snake Rawlins, or his man, and he wasn’t ready for him yet. What should he do?

“Hello,” he said weakly. His voice was almost too husky to be heard.

“Hello!” It was Judge Whiteley’s voice that boomed over the wire. “Is that you, Alan? This is Whiteley. They tell me at the house you’ve been trying to get me several times. Is there anything important? Called the house and your mother told me about your father’s accident. Anything I can do? I’m mighty sorry about it. I’m at Socker’s Point. Came up yesterday to try a case and couldn’t get away last night. Thought I’d better call you.”

“Oh yes!” said Alan eagerly.