"Hello, Judge!" he said.
The man looked up sternly.
"You are Mr. Hawkins?" he inquired.
Ferret, taken aback by this, could only nod.
"You wish to see me?" came the question.
"Yes— er— Mr. Traver," said Ferret. A broad grin appeared upon the gray-haired man's face. He arose and walked over to Ferret. He shoved out his hand, and Ferret accepted it with another grin.
"Glad to see you, Ferret," said Judge, in a pleased tone. "Major wired me that you would be here first. You made good time. Have you been behaving yourself?"
"Yes," lied Ferret.
He met Judge's cold, questioning stare. The other man appeared satisfied. Ferret was inwardly relieved. Major might be shrewd, but he could not compare with Judge. This man, despite an expression of benignity that cloaked his countenance, was one who could not be easily deceived.
"Sit down," invited Judge.