"Upon which date the lady was free to marry. You are not, therefore, an old married couple."
"Naturally, your Honor."
"I congratulate you," the judge said pleasantly, giving him a shrewd glance.
"It has been a long attachment."
"Quite so," the judge answered with a bow, "and now that your marriage is accomplished you are taking steps to gain possession of the property?"
"Your Honor states the case exactly," Bofinger said drily. "We are come to take the first steps to acquire possession of the property, subject, of course, to the bond which the law requires for another seven years; although it is sufficiently established that Max Fargus is dead."
"Who says that I am dead?"
At this extraordinary interruption every one in the court-room turned in astonishment.
In the back of the court-room a dark undersized figure had entered unperceived and supporting himself heavily on his cane, had advanced to the middle of the room, where a second time he cried:
"Who says that Max Fargus is dead?"