"Was Slade about when you left the tavern?"
"I saw nothing of him."
"What Judge Hammond fears may be all too true—that, in the present condition of Willy's affairs, which have reached the point of disaster, his tempter means to secure the largest possible share of property yet in his power to pledge or transfer,—to squeeze from his victim the last drop of blood that remains, and then fling him, ruthlessly, from his hands."
"The young man must have been rendered almost desperate, or he would never have returned, as he did, last night. Did you mention this to his father?"
"No. It would have distressed him the more, without effecting any good. He is wretched enough. But time passes, and none is to be lost now. Will you go with me?"
I walked to the tavern with him; and we went into the bar together. Two or three men were at the counter, drinking.
"Is Mr. Green about this morning?" was asked by the person who had come in search of young Hammond.
"Haven't seen any thing of him."
"Is he in his room?"
"I don't know."