"Hush! For God's sake speak lower!" cried Marshall, giving way to an uncontrollable emotion of terror.
Racked and shaken, he stared about him as if he feared another presence in the room. The judge leaned forward and rested a thin hand on his son's knee.
"Marshall, what do you know of Gilmore's connection with this matter?"
"I want him let alone! To lay such stress on Montgomery's drunken talk is absurd!"
The judge's lips met in a determined line.
"I scarcely expected to hear that from you! I am not likely, as you know, to be influenced in the discharge of my duty by any private consideration."
He quitted his chair and stood erect, his figure drawn to its fullest height.
"Wait—I didn't mean that," protested Marshall.
The judge resumed his chair.
"What did you mean?" he asked.