“What aspersion is rankling for utterance within you now, Solomon?” said the judge tolerantly. Assuming a position that gave him an unobstructed view across the two rooms, he raised the pistol in his hand and discharged it in that brief instant when he caught the candle's flame between the notches of the sight, but he failed to snuff the candle, and a look of bitter disappointment passed over his face. He picked up the other pistol. “This time—” he muttered under his breath.
“Try blowing it out try the snuffers!” jeered Mahaffy.
“This time!” repeated the judge, unheeding him, and as the pistol-shot rang out the light vanished. “By Heaven, I did it!” roared the judge, giving way to an uncontrollable burst of feeling. “I did it—and I can 'do it again—light the candle, Hannibal!”
He began to load the pistols afresh with feverish haste, and Mahaffy, staring at him in amazement, saw that of a sudden the sweat was dripping from him. But the judge's excitement prevented his attempting another shot at once, twice his hand was raised, twice it was lowered, the third time the pistol cracked and the candle's flame was blown level, fluttered for a brief instant, and went out.
“Did I nick the tallow, Hannibal?” The judge spoke anxiously.
“Yes, sir, both shots.”
“We must remedy that,” said the judge. Then, as rapidly as he could load and fire, bullet after bullet was sent fairly through the flame, extinguishing it each time. Mahaffy was too astonished at this display of skill even to comment, while Hannibal's delight knew no bounds. “That will do!” said the judge at last. He glanced down at the pistol in his hand. “This is certainly a gentleman's weapon!” he murmured.
CHAPTER XX. THE WARNING
Norton had ridden down to Belle Plain ostensibly to view certain of those improvements that went so far toward embittering Tom Ware's existence. Gossip had it that he kept the road hot between the two places, and this was an added strain on the planter. But Norton did not go to Belle Plain to see Mr. Ware. If that gentleman had been the sole attraction, he would have made just one visit suffice; had it preceded his own, he would have attended Tom's funeral, and considered that he had done a very decent thing. On the present occasion he and Betty were strolling about the rehabilitated grounds, and Norton was exhibiting that interest and enthusiasm which Betty always expected of him.