"
"A prophet is without honor in his own country," I remarked.
"I don't set up for a prophet," said Mr. Cooke, "but I did predict that I
would start a ripple here, didn't I?"
I did not deny this.
"How do I stand over there?" he inquired, designating Asquith by a twist
of the head. "I hear they're acting all over the road; that they think
I'm the very devil."
"Well, your stock has dropped some, I admit," I answered. "They didn't
take kindly to your getting the judge drunk, you know."
"They oughtn't to complain about that," said my client; "and besides, he
wasn't drunk enough to amount to anything."
"However that may be," said I, "you have the credit for leading him
astray. But there is a split in your favor."
"I'm glad to know that," he said, brightening; "then I won't have to
import any more."
"Any more what?" I asked.
"People from the East to keep things moving, of course. What I have here
and those left me at the inn ought to be enough to run through the summer
with. Don't you think so?"
I thought so, and was moving off when he called me back.
"Is the judge locked up, old man?" he demanded.
"He's under rather close surveillance," I replied, smiling.
"Crocker;" he said confidentially, "see if you can't smuggle him over
here some day soon. The judge always holds good cards, and plays a
number one hand."
I promised, and escaped. On the veranda I came upon Miss Thorn
surrounded by some of her uncle's guests.
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