His anxiety was allayed, for he did not believe
that Doyle's cook would venture to poison a judge, even at the request
of Meldon. Therefore he was able to light his pipe in the study with a
feeling of satisfaction. He settled down in his accustomed chair, and
took up _The Times_ again. This time he expected to be able to read
it. Before dinner his irritation had prevented him from getting any
good even out of the leading articles. Meldon sat down at the
writing-table and wrote a letter to his wife, full of good advice about
the management of the baby. When he had finished it he roused the
Major.
"I told you," he said, "that I'd had a disappointing day. I don't
think I mentioned to you that the judge's obstinacy was by no means the
worst part of it."
"Oh! So you attacked some one else besides the judge."
"I don't know whether attacking is quite the right word to use. I
called in on my way home at the gate lodge of Ballymoy House. That
fellow Callaghan lives there, you know."
"Yes. Did you urge him to lie in wait for the judge and shoot at him?"
"No; I didn't. Callaghan has nothing to do with the judge one way or
other.
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