and the hour of judgment was at hand.

It is possible that, in this sudden revulsion of hope, and before these

symptoms of impending danger, Archie might have fled. But not even that

was left to him. My lord, after hanging up his cloak and hat, turned

round in the lighted entry, and made him an imperative and silent

gesture with his thumb, and with the strange instinct of obedience,

Archie followed him into the house.

All dinner-time there reigned over the Judge's table a palpable silence,

and as soon as the solids were despatched he rose to his feet.

"M'Killup, tak' the wine into my room," said he; and then to his son:

"Archie, you and me has to have a talk."

It was at this sickening moment that Archie's courage, for the first and

last time, entirely deserted him. "I have an appointment," said he.

"It'll have to be broken, then," said Hermiston, and led the way into

his study.

The lamp was shaded, the fire trimmed to a nicety, the table covered

deep with orderly documents, the backs of law books made a frame upon

all sides that was only broken by the window and the doors.

For a moment Hermiston warmed his hands at the fire, presenting his back

to Archie; then suddenly disclosed on him the terrors of the Hanging

Face.

"What's this I hear of ye?" he asked.

There was no answer possible to Archie.

"I'll have to tell ye, then," pursued Hermiston. "It seems ye've been

skirting against the father that begot ye, and one of his Maijesty's

Judges in this land; and that in the public street, and while an order

of the Court was being executit. Forbye which, it would appear that

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