Page:The traitor; a story of the fall of the invisible empire (IA traitorstoryoffa00dixo).pdf/38

 John kept his seat in sullen silence until the shuffling footsteps of his enemy had descended the stairs and crossed half the space of the hall.

The younger man rose and gazed at him a moment, his eyes flashing with hatred he could no longer mask.

The Judge halted, moved his feet nervously and fumbled at the big gold watch-chain he wore across his ponderous waist. His shifting bead eyes sought the floor, and then he suddenly lifted his drooping head like a turtle, approached John; in a fawning, creeping, half-walk, half-shuffle, and extended his hand.

"I bid you welcome, young man, to the old home of your ancestors. In fact, I'm delighted to see you. I heard to-day that you would probably call this evening, and had the servants illuminate every room in your honour."

"Indeed!" John sneered.

"Yes, I've wished for some time that I might have such an opportunity to talk things over with you."

John had turned from the proffered hand and seated himself with deliberate insolence.

"Thanks for the illuminations in honour of my family!"

The sneer with which he spoke was not lost on the Judge. His patronising judicial air, so newly acquired, wavered before the cold threat of the