"The hangin'. An' yeh oughter thank yer lucky stars for havin' a man
what knows his business. I've did it afore now, more'n once, down in the
States, an' I can do it to a T."

"Hang who? Me?"

"Yep."

"Ha! ha! Shust hear der man speak foolishness! Gif me a hand, Bill, und
I vill get up und be hung." He crawled stiffly to his feet and looked
about him. "Herr Gott! listen to der man! He vood hang me! Ho! ho! ho!
I tank not! Yes, I tank not!"

"And I tank yes, you swab," Lawson spoke up mockingly, at the same time
cutting a sled-lashing and coiling it up with ominous care. "Judge Lynch
holds court this day."

"Von liddle while." Jan stepped back from the proffered noose. "I haf
somedings to ask und to make der great proposition. Kentucky, you know
about der Shudge Lynch?"

"Yes, suh. It is an institution of free men and of gentlemen, and it is
an ole one and time-honored. Corruption may wear the robe of magistracy,
suh, but Judge Lynch can always be relied upon to give justice without
court fees. I repeat, suh, without court fees. Law may be bought and
sold, but in this enlightened land justice is free as the air we breathe,
strong as the licker we drink, prompt as--"

"Cut it short! Find out what the beggar wants," interrupted Lawson,
spoiling the peroration.