He neither altered his position nor changed his expression until he and the judge were alone, then, catching the judge's eye, he made what seemed a casual movement with his hand, the three fingers raised; but to the judge this clearly was without significance, and the horse-thief manifested no further interest where he was concerned.

He did not even condescend to answer the one or two civil remarks the judge addressed to him.
As the long afternoon wore itself away, the judge lived through the many stages of doubt and uncertainty, for suppose anything had happened to Mahaffy! When the sheriff came with his supper he asked him if he had seen or heard of his friend.
"Judge, I reckon he's lopin' on yet.

I never seen a man of his years run as well as he done--it was inspirin' how he got over the ground!" answered the sheriff.

Then he attempted conversation with the horse-thief, but was savagely cursed for his pains.

"Well, I don't envy you your company none, sir," he remarked as he took leave of the judge.
Standing before the window, the judge watched the last vestige of light fade from the sky and the stars appear.