Would Mahaffy come?
The suspense was intolerable.

It was possibly eight o'clock.

He could not reasonably expect Mahaffy until nine or half past; to come earlier would be too great a risk.

Suddenly out of the silence sounded a long-drawn whistle.
Three times it was repeated.

The horse-thief leaped to his feet.
"Neighbor, that means me!" he cried.
The moon was rising now, and by its light the judge saw a number of horsemen appear on the edge of the woods.