Pop and the constable left. Ike and Bucky chuckled. Pal sat down,
expectant eyes fixed on the hand that held Jeff's mouth organ. He knew
now where the sound originated, and he was ready the instant Jeff raised
his hand. Pop and the constable, their faces entreating rather than
commanding, came back.
"Can't you make him shut up?"
"I told him. You heard me tell him."
"We can't have that noise."
"Why not?" Ike jeered. "Does it keep all the workers in the court house
awake?"
"Judge Carlson's trying to work," the constable said. "He'll be working
until nine tonight."
"Thought you said he'd gone fishing?" Jeff accused Pop.
"That's Justice Murphy. He hears all the cases where no more than fifty
dollars is involved."
"Don't make the judge mad!" Ike chortled. "What if he gets real upset?"
"Can't you make him shut up?" the constable pleaded.
"I'll try."
The two went back to the desk. A match flared there, and an oil lamp
cast its yellow glow into the corridor; apparently night was
approaching. The constable left and Jeff pocketed the mouth organ. Five
minutes later he brought it out again and once more Pal wrecked the
silence. The door burst open, slammed shut, and Pop and the constable
stood before Jeff's cell.