noon
Also , he had in his possession a one-dollar bill which had come to him in the way of trade and which local experts had declared to be a spurious production . He passed it in between the bars and demanded the judge 's opinion of it as though he were the first authority in the land . But he went no wiser than he came . It was nearing the noon hour when the judge 's solitude was again invaded . He first heard the distant murmur of voices on the road and passed an uneasy and restless ten minutes , with his eye to a crack in the door . He was soothed and reassured , however , when at last he caught sight of the sheriff . `` Well , judge , I got company for you , '' cried the sheriff cheerfully , as he threw open the door .