Page 360 (1/2)

Very slowly, and with his eyes fixed in a wide stare upon the

threatening muzzle of the weapon Barnabas held, Mr Chichester,

crossed to the door, hesitated, turned the key, and drawing it from

the lock, stood with it balanced in his hand a moment, and then

tossed it towards Barnabas

Now the key lay within a yard of Barnabas who, stepping forward,

lanced

up at Mr Chichester under his brows, and in that instant also,

Mr Chichester took a swift, backward step towards the hearth;

wherefore, because of this, and because of the look in Mr Chichester's

eyes, Barnabas s, kicked the key into a

far corner

"Co another chair up to the table,

"be seated!" saying which, Barnabas sat down, and, keeping one

pistol levelled, laid the other within Mr Chichester's reach

"They are both loaded, sir," he continued; "but pray assure yourself"

But Mr Chichester stood where he was, his eyes roving swiftly from

Barnabas to the unlatched , froain to where Barnabas sat, pale, s, and with the heavy

weapon levelled across the narrow table; and as he stood thus,

Mr Chichester lifted one white hand to his ers

"Come," repeated Barnabas, "be seated, sir"

But Mr Chichester yet stood utterly still save for the petulant

action of those nervous, twitching fingers