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"Gentle like the

sudden peal of a bell, "I can only thank you for your courtesy in this

o it may be of

soah The speaker

whirled, took one step forward; there was the flash of an extended arainst the wall

As he gazed up, dazed and bewildered, frohts

gli a blue-steel barrel

"Not a move, you red brute," and Hampton spurned him contemptuously

with his heel "This is no variety show, and your laughter was in poor

taste However, if you feel particularly hilarious to-night I 'll give

you another chance I said this was ah!"

He swept the circle of excited faces, his eyes glowing like two

diaht line

"Mr Slavin appears to have lost his previous sense of humor," he

remarked, calmly "I will now aentle"

The heavy, strained breathing of the motionless croas his only

answer, and a half smile of bitter contempt curled Halance

"Not quite so humorous as it seemed to be at first, I reckon," he