Page 118 (1/2)

He walked to the door, flung it swiftly and silently open, and stepping

within, closed it behind hilittered the steel-blue barrel of a drawn revolver

"Slavin, sit down!"

The terse, imperative words seeambler, who had half risen to his feet, an oath upon his

lips, sank back into his seat, staring at the apparition confronting

him as if fascinated Hampton jerked a chair up to the opposite side

of the small table, and planted hiambler's face

"Put your hands on the table, and keep them there!" he said "Now, my

dear friend, I have coht

precautions ed

in a threat or two since we last parted, and I know so of your

ierated, but I am a

careful man, and prefer to have the 'drop,' and so I sincerely hope you

will pardonwhat is really intended as a

friendly call I regret the necessity, but trust you are resting

coo to hell!"

"We will consider that proposition somewhat later" Hampton laid his

hat with calm deliberation on the table "No doubt, Mr Slavin,--if