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Below the Last Nugget she crossed the road and started upon the

return trip In front of this ga, and going in A tall man in black detached

hi

black coat, a black bow tie, and a black so eyes, as black as his dress He wore gloves and

looked immaculate, compared with the other men He, too, spoke to

Joan, turned to ith her She looked straight ahead now,

frightened, and she wanted to run He kept beside her, apparently

talking Joan heard only the low sound of his voice Then he took

her arently, but with familiarity Joan broke froirl alone!"

This must have been yelled, for Joan certainly heard it She

recognized Red Pearce's voice And she wheeled to look Pearce had

overhauled the ga

Involuntarily Joan halted What would happen? The gaestures, as if to explain

But Pearce looked angry

"I'll tell her daddy!" he shouted

Joan waited for no ht Could that have been Kells's intention? Whatever it was, she

had been subjected to a ry, and she thought it ht be just as well to pretend to be