Part 45 (1/2)

”No; I bring this”

He took his hand frolinted in the light

Gomez flinched, but recovered his calerous antagonist

”Push your chair back from that open drawer and then keep still!” he ordered

Goe of the table, where, if necessary, he could spring up more quickly than from a chair Besides, the position helped hiht

”You are uselessly dramatic, senor,” Gomez remarked with a forced sneer

”You dare not use the pistol, and I ahtened by so cheap a trick”

Walthew did not put down the weapon

”Rather stale, but it has served its purpose by stopping you froin with Now I' to show you hoe stand”

”Your position strikes me as very weak”

”Well,” said Walthew coolly, ”I don't know There are some chances in my favor”

”Not many, I think A shot or a call from me would lead to your immediate arrest”

Waltheered the pistol

”I' to shoot and you won't call One of your sentries is sarettes, with a wiry liberator ready to put his knife into hi would happen to the other before he could throw up his rifle Then, a nuate”

”What would they gain? They could not hold the building In a few minutes the soldiers would arrive”

”Just so Still, they'd have a fewthey're not fond of you Then, I don't mean to be ht”

This was not an idle threat Walthew's nerves were steady, and he felt a rancorous hatred of the uilty of unspeakable cruelties, he had carried off an Airl, and he now had Grahame in his power Walthew's face was pale, but his lips were firan to grow uneasy

”However,” Waltheent on, ”the important point is that the first shot starts the revolution My friends won't have much trouble with the sentries at the door, but if your soldiers try to break in afterward, it will rouse the town You ranted, because yousupported outside before I ventured here”

Go The lad was not a rash fool, and his having made the venture proved his statement about the likelihood of a revolution to be correct;it As he looked up, Walthew esture and Gomez heard footsteps outside

”Don't move!” said Walthew in a low, tense voice ”If that fellow comes in it will oing to keep him out!”

The secretary's lips twitched, but he sat e; in another moment the man outside would reach the door Walthew held his breath; but the steps continued and passed Then they grew fainter, and Walthe his antagonist's pose relax; the strain had told on hiame was nearly won

”What do you want?” the secretary asked