Yet, truly, I think you do
understand this joke. Your memory can scarcely be failing at your
age.--Make another motion like that and you die right there! You know
me.--However, as you seem to shy over my first question, I 'll honor
you with a second,--Where's Silent Murphy?"
Slavin's great square jaws set, a froth oozing from between his thick
lips, and for an instant the other man believed that in his paroxysm of
rage he would hurl himself across the table. Then suddenly the
ungainly brute went limp, his face grown haggard.
"You devil!" he roared, "what do you mean?"
Surprised as Hampton was by this complete breaking down, he knew his
man far too well to yield him the slightest opportunity for treachery.
With revolver hand resting on the table, the muzzle pointing at the
giant's heart, he leaned forward, utterly remorseless now, and keen as
an Indian on the trail.
"Do you know who I am?"
The horror in Slavin's eyes had changed to sullenness, but he nodded
silently.
"How do you know?"
There was no reply, although the thick lips appeared to move.
"Answer me, you red sneak! Do you think I am here to be played with?
Answer!"
Slavin gulped down something which seemed threatening to choke him, but
he durst not lift a hand to wipe the sweat from his face.
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