Then Murphy turned his head, and looked
back into the other's face.
CHAPTER IV
THE VERGE OF CONFESSION
Murphy uttered one sputtering cry of surprise, flinging his hand
instinctively to his hip, but attempted no more. Hampton's ready
weapon was thrusting its muzzle into the astounded face, and the gray
eyes gleaming along the polished barrel held the fellow motionless.
"Hands up! Not a move, Murphy! I have the drop!" The voice was low,
but stern, and the old frontiersman obeyed mechanically, although his
seamed face was fairly distorted with rage.
"You! Damn you!--I thought I knew--the voice."
"Yes, I am here all right. Rather odd place for us to meet, isn't it?
But, you see, you've had the advantage all these years; you knew whom
you were running away from, while I was compelled to plod along in the
dark. But I 've caught up just the same, if it has been a long race."
"What do ye--want me fer?" The look in the face was cunning.
"Hold your hands quiet--higher, you fool! That's it. Now, don't play
with me. I honestly didn 't know for certain I did want you, Murphy,
when I first started out on this trip.
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