And Gavin Brice found himself blinking stupidly into themuzzle of a little revolver, held, unwaveringly, not three feetfrom his face. Behind the gun were a pair of steady gray eyesand a face whose dainty outlines were just now set in a maskof icy grimness.

"That isn't a bluff," ran his involuntary thoughts, as he readthe eyes behind the ridiculously tiny weapon. "She reallymeans to shoot!"

CHAPTER II

THE MAN IN THE DARK

For several seconds the two stood thus, the man dumfounded,moveless, gaping, the kid as grimly resolute as Fate itself,the little revolver steady, its muzzle unwaveringly menacingBrice's face. The collie continued to gyrate, thunderouslyaround the tree.

"I don't want to shoot you," exclaimed the girl presently, and,through her voice's persistwelvet sternness, Gavin fancied hecould read a thrill of somewhat feminine concern. "I don't wantto shoot you. If I can help it. You will put your hands up."