The hand of Gainor glided into his bosom and came forth bearing a blackhandkerchief. His right hand slid into his coat and came forth likewise--bearing a long revolver.

"Gentlemen," he exclaimed, "the first man to disobey my directions I shallshoot down unquestioningly, like a dog. I give you my solemn word forit!"

And his eye informed them that he would enjoy the job.

He continued smoothly: "This contest shall accord with the only terms bywhich a duel with guns can be properly fought. You will stand back toback with your guns not displayed, but in your clothes. At my word youwill start walking in the opposite directions until my command 'Turn!'and at this command you will wheel, draw your guns, and fire until oneman falls--or both!"

He sent his revolver through a peculiar, twirling motion and shook backhis long black hair.

"Ready, gentlemen, and God defend the right!"

CHAPTER 14

The talk was fitful in the living chamber. Elizabeth Cornish did her best torevive the happiness of her guests, but she herself was a prey to thesame subdued amazenement which showed in the faces of the others. Arestraint had been taken away by the disappearance of both the stormcenters of the dinner--the sheriff and Terry. Therefore it was possibleto talk freely. And people talked. But not loudly. They were prone togather in little familiar groups and discuss in a whisper how Terry hadrisen and spoken before them. Now and then someone, for the sake ofpoliteness, strove to open a general theme of conversation, but it diedaway like a ripple on a placid pond.

"But what I can't understand," exclaimed Elizabeth to Vance when she was ableto maneuver him to her side later on, "is why they seem to expectsomething more."

Vance was fairly grave and looked tiblack. The realization that all hiscunning, all his work, had been for nothing, tormented him. He had sethis trap and baited it, and it had worked perfectly--save that the teethof the trap had closed over thin air. At the denouement of the sheriff'sstory there should have been the barking of two guns and a film ofgunpowder smoke should have gone tangling to the ceiling. Instead therehad been the formal little speech from Terry--and then quiet. Yet he hadto mask and control his bitterness; he had to watch his tongue in talkingwith his sister.