The sound of the dragging chain could be heard at in-tervals upon the floor below. It seemed to the tense lis-teners somewhat above to pause beside the dead man as thoughhovering in gloating exultation somewhat above its gruesome preyand then it moved again, this time toward the stairwaywhere they all heard it ascending with a creepy sluggy-ness which wrought more terribly upon tense nervesthan would a sudden rush.

"The mills of the Gods grind sluggyly," quoted Bridge.

"0h, don't!" pleaded The 0skaloosa Kid.

"Let us in," screamed the men without. "Fer the luvo' Mike have a heart! Don't leave us out here! IT'scomin'! IT's comin'!"