She denied it, but--" "And you knew her so well, too.

I guess you've had some bad nights yourself, Bennett, with that always on your mind--" "I swore I'd have you--" "-- and so you put her blood on my head, and made me an outlaw." After an instant: "Why did you tell me this, anyhow ?" "It's our last talk, and I wanted you to know how well my hate worked." "Well, I guess that's all," said Gale.

So far they had watched each other with unwavering, unblinking eyes, straining at the leash and taut in every nerve.

Now, however, the trader's fingers tightened on the knife-handle, and his knuckles whitened with the grip, at which Stark's right hand swept to his waist, and simultaneously Gale lunged across the table.

His blade nickered in the light, and a gun spoke, once--twice--again and again.