THE GLEAM OF THE LIGHT In a single breath the face of Jean Croisset became no more than a mask of what it had been.

The taunting smile left his lips and a gray pallor spread over his face as he saw Howland's finger crooked firmly on the trigger of his revolver.

In another instant there came the sound of a metallic snap.
"Damnation! An empty cartridge!" Howland exclaimed.

"I forgot to load after those three shots at the cup.

It's coming this time, Jean!" Purposely he snapped the second empty cartridge.
"The great God!" gasped Jean.