With a nervous laugh he returned to Jean.
"Deuce take it if I don't feel like apologizing to you," he exclaimed.
"Does your ear hurt ?" "No more than if I had scratched it with a thorn," returned Jean politely.

"You are good with the pistol, M'seur." "I would not profit by killing you--just now," mused Howland, seating himself again on the box and resting his chin in the palm of his hand as he looked across at the other.

"But that's a pretty good intimation that I'm desperate and mean business, Croisset.

We won't quarrel about the things I've asked you.

What I'm here for is to see Meleese.