She peered down owl-eyed at Bland through the big goggles.

"This is Arizona--where guns are not loaded with blanks, Mr.Halliday.

I'll prove it if you like.

I'd just _love_ to shoot you!" Bland Halliday drew his feet together as though he intended to run.

Mary V, still peering down through the goggles, shot a spurt of sand over the toe of one scuffed shoe.