he lights."

The promptness with which his orders were obeyed displayed something of
the man. It displayed something more to the two hurrying men. It
suggested to both their minds that the whole thing had been prepared
for. Perhaps even the employees of this man were concerned in their
chief's plot.

As the full light blazed out again it revealed the bartenders still
behind the bar. It showed two men at the main doors, and another at
each of the other entrances. Furthermore, it revealed the drop curtain
lowered on the stage, and the orchestra men peering questioningly, and
not without fearful glances, over the rail which barred them from the
polished dance floor.

Besides these things Pap Shaunbaum was hurrying across the hall. His
mask-like face displayed no sign of emotion. Not even concern. He was
approaching two huddled figures lying amidst a lurid splash of their
own blood. They were barely a yard from each other, and their position
was directly beneath the floor of the box which the "onlookers" had
occupied.

The three men converged at the same moment. It was the sight of John
Kars and Dr. Bill that brought the first sign of emotion to Pap's face.

"Say, this is hell!" he cried. Then, as the doctor knelt beside the
body of Alec Mowbray, the back of whose head, with its tangled mass of
blood-soaked hair, was a great gaping cavity: "He's out. That pore
darn kid's out--sure. Say, I wouldn't have had it happen for ten
thousand dollars."

"No."

It was Kars who replied. Dr. Bill was examining the body of the man
whose clothing was stained with the auriferous soil of his claim.

Two guns were lying on the floor beside the bodies. Pap moved as
though to pick one up. Kars' hand fell on his outstretched arm.

"Don't touch those," he said. "Guess they're for the police."

Pap straightened up on the instant. His dark eyes shot a swift glance
into the face of the man he had for years desired to come into closer
contact with. It was hardly a friendly look. It was questioning, too.

"They'll be around right away. I 'phoned 'em."

Kars nodded.

"Good."

Bill looked up.

"Out. Right out. Both of them. Guess we best wait for the police."

"Can't they be removed?" Pap's eyes were on the doctor.

Kars took it upon himself to reply.

"Not till the p'lice get around."

But Pap would not accept the dictation.

"That so, Doc?" he inquired, ignoring Kars.

"That's so," said Bill, with