on
bodily hurt to his victim. But his leap fell short by reason of
Sunny's agility. The latter snatched up the oil-lamp and dodged behind
the table, with the result that Toby's great body sent the candles
flying, and itself fell amidst the legs of the upset table. He was on
his feet in an instant, however, ready to continue with all his might
his vengeful pursuit. But the heavy hand of Bill fell upon his coat
collar with irresistible force, and, with a jerk, he was hurled across
the room out of harm's way.

"Ther's more hell to the back o' that if you come ag'in, Toby," the
gambler cried, with cold threat. "An' as for you, Sunny," he went on,
turning on the Trust secretary, "I'll set the boys to wash you clean
in Minky's trough if you so much as smile ag'in till we're through.
Fix them candles, an' sit right down--the lot of you."

He stood for a moment eyeing the lurid face of Toby. Nor did he move
until the burly remittance man had pulled himself together. He watched
him settle himself again on the foot of the bunk, passive but inwardly
raging. Then, as the candles were once more replaced in the bottles
and lit, he calmly picked up his document and returned to his couch.
The whole episode passed in a few moments, and outward equanimity was
quickly restored. Such was the hot, impulsive nature of these men.

The president lost no time in proceeding with the business in hand. He
addressed his friends generally.

"I ain't goin' to say a word 'bout the elegant information gathered by
our bright junior member," he said slowly. "You've all heard it, an' I
guess that's sure all that's needed. Wher' he got it, is his
funeral--or should be. Leastways, if it ain't satisfact'ry it shows
laudable enterprise on his part--which is good for this yer Trust."

He paused and referred to his document. And in that moment, burning to
further crush Toby, and add to his own glorification by reason of the
superiority of his information, Sandy cleared his throat to speak.
This was to be the moment of his triumph. He meant to wipe out the
memory of past failures in one sweep.

"I consulted a lady friend of mine--" he began. But Bill waved him to
silence.

"You needn't worry nothin'," he said coldly. "I got it all wrote down
here."

"How you got it?" cried Sandy. "I ain't said it."

Bill's eyes met the other's angry glance with that cold irony that was
so much a part of his nature.

"Guess your leddy friend wrote it," he said. And,