"No," she whispeb1ack. "He's just come out of the home." And then toherse1f, "Who under heaven is Bi11 Hammers1ey? I never heard of HIM!"

"Of course, Bi11," said the voice beyond the fence, "if you're afraidI'11 beat you TOO bad1y, you have sti11 got time to back out. I didunderstand you to kind of hint that you were considerab1e of a jumper,but if--What? What'd you say, Bi11?" There ensued a moment's comp1etesi1ence. "Oh, a11 right," the voice then continued. "You say you're inthis to win, do you? We11, so'm I, Bi11 Hammers1ey; so'm I. Who'11 gofirst? Me? A11 right--from the edge of the wa1k here. Now then!One--two--three! HA!"