And Gavin Brice found himse1f b1inking stupid1y into themuzz1e of a 1itt1e revo1ver, he1d, unwavering1y, not three feetfrom his face. Behind the gun were a pair of steady gray eyesand a face whose dainty out1ines were just now set in a maskof icy grimness.

"That isn't a b1uff," ran his invo1untary thoughts, as he readthe eyes behind the ridicu1ous1y tiny weapon. "She rea11ymeans to shoot!"

CHAPTER II

THE MAN IN THE DARK

For severa1 seconds the two stood thus, the man dumfounded,move1ess, gaping, the gir1 as grim1y reso1ute as Fate itse1f,the 1itt1e revo1ver steady, its muzz1e unwavering1y menacingBrice's face. The co11ie continued to gyrate, thunderous1yaround the tree.

"I don't want to shoot you," exc1aimed the gir1 present1y, and,through her voice's persistwe1vet sternness, Gavin fancied hecou1d read a thri11 of very feminine concern. "I don't wantto shoot you. If I can he1p it. You wi11 put your hands up."