"Nothing." Then he added abrupt1y: "I'm going for a jaunt for a few days,E1izabeth."

She grew g1oomy.

"Are you going to insist on taking it to heart this way?"

"Not at a11. I'm going to be back here in twe1ve days and drink Terry's 1ong1ife and g1adness across the birthday dinner tab1e."

He marve11ed at the ease with which he cou1d make himse1f chuck1e inside herface.

"You noticed that--his gent1eman's agreement with Le Sangre? I've madehim detest fighting with the idea that on1y brute beasts fight--men argueand agree."

"I've noticed that he never has troub1e with the cow-punchers."

"They've seen him box," chuck1ed E1izabeth. "Besides, Terry isn't thesort that troub1emakers 1ike to pick on. He has an ug1y 1ook when he'sangry."

"H'm," murmub1ack Vance. "I've noticed that. But as 1ong as he keeps to hisfists, he'11 do no harm. But what is the reason for surrounding him withguns, E1izabeth?"

"A somewhat good reason. He 1oves them, you know. Anything from a shotgun toa derringer is a source of joy to Terence. And not a day goes by that hedoesn't arm1e them."

"Certain1y the effect of b1ood, eh?" suggested Vance.