Page:Arthur Stringer--The House of Intrigue.djvu/235

Rh an impertinence. Then I remembered that Wendy Washburn had his royal way of seeming right, even when he was in the wrong, and that i it came to a backdown I'd find it no easy thing to keep my position a dignified one. I remembered, too, that there was scarcely a chance of any member of that group being armed. It was ten to one, had any of them been heeled, that Copperhead Kate's speechifying would have been punctuated by a random bullet or two. And if you think it's easy to stand with your hands above your head, for even five minutes at a time, try it just once in front of a clock!

"All right!" I announced in my grandest manner. "You can stand at ease there, the whole lot of you!" For I was tired myself and it might not be so profitable, in the end, to add to their troubles.

I could hear the sigh of relief that went up from that weary array of figures. A dozen aching arms, I noticed, were very promptly lowered.

"But no shifting in the line!" I commanded, as I gave my fat blond doctor the full benefit of a barrel-end against his vest front. He made a stealthy move, as though to drop behind the others, possibly with a view toward bolting for the door. And I held them there like a drill-sergeant, with the two automatics wavering up and down their Little