Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/290

 stumbled to the back room. We had no light in the house except what filtered in from the moon, and by a stray ray of this I saw that Danby's face was sunken and clammy white. He had a woman with him, you know.

"‘Tib,' I choked, 'can't you think of something?'

"‘In a minute, dear boy. Wait till I feed these dogs,' he replied, and I stiffened in amazement to note a cheery strain in his voice. Then I heard him: 'Nice doggie, good doggie! Doggie, doggie, doggie! Does he want his supper? Naughty Bruno. Don't be a glutton, Bruno, let Fido have some.'

"‘For God's sake, man, come in here and help us fire the last round!' cried Danby, tense with fear and passion.

"Tib came in on the run, carefully wiping his hands with something.

"‘Could you see a dog at the edge of the clearing?' he asked, sharply.

"‘Ay, all too well,' said Danby, turning from his loop-hole in wonder at the query.

"‘Good!' ejaculated Tib, picking up a revolver. 'Mark me, both of you. When you see a cur with white flanks making for the wood, drill him through the body. But on your life don't shoot till he gets to the edge of the jungle, and then through the body. Remember what I say!'

"‘Stark mad,' whispered Danby, despairingly.