Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/124

 108, blotted out, covered with the mantle of Christian charity. I felt it my duty to break to you this sad news in all possible tenderness."

"And you had no other object?"

"Certainly not; what other could I possibly have had?"

The man lied, and I knew it; the suave, soft tones of his voice irritated me. That he was a sneaking, canting hypocrite I realized from the first glance, and my fingers itched to grip him by the throat, and wring the real truth out of him. The girl stood motionless, silent, her breath coming in sobs. Then she turned her head slightly, and her eyes met mine. The piteous appeal in their depths was all I needed. With a grim feeling of delight, I took a step forward, and the muzzle of my revolver touched his breast.

"Now, Mister Preacherman," I said shortly, "we'll have done with this play-acting. Not a move! I understand firearms. It is a soldier, not a girl, you are dealing with now."