Page:Randall Parrish - The Red Mist.djvu/252

 236 cowed. But Pickney was of a different kidney. He sat glaring angrily at me across the table, with face red as the rising sun, straining at the tough leather, his lips muttering incoherent threats of vengeance.

"I'll get you yet, you damned rascal," I heard him growl, "and stretch your neck without any trial."

"And I'll gag that mouth of yours," I answered "and keep it still for awhile. Oh, yes, you'll open up, my man! I know a trick that will make you bite the tighter I pull the cord. How about you, Lieutenant? Would you like a dose of the same medicine?"

I stepped across to him, a strip of cloth in my hand, but just at that instant the latch of the door rattled as though a hand without gripped it. I had barely time in which to leap back against the wall, hidden from view, when the door opened inward. All I saw was the glimpse of a man's hand and sleeve. The fellow must have perceived nothing to alarm him, for he merely held the door ajar.

"A lady to see the colonel," he announced briefly. "Just step in, miss."

I saw her advance two steps, and then stop motionless, with half-suppressed cry of surprise. The sentry could not have heard the slight exclamation, for he closed the door, the latch clicking sharply. Her eyes opened wide, staring first at the Colonel,