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 with a sudden turn of considerateness of her which made her look up quickly and surprise the speculation in his eyes. Should he waste more of his great, triumphant hours with her? his eyes said. Had he not better let her go and find for himself another girl?

She could not speak to him; her mind refused to be forced to his affairs. It flew to the field wherein Neski's car, pursued, had overturned; it dwelt in the ditch under the wreck through which the gunmen's bullets so mercilessly and methodically had searched for Calvin Clarke and her. Had not Ket heard of what had happened at the ditch? she wondered, staring at him. Yes; he had been told; he knew how she had gone to Tut's Temple to identify Baretta in his cause and how, from the expedition with Oliver and from the fight in the ditch, she had gained his freedom.

"Kid, you certainly came through for me." He touched her, gratefully. "I didn't think you was so done up, yet."

"I am, Ket."

For a few moments, while he considered her, he was silent. "Then why'd you come along?" he asked.

At this she refused further evasion. "I'm not done up," she contradicted herself, opposing his hands with all the strength of her own.

The struggle of her against him pleased and roused him; he laughed and played with her before holding her helpless, hot and breathless. "You're all right, Kid! D'you think I'd put over a low-down on you? Not on your life. I'm marrying you, Jo."

"Marrying me!"

"That's what I said. You'll be my wife after lunch."

"No, Ket."

"Sure you will! You bet you will, Kid! So kiss me good."