Pagina 159 di 439

"I'll learn you to keep that vile tongue of yours still," he said

between set teeth, and shook the hapless man till he was black in

the face.

Struve hung, sputtering and coughing, against the wall where he

had been thrown. It was long before he could do more than gasp.

"What--what did you do--that for?" His furtive ratlike face

looked venomous in its impotent anger. "I'll pay you for

this--and don't you--forget it, Joe Dunke!"

"You'd shoot me in the back the way you did Jim Kinney if you got

a chance. I know that; but you see you won't get a chance."

"I ain't looking for no such chance. I--"

"That's enough. I don't have to stand for your talk even if I do

have to take care of you. Light your candle and move along this

tunnel lively."