Page:Arthur Stringer - Gun Runner.djvu/186

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170
THE PYRRHIC VICTOR

observation, in the English hospital at George town, he was there, waiting for us. I was weak and ill—I think it was of coast-fever. He bribed or bought over the German woman, I don't know how. I was tricked into a ceremony I did not understand. I scarcely knew what to do when I found out. But it was decided for me—he was dragged from the carriage as he sat beside me...... I tell you all this because—because I want you to understand."

"I do understand," answered McKinnon.

"And is that all?" asked Ganley, with his careless sneer.

"Yes; that is all," she answered. The insolence of the gross-limbed gun-runner was like a whip-lash to McKinnon.

"And is that all on your side?" he asked, with a sudden movement of disgust.

"Not by a long shot!" retorted the man in the raincoat, with unlooked-for energy. "I want later history than all this. I want to know just what this woman's got of mine."

"She has explained that she took this paper," replied the other, pointing to the littered cabin floor.

"What do I care what she said, or says, or is going to say. You've got to show me—I'm from Missouri!"

McKinnon pondered the situation. It was