"
"So that you replace things, I've not the slightest objection,"
Harleston interjected. "Bang away, sirs, bang away! Anything to relieve
me from suspicion."
"It prevents him from sleeping!" Sparrow laughed.
"Also yourselves," Harleston supplemented. "However, you for it,
remembering that cock-crow comes earlier now than in December, and the
people too are up betimes. You risk interruption, I fear, from my
solicitous friends."
And even as he spoke the corridor door opened and a man stepped in.
From where he lay, Harleston could see him; the others could not.
"'Pon my soul, I'm popular this morning!" Harleston remarked, sitting
up.
Instantly the new-comer covered him with his revolver.
"What did you say?" Sparrow inquired from the sitting-room, just as the
stranger appeared around the corner.
Like a flash, the latter's revolver shifted to him.
"Easy there!" said he.
Sparrow sprang up--then he laughed.
"Easy yourself!" said he. "Marston, let this gentleman see your hand."
Marston came slowly forward until he stood a little behind but
sufficiently in view to enable the stranger to see that he himself was
covered by an automatic.
"For heaven's sake, Crenshaw," said Sparrow, "don't let us get to
shooting here! If you wing me, Marston will wing you, and we'll only
stir up a mess for ourselves.
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