Instinctively Rankin made one impulsive clutch for his revolver, but an imperative jerk to the side of Lake’s weapon discouraged him.
“Don’t do it, Al,” said Lake. “I told you before I’d had a hunch that I’d blow your head off one of these days, and now I got an idea that the time has come.”
“Sumpter!” implored Rankin.
“Stay where you are, you thick-headed fool,” said Bob Lake. “And you, girl, stay where you are. I’m watching all three of you. You’re wrong . . . the whole bunch of you.”
Anne was on her feet.
“It shows that playing square don’t count and don’t pay. I’m a fool to bother with you, but first I’m going to get the truth out of this hound, and then I’m going to wash my hands of the whole g**g of you.” He stretched back to the door, and with his left hand, feeling behind him,
