enjoy it thoroughly. Think of what I say when you see his messenger
with your ring upon his finger, to-morrow or next month or next year
perhaps--and when your time comes, watch the procession of betrayed and
tortured girls as they pass before you to catch your soul in their slim
hands as it leaves your body. Now! drink that coffee!"

But the man stood stock still, and Jill frowned, for she was not a
paragon of patience at any time, and the obstinacy of the man fretted
her already jagged nerves.

"Very well," she said, "I give you one more chance. If you refuse
again I shall put a bullet straight through your head just between the
eyebrows, as I shall now put one through that brooch kind of thing in
your turban."

There was another deafening report, and the turban flew from the
oriental's head just as a paper-bag will fly before a March wind.

"Go and pick that turban up and put it on your head. Hurry now, or we
shall have the police or someone coming to inquire about the shooting
gallery."

The eyes of the boa-constrictor in the Zoo were gems of humanity in
comparison with those of the negroid-Egyptian's as he turned to obey,
and then stopped mulishly until a third little reminder chipped
splinters from the marble at his heel, whereupon he stooped and
recovered his headgear, minus the brooch, but plus a neat little hole
fore and aft.

"Now come and drink the coffee! It won't be very nice as it is almost