Lorelei spoke timidly, for the first time. "But--the law, Mr.
Merkle? The police--?"

"To hell with the law!" Jim burst out, nervously. "D'you want to
go to court? D'you want to be up for murder? Lilas would saddle it
onto you to save herself."

"Murder?" echoed Bob, with a start. "Jove!"

Jarvis Hammon cried furiously: "Don't be fools. There's no murder
about it. I told you I shot myself accidentally. I'm not going to
die."

"You CAN'T--you MUSTN'T," Merkle gravely agreed.

"Is your car outside, John?"

Merkle shook his head. He was thinking swiftly. "I wouldn't dare
risk that, anyhow. The driver is a new man."

"Get a cab," Jim offered, in a panic.

"The cab-driver would be sure to--"

"I'll drive," Bob volunteered. "I'm drunk, but I've done it before
when I was drunker. It's an old trick of mine--sort of a joke,
see? Give me some money--a cabby'll do anything for money at this
time o' night."