“I have plenty of time to do what I came for,” he said. “Get away from that stall.”
Mabel only shrunk back closer.
Gabriel, his head protruding from his stall, watched this scene with dilated eyes and quivering nostrils. He stamped angrily, and uttered several snorts.
As Jones took another step forward, Mabel advanced, as though to meet him. Then, as Jones halted, she put her hand behind her and opened the catch to Gabriel’s stall. Quickly she pushed the door back, and leaping suddenly inside, she closed it again.
Jones, with a cry of rage, leaped forward, but as he did so Gabriel tossed his head angrily and the man stepped back in fear.
“Now,” said Mabel quietly, “unless you leave here immediately I shall open this door and let Gabriel at you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” sneered Jones.
He glanced quickly about him, his face alight with an evil smile. He took a few steps back, and stooping, came up with a gun in his hands.
“You had better get down out of the way,” he said. “I’ll take a shot at Gabriel with this. It won’t kill him, but I guess it will do enough damage to keep him out of the race.”
He brought the revolver to his shoulder and took deliberate aim.