"You'd better kill me while you have the chance," he said. "Because, so help me God, I'm going to kill you for this."
"Go!" thundered the other, his hands twitching. "If you don't, I'll strangle the life out of you."
Lapelle drew back, quailing before the look in Kenneth's eyes. He saw murder in them.
"You didn't give me a chance, damn you," he snarled. "You hit me before I had a chance to—"
"I wish to God I had hit you sooner,—and that I had killed you," grated Kenneth.
"You will wish that with all your soul before I am through with you," snarled Barry. "Oh, I'm not afraid of you! I know the whole beastly story about your father and that—"
"Stop!" cried Kenneth, taking a step forward, his arm drawn back. "Not another word, Lapelle! You've said enough! I know where you got your information,—and I can tell you, here and now, that the man lied to you. I'm going to give you twenty-four hours to get out of this town for good. And if I hear that you have repeated a word of what you said to her I'll see to it that you are strung up by the neck and your miserable carcass filled with bullets. Oh, you needn't sputter! It will be your word against mine. I guess you know which of us the men of this town will believe. And you needn't expect to be supported by your friend Jasper Suggs or the gentle Mr. Hawk,—Aha, THAT got under your pelt, didn't it? If either of them is still alive at this minute, it's because he surrendered without a fight and not because God took care of him. Your beautiful game is spoiled, Lapelle,—and you'll be lucky to get off with a whole skin. I'm giving you a chance. Get out of this town,—and stay out!"
Barry, recovering quickly from the shock, made a fair show of bravado.
"What are you talking about? What the devil have I got to do with—"
"That's enough! You know what I'm talking about. Take my advice. Get out of town before you are a day older. You will save yourself a ride on a rail and a rawhiding that you'll not forget to your dying day."