"You think there's real danger, then?" enquired Ravenslee, staring up at the fly-blown text with shining eyes.

"As real as—death, bo!"

"Not so long ago I regarded Death as my best friend—"

"How much?" demanded the Spider, suspending mastication.

"Nothing, Spider, a mere passing thought."

"Well, I'm tellin' ye they'll get ye sure—it'll be th' water or a forty-four bullet, or a blackjack or a knife—but you'll get it one way or another!"

"Sounds cheering!"

"An' it ain't over-pleasant t' be sandbagged."

"No, Spider."

"Nor t' feel a lead pipe wrapped round th' back o' y'r bean."