“I said I would kill you!” he hoarsely cried, his grip becoming tighter and tighter.
The poor girl grew black in the face; she tried to speak, but the sounds were lost in gurgles.
“Don’t kill her,” said one of the roughs who crowded the place.
“What is the matter?” cried Shea, Greer and Tambourine Jack, who came into the outer room, attracted by the noise.
“Matter enough. I have the traitress; she shall not escape me this time,” exclaimed the ruffian.
The dog Crackers seemed to be a natural defender of everybody in trouble.
He fastened his teeth in Skip’s thigh, causing that gentleman to yell with pain.
“Down, Crackers, down,” cried Tambourine Jack, but the dog for once did not obey.
“Do not murder her,” said Elmer Greer.
“Don’t you interfere.”