"Funny? Great Heavens! And you——"
Betty's smile broadened as she pointed to a heavy revolver lying in the chair she had just vacated.
"I didn't have any trouble. I told him there were five barrels in that, all loaded, and each barrel said he'd better get out."
"Did—did he go?"
Chepstow could scarcely control his fury. But Betty answered him in a quiet determined manner.
"Not until I had emptied one of them," she said. Then with a rueful smile she added, "But it went very wide of its mark."
Her uncle tried to laugh, but the result was little better than a furious snort.
"Why did you leave the door open?" he inquired a moment later.
"Well, you were out. You might have returned in—in a hurry and—— But sit down, uncle dear, food's ready."
The man sat down and Betty stood by to supply him with all he needed. Then he noticed she had only prepared food for one.