He began to discount his joy lest she do it instead. His arm fell away from her waist.
"I 'most wrecked the house," he said with a humorous glance at the door. "I don't always bring one o' the walls with me when I come into a room."
"He bolted the door," she explained rather needlessly. "He wouldn't let me out."
"I heard you call," he answered, without much more point.
She glanced at the man lying on the floor. "You don't think he might be—" She stopped, unwilling to use the word.
Tom knelt beside him and felt his heart.
"It's beating," he said. And added quickly, "His eyes are open."
It was true. The cold, fishy eyes had flickered open and were taking stock of the situation. The gambler instantly chose his line of defense. He spoke, presently.
"What in the devil was bitin' you, Morse? Just because I was jokin' the girl, you come rampagin' in and knock me galley west with a big club. I'll not stand for that. Soon as I'm fit to handle myself, you and I'll have a settlement."
"Get up and get out," ordered the younger man.