Despite his undoubted sincerity Joan felt a subtle change in him, and that, coupled with the significance of his words, brought a return of the strange dread. Kells went out and dropped the curtain behind him. Joan listened.
“Share and share alike!” boomed the giant Gulden.
“Say!” called Kells, gaily, “aren't you fellows going to eat first?”
Shouts of derision greeted his sally.
“I'll eat gold-dust,” added Budd.
“Have it your own way, men,” responded Kells. “Blicky, get the scales down off of that shelf.... Say, I'll bet anybody I'll have the most dust by sundown.”
More shouts of derision were flung at him.
“Who wants to gamble now?”
“Boss, I'll take thet bet.”
“Haw! Haw! You won't look so bright by sundown.”