y
handsome with its dominating nose and chin, and blue eyes shaded by
thick lashes, that looked out beneath heavy brows--a comely-seeming face
from the dark, close-cropped hair to the deep cleft in the strong,
fleshy chin.

But now, beneath Ravenslee's persistent regard, the full-curved, shapely
lips grew slowly into a cruel, down-trending line, the nostrils
expanded, while the blue eyes narrowed to shining slits beneath
quick-scowling, black brows. For a long moment the two men stared at
each other, eye to eye, then, in a hoarse, assertive tone the newcomer
spoke.

"What you doin' here? Who are ye?"

Mr. Ravenslee sat down and began to fill his pipe.

"Where's d' Kid?"

Mr. Ravenslee brushed stray grains of tobacco from his knee with
elaborate care.

"Hey, you! Where's Spike--'n' what you doin' here, anyway?"

Mr. Ravenslee glanced up casually. "And pray, who the devil may you be
pleased to be?" he enquired.

"Me name's M'Ginnis!"

"Oh, indeed?"

"Yes--indeed! Bud M'Ginnis--Is that good 'nuff for ye?"

"Well, since you ask," said Ravenslee, shaking languid head, "I should
scarcely class you as a 'bud' myself. No--I should say you were perhaps
just a trifle--er--overblown. But have it your own way!" and Mr.
Ravenslee smiled engagingly.

"Where's Spike?" demanded M'Ginnis, his tone a little gruffer, "and
say--you can cut out the comedy, see? Nix on the funny business."

"You are a pessimist, I presume, Mr. Flowers?"

"Where's d' Kid? Speak up now--where is he?"

"Also, your conversation grows a little monotonous, Mr. Flowers."

M'Ginnis stared, then shot out his big chin viciously.

"What you doin' in Hermy's flat, eh?"

Mr. Ravenslee's brows wrinkled slightly, but his soft voice grew softer,
as, pausing in the act of lighting his pipe, he answered: "On the whole
I think you are a rather--er--unpleasant young man, so suppose
you--er--go--"

"What? Go? Are ye tryin' t' tell me t' go?"

"I'm suggesting that you--er--crank up the machine, Mr. Flowers, and
beat it while the going's good!"

M'Ginnis clenched his fist and took a threatening step toward Ravenslee,
then checked himself and stood breathing heavily.

"May I further suggest," said Ravenslee in his pleasantest voice, "that
you look in again--say next Thursday fortnight, Mr. Flowers?"

"T' hell with you--me name's M'Ginnis."

"Of course you might leave a message, Mr. Flowers--"

"Now, see here, you!" said M'Ginnis, his words coming t