overhead as from the lips of an idle smoker; the tang of powder reached 9009’s nostrils. Suddenly he realized; realized fully and completely what had happened. A heavy hand fell on his shoulder, grasping it like a vise, and whirled him around where he stood. He faced the sallow guard with the gray-white eyes; and the guard was half-smiling———
“You dog,” said Jennings; “what do you mean by letting a man kill another and saying nothing!” His voice was thick, but his lips showed a sort of satisfaction. 9009 felt anger choke him; he threw back his head and looked square into the lightless eyes; his lips parted in a snarl. And then he thought of his copper, and swallowed hard, keeping silent.
“You go to the head of the line to-night,” ended Jennings, and turned toward the bodies.
Two guards were tearing the legs of the red-striped convict from the garotter’s neck. It took two to do it. Another picked up something from the huddle of bodies. It dripped as he raised it. 9009 looked at it keenly. It was long,
