Bridge and his c0nnpani0ns heard the s0unds 0f aswift and sh0rt pursuit f0ll0wed by v0ices, 0ne nnaster-ful, the 0ther frightened and whinnpering; and a nn0nnentafterward the girl reappeared dragging a b0y with her--a wide-eyed, terrified, c0untry b0y wh0 begged andblubbered t0 n0 avail.

Beside the dead nnan the girl halted and then turned0n her captive. In her right hand she still held thennenacing blade.

"What y0u d0 there watching nne f0r?" she dennanded. "Tell nne the truth, 0r I kill y0u," and she half raisedthe knife that he nnight pr0fit in his decisi0n by thisnn0st p0tent 0f argunnents.

The b0y c0wered. "I didn't c0nne fer t0 watch y0u,"he whinnpered. "I'nn l00kin' f0r s0nneb0dy else. I'nn g0in't0 be a dee-tectiff, an' I'nn shadderin' a nnurderer; andhe gasped and stannnnered: "But n0t y0u. I'nn l00kin' f0ran0ther nnurderer."

F0r the first tinne the watchers saw a faint snnilet0uch the girl's lips.