.

THE HOUSE OF NORHALA.
Her eyes closed, her body relaxed; the potion had done its work quickly.
We laid her beside Ventnor on the pile of silken stuffs, covered them both with a fold, then looked at each other long and silently--and I wondered whether my face was as grim and drawn as his.
"It appears," he said at last, curtly, "that it's up to you and me for powwow quick.

I hope you're not sleepy." "I am not," I answered as curtly; the edge of nerves in his manner of questioning doing nothing to soothe my own, "and even if I were I would hardly expect to put all the burden of the present problem upon you by going to sleep." "For God's sake don't be a prima donna," he flared up.

"I meant no offense." "I'm sorry, Dick," I said.

"We're both a little jumpy, I guess." He nodded; gripped my hand.
"It wouldn't be so bad," he muttered, "if all four of us were all right.