Stephen Roland turned quietly around and shook the hand from his shoulder.

It was evident that he recognized Stratton instantly.
"Is this a Chicago joke ?" asked the doctor.
"If it is, Mr.Roland, I think you will find it a very serious one." "Aren't you afraid that _you_ may find it a serious one ?" "I don't see why I should have any fears in the premises," answered the newspaper man.
"My dear sir, do you not realize that I could knock you down or shoot you dead for what you have done, and be perfectly justified in doing so ?" "If you either knock or shoot," replied the other, "you will have to do it very quickly, for, in the language of the wild and woolly West, I've got the drop on you.

In my coat pocket is a cocked revolver with my forefinger on the trigger.

If you make a hostile move I can let daylight through you so quickly that you won't know what has struck you." "Electric light, I think you mean," answered the doctor, quietly.

"Even a Chicago man might find it difficult to let daylight through a person at this time in the evening.