That's a new one," Sam brought his lips close enough together to declare, and chewed vigorously upon the idea,--until he glanced up and saw Ford standing by the door.

He turned abruptly, caught up a towel, and began polishing the bar with the frenzy of industry which never imposes upon one in the slightest degree.
Bill glanced behind him and nudged Aleck into caution, and in the silence which followed, the popping of a piece of slate-veined coal in the stove sounded like a volley of small-caliber pistol shots..