Yet, truly, I think you do understand this joke.

Your memory can scarcely be failing at your age .-- Make another motion like that and you die right there! You know me .-- However, as you seem to shy over my first question, I 'll honor you with a second,--Where's Silent Murphy ?" Slavin's great square jaws set, a froth oozing from between his thick lips, and for an instant the other man believed that in his paroxysm of rage he would hurl himself across the table.

Then suddenly the ungainly brute went limp, his face grown haggard.
"You devil!" he roared, "what do you mean ?" Surprised as Hampton was by this complete breaking down, he knew his man far too well to yield him the slightest opportunity for treachery.
With revolver hand resting on the table, the muzzle pointing at the giant's heart, he leaned forward, utterly remorseless now, and keen as an Indian on the trail.
"Do you know who I am ?" The horror in Slavin's eyes had changed to sullenness, but he nodded silently.
"How do you know ?" There was no reply, although the thick lips appeared to move.
"Answer me, you red sneak! Do you think I am here to be played with?
Answer!" Slavin gulped down something which seemed threatening to choke him, but he durst not lift a hand to wipe the sweat from his face.

"If--if I didn't have this beard on you might guess.

I thought you knew me all the time." Hampton stared at him, still puzzled.