Tell Mart the hounds of hell must burn!" Her voice carried a terrible condemnation far beyond the meaning of the words themselves.

It was as if she were pronouncing the doom of the whole world.

"Every cat, every rat, every mouse, every louse--" Casey Ryan's jaw dropped an inch.

He backed until he was against the door.

He had to swallow twice before he could find his voice, and those of you who know Casey Ryan will appreciate that.