Chapter 56

To strike Renton with that before he could shoot seemed to be the only chance now. He stood beside the door, desperate, his shovel lifted for a blow, waiting for the lithe and agile murderer to open the door and enter with gun levelled. When the wrangling outside terminated and Renton had gone angrily away to the Gay-Cat, bent upon his deadly purpose, the strain left Dirck weak and almost sick; and he rested on his shovel and strove to keep his head and key up his courage. Then, almost instantly, came the cool, cau…