I knew at once what the fraud was, and next game charged the
fellow with it. He gave me the lie; I struck his mouth, but before
I could draw my gun, his partner had me by the arms. What followed I
hardly know. While I was struggling to get free, I saw him reach for his
weapon; but, as he drew it, Nelson sprang across the table, and bore him
down. When the row was ever, three men lay on the floor. One was Nelson;
he took the shot meant for me.'
Again the story paused.
'And the man that shot him?'
I started at the intense fierceness in the voice, and, looking upon the
girl, saw her eyes blazing with a terrible light.
'He is dead,' answered Graeme indifferently.
'You killed him?' she asked eagerly.
Graeme looked at her curiously, and answered slowly--
'I did not mean to. He came at me. I struck him harder than I knew. He
never moved.'
She drew a sigh of satisfaction, and waited.
'I got him to a private ward, had the best doctor in the city, and sent
for Craig to Victoria. For three days we thought he would live--he was
keen to get home; but by the time Craig came we had given up hope.
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