Swiftly her hand closed upon it. The hot barrel burned her palm.
She was on her feet in an instant. Her left hand fumbled in her
blouse, and she found what had been there all along--the flash-lamp.
With her back against the door, she pulled it forth. With the gun
thrust forward for action she pressed the button.
"I've got the gun--_get up_!" she ordered. "Don't come too near me
or I'll shoot. Back up against that wall."
The bull's-eye of radiance blinded him. When his eyes became
accustomed to the light, he saw its reflection on the barrel of the
revolver. He obeyed.
"Put up your hands. Put 'em up _high_!"
"Suppose I won't?"
"I'll kill you."
"What'll you gain by that?"
"Five thousand dollars."
"Then you know who I be?"
"Yes."
"And was aimin' to take me in?"
"Yes."
"How you goin' to do that if I won't go?"
"You're goin' to find out."
"You won't get no money shootin' me."
"Yes, I will--just as much--dead as alive."
With his hands raised a little way above the level of his shoulders,
he stood rigidly at bay in the circle of light.
"Well," he croaked at last, "go ahead and shoot. I ain't aimin' to
be took--not by no woman. Shoot, damn you, and have it done with.
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