Some had
their fingers stiffly extended, as if in the act of gripping with
hands too stiff to close.
Silent slipped to his knees. His head fell back, his discoloured
tongue protruding. Dan wrenched him back to his feet. One more
convulsive effort from the giant, and then his eyes glazed, his body
went limp. The remorseless hands unlocked. Silent fell in a shapeless
heap to the floor.
Still no one moved. There was no sound except the deadly ticking of
the clock. The men stared fascinated at that massive, lifeless figure
on the floor. Even in death he was terrible. Then Dan's hand slid
inside his shirt, fumbled a moment, and came forth again bearing a
little gleaming circle of metal. He dropped it upon the body of Jim
Silent, and turning, walked slowly from the room. Still no one moved
to intercept him. Passing through the door he pushed within a few
inches of two men. They made no effort to seize him, for their eyes
were upon the body of the great lone rider.
The moment Dan was gone the hypnotic silence which held the crowd,
broke suddenly. Someone stirred. Another cursed beneath his breath.
Instantly all was clamour and a running hither and thither. Buck
Daniels caught from the body of Jim Silent the small metal circle
which Dan had dropped.
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