"Thank you," she cried eagerly.
Elaine examined the gun with interest, then, raising it, pointed
it playfully at Bennett.
"Oh--no--no!" exclaimed Kennedy, taking her arm quickly, and
gently deflecting the weapon away. "You mustn't think it is a toy.
It explodes at a mere touch of the trigger--when that safety
ratchet is turned."
Bennett had realized the danger and had jumped back, almost
mechanically. As he did so, he bumped into a suit of medieval
armor standing by the wall, knocking it over with a resounding
crash.
"I beg pardon," he ejaculated, "I'm very sorry. That was very
awkward of me."
Jennings, who had been busy about the portieres at the doorway,
started to pick up the fallen knight. Some of the pieces were
broken, and the three gathered about as the butler tried to fit
them together again as best he could.
"Too bad, too bad," apologized Bennett profusely. "I really forgot
how close I was to the thing."
"Oh, never mind," returned Elaine, a little crestfallen, "It is
smashed all right--but it was my fault. Jennings, send for someone
to repair it."
She turned to Kennedy. "But I do wish you would teach me how to
use this thing," she added, touching the automatic gingerly.
"Gladly," he returned.
"Won't you join us, Mr. Bennett?" asked Elaine.
"No," the young lawyer smiled, "I'm afraid I can't.
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