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The Valley of the Giants by Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne
page 332 of 387 (85%)
noiselessly away into the darkness. The track-cutting crew departed a
few minutes later, and when Shirley found herself alone with her
uncle, the tumult in her heart gave way to the tears she could no
longer repress. Pennington stood by, watching her curiously, coldly.

Presently Shirley mastered her emotion and glanced toward him.

"Well, my dear?" he queried nervously.

"I--I think I had better go home," she said without spirit.

"I think so, too," he answered. "Get into the Mayor's flivver, my
dear, and I'll drive you. And perhaps the least said about this
affair the better, Shirley. There are many things that you do not
understand and which cannot be elucidated by discussion."

"I can understand an attempt at assassination, Uncle Seth."

"That blackguard Minorca! I should have known better than to put him
on such a job. I told him to bluff and threaten; Cardigan, I knew,
would realize the grudge the Black Minorca has against him, and for
that reason I figured the greaser was the only man who could bluff
him. While I gave him orders to shoot, I told him distinctly not to
hit anybody. Good Lord, Shirley, surely you do not think I would wink
at a murder!"

"I do," she answered passionately. "With Bryce Cardigan out of the
way, you would have a clear field before you--"

"Oh, my dear, my dear! Surely you do not realize what you are saying.
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