16 His plan, grown to full stature so swiftly, and springing out of nothing, well nigh, had come out of his first determination to bring Jack Landis back to Lou Macon; for he could interpret those blank, misty eyes with which she had sat after the departure of Landis in only one way.

And Nelly Lebrun works Landis for his dust.

"And what if I fail to bring over Jack Landis with the sight of Lou?" The colonel relaxed; the great crisis was past and Donnegan would undertake the journey.

If that first meeting did not bring Landis to his senses, what followed?

I took it for granted that you would welcome a chance to brush Landis out of your path.

And among others, Nelly Lebrun with Jack Landis beside her.

He had thought of Nelly playing Landis along more gradually and carefully, so that, while he was slowly learning that she was growing cold to him, he would have a chance to grow fond of Lou Macon once more.

What chance had poor Jack Landis against her?

Plainly they were not pleased with Jack Landis on this day.

He must dispose that mob to look upon him as the defendant and Landis as the aggressor.

Landis on his feet and well would have been nothing; either of these men would have killed him.

And then Donnegan skirted around the room and came to the table of Jack Landis at the very moment when the latter was tossing a gold piece to the waiter and giving a new order.