66| But, oh reader, listen to this, as Gus leapeth from that van there occureth in his head thoughts of grave mistake, for, lo, the rider was upon him and the snorting of the steed was loud and the steed did trample Gus to the ground and break his kneecaps. 67| Gus of the van did writhe in agony as the world turned dark with a shadow, and the shadow was of the horse and its rider which now standeth as a tower over this pained man. 68| And Gus sayeth through his gasps, Who are you. 69| And the rider answered him and said, I am the Scarlet Loner. 70| And the Scarlet Loner flareth his pistol again, yea, he doth shoot Gus in the liver. 71| Soon afterwards would the name Scarlet Loner take to the wind and float about, there would be those who gabbed his name and deeds, but gabbed as of a ghost, for the Loner did move from place to place sharp and sudden and disappear without a trace. 72| And even as such things may creep and taunt us, even as we may think strange odors flit about to make us suspicious, we clamor for reassurance and then there is something unexpected like a ring at the door. 73| So did the Orbo household ring out at this time and Harold Orbo come to learn it was the doorbell and he did answer the door, then phew with relief to learn it was a pizza deliveryman bearing a pizza. 74| And the pizza guy did say, One cheese pizza. 75| And still all things are jumbled, for most of the Earth knoweth not its fate.
The Novix © 1986, 2000, Greg Macon
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