Cinder Path Tales

THE HOLLOW HAMMER 51 I was sure, had done all he was capable of; and when Mac did one hundred and four I decided I was on " Easy Street," and began to count my earnings. All the time I kept my eyes aboutme, and was surprised to see the look of confidence withwhich the Irish­ man came up for his next to last turn. He planted his feet firmly, swung his huge arms round his head until he grew black in the face, and then alast effort, and the hammer flew through the air. I knew the momentit left his hand that it would best any throw made, but I was as­ tounded whenthe measurer announced over one hundred and eleven. Where was my money? I could not believe it possible, for I had sure information that Duffy had never quite covered one hundred feet, and while Mac should do his one hundred and eight or a trifle better, I did not believe he could make the one hundred and eleven tosave his life. It was while Angus was making his next to last throw that a sudden suspicion came to me. I was probably wrong, but my oney was in danger, andno chance would I throw away to save it. This time Mac was dead in earnest, andgetting hisstrength in just right threw onlyan inch shortof one hundred and ten. I waited until Duffy was about to make his last, and then walked down just in time