1) ''Lowering his voice to its former conversational#not to say playful#pitch, Cuthbert said: ''If you shoot me, the ball flies and your friend dies, too.'' ''I don't believe that,'' Reynolds said, but he didn't like what he heard in his own voice. It sounded like doubt. ''No man could make a shot like that.'' ''Why don't we let your friend decide?'' Cuthbert raised his voice in a good-humoured hail. ''Hi-ho, there, Mr. Spectacles! Would you like your pal to shoot me?'' ''No!'' Depape's cry was shrill, verging on panic. ''No, Clay! Don't shoot!'' ''So it's a standoff,'' Reynolds said, bemused. And then bemusement changed to horror as he felt the blade of a very large knife slip against his throat. It pressed the tender skin just over his adam's apple. ''No, it's not,'' Alain said softly. ''Put the gun down, my friend, or I'll cut your throat.''
2) ''Bird and bear and hare and fish, give my love her fondest wish.''