51.   But before the deal was struck late Monday, Richter was prepared to board a flight for Florida, where the Panthers wanted him to replace John Vanbiesbrouck.

52.   But he invited conservative Democrats in Congress to work with the Republicans, in case no deal could be struck with the president.

53.   But he said his company hoped it could strike a deal that would benefit it and the state of Missouri.

54.   But few know where the deal was struck.

55.   But he cautioned that it was likely that no deal would be struck until the final days of the legislative session, this summer.

56.   But he doubted the questions would go away even if such a deal was struck.

57.   But it seems quite unlikely that a final deal will be struck for several weeks.

58.   But Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel who struck the deal, seemed even more pleased.

59.   But Marks struck a deal last year with Microsoft that could soon rival the Ericsson alliance.

60.   But no deals were struck, proving this may be a shrewd horse trader or merely someone whose name is easily dropped.