“I?”
“Yes; you’re the only one that’s been here to-night. Nobody has seen me in or near Dalton.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s lucky that you did happen along here, for I think I can fasten the deed on you. Stop! Don’t move nor speak aloud.”
Carlos had started to leave the spot, but the long knife was presented at his breast in a manner that threatened instant death if he stirred.
“Great Heaven! who are you and why did you kill him?”
“Silence!” was the reply, given in a fierce whisper, and accompanied by a terrible oath. “Don’t repeat that. I say you killed him. And here’s the evidence of it.”
He wiped the dagger, which was still bloody, on Carlos’ coat and vest, leaving great red stains.
“What is that for?” asked Carlos.
“You’ll find out when the spots are discovered. They’ll be pretty bad evidence against you. Ha! that makes you wince. But there is one thing more. I have been watching you, and I want that piece of paper you took from the old man’s hand. Fork it over.”
“What do you want of it?” asked Carlos.
“It belongs to this letter, and the letter is useless without it,” said the man, drawing a white paper partially from his pocket. “Come, give it up, and we will both leave this place quietly.”
But Carlos, seeing that the villain was off his guard for an instant, darted forward with the quickness of lightning and dealt him a powerful blow between the eyes.
The effect might have been serious had not the man been protected by his mask. As it was, it blinded him for a moment, and caused him to drop his dagger.
Carlos stooped to pick it up, but his antagonist recovered quicker than he had expected. He felt a blow on the side of the head that sent him reeling for a distance of two or three yards, and then he fell to the ground. The man was after him, but he was on his feet in an instant, and the two closed.
The man was large, and possessed great muscular strength. Carlos though smaller in stature, had well-developed muscles, and was,
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