wearing the wolf mask, stepped out and lifted the helpless girl, bearing her along a path that led to a little opening where the moonlight fell br

in Spanish. His voice was soft and musical, quite unlike the growlin

nto the opening and stood

to square old score with Merriwell man. Tell me be ready to

make no difference with you. You have been paid, but I will pay you doubly if you stick by me to the end. Yo

an shook

!" he declared. "Wh

ll kee

to stay. She have many friend. The

body runs the blood of old Guerrero, who feared no peril and never paused to count the cost when he struck at a foe. Could I leave him dead, even as he thought me dead, my path would be clear. The prize is worth the peril, for it i

that. Once I 'most kill man down at Long Lake. White man officer hunt me long time. I remember jail. No want some more. I hide. Send word no let um officer take me alive. Bimeby they no hunt me some

ds will join us here, as we planned. After that we can get away into the woods. With you to guide, we can baffle all pursuit. But I p

she hate

l Norte is never broken. Leave everything to me. Go back and watch for our frien

turned away and disap

to discover her eyes were wide open and fastened upon him. Quickly

u are safe, for I will guard you with my life. A thousand pa

one hand, holding up the

monster!" she gaspe

ou were to shriek with all your strength no one could hear yo

re a

he spot where I fo

rinking in terror. "It cannot b

see into my heart you would fear me no

done what you have done! I fear you

e you understa

before her, holding

ll learn in time to do so, for I shall teach you. Some day you shall bless your g

to clasp her in his arms. A moment later, with a swift mov

and staring at him as he knelt with the moonl

ner that ever made his face seem

th that strange sweetness in his

t d

m it, fa

rank s

rous dog who shall pay the penalty with his life. The bullet struck me here, but

!" cried the girl. "Some

u will think

ow dared you do what y

Norte dares anything? Have you yet to learn a Del No

that threatened to overcome her an

u could do this thing and escape the punishment he will surely bring upon you. Why, he will find you and make you suffer, even though he had to employ a hundred men and

the man, with a touch o

ly

-tell me wha

armed. If you do that, I give you my promise to keep him still long enough for you

e laughe

aces I shall keep you secure. If your gringo lover comes, I'll meet him. I'll fight him to the death. One of us will conquer, and no man ever triumphed over one in whose blood was the spirit of old Guerrero. If we meet i

nsfer their affection from dead lovers to their slayers. But you do not yet comprehend the fearful task before y

corn and contempt in her face a

o not fear me. I have sworn that you shall love me, and to

fter this night I shall fear and loathe you a thousand

this move, and I shall carry it through. You American women love wealth and power. Se?orita, all the vast wealth that is coming to me wi

in his right mind could not think to win the love of a woman after

eep always until death came between us. I have felt that to have you thus I would face a thousand deadly perils. To-night I saw you at the dance. Even though your face was hidden, my heart gave a leap the moment my eyes rested on you. By your grace I

should have recognized you, even

ercation with them, which gave me the opening I sought. You were again left alone, and in a moment I acted. I carried you away, but in the struggle your garment of white was torn from you, and it lies in the canoe

t recovered her strength, to wheel suddenly and flee as fast as her feet would carry her. By chance she

him. "Save me! You shall be pa

He turned toward her a grim, immovable

om the path and del

e whither you will, there is no escape. You

ome," sai

ed the Mexic

he

and pointed away over the

the girl. "They are

lay on the water. The faint

histled a s

ere was a si

"you are wrong; those