Hearts and Masks

For suddenly I saw his eyes widen and flash with anger and

apprehension. Quick as a passing sunshadow, his hand swept the

candelabrum from the table. He made a swift backward spring toward the

door, but he was a little too late. The darkness he had created was

not intense enough, for there was still the ruddy glow from the logs;

and the bosom of his dress-shirt made a fine target. Besides, the eyes

that had peered into the window were accustomed to the night.

Blang! The glass of the window shivered and jingled to the floor, and

a sharp report followed. The rogue cried out in fierce anguish, and

reeled against the wall. William whipped out his revolver, but, even

from his favorable angle, he was not quick enough. The hand that had

directed the first bullet was ready to direct the second.

All this took place within the count of ten. The girl and I sat

stiffly in our chairs, as if petrified, it was all so swiftly

accomplished.

"Drop it!" said a cold, authoritative voice, and I saw the vague

outlines of Haggerty's face beyond the broken window-pane.

William knew better than to hesitate. His revolver struck the floor

dully, and a curse rolled from his lips. Immediately a heavy body

precipitated itself against the door, which crashed inward, and an

officer fearlessly entered, a revolver in each hand. This tableau,

which lasted fully a minute, was finally disturbed by the entrance of

Haggerty himself.

"Don't be alarmed, Miss," he said heartily; "it's all over, I'm sorry

for the bullet, but it had to be done. The rascal has nothing more

serious than a splintered bone, I am a dead shot. A fine

night!"--triumphantly. "It's been a long chase, and I never was sure

of the finish. You're the cleverest rogue it has been my good fortune

to meet this many a day. I don't even know who you are yet. Well,

well! we'll round that up in time."

Not till the candles again sputtered with light, and William was

securely handcuffed and disarmed, did I recollect that I possessed the

sense of motion. The smoke of powder drifted across the flickering

candles, and there was a salty taste on my tongue.

"Horrible!" cried the girl, covering her eyes.

The master rogue and his valet were led out into the assembly-room, and

we reluctantly followed. I saw it all now. When Haggerty called up

central at the club, he ascertained where the last call had been from,

and, learning that it came from Hollywood Inn, he took his chance. The

room was soon filled with servants and stable-hands, the pistol-shot

having lured them from their beds. The wounded man was very pale. He

sat with his uninjured hand tightly clasped above the ragged wound, and

a little pool of blood slowly formed at his side on the floor. But his

eyes shone brightly.