rtner answered:

"It's all the more delightful being unexpected and unplanned, Inza. I
feel to-night as if I hadn't a care in the world."

"Why have you any great cares to worry you now?" she asked. "All your
great business projects are coming out right, and the man who could make
you trouble has paid the penalty of his villainy. He'll never interfere
with you again."

"That's right. With him out of the way, his railroad plan and mining and
development company will never mature."

"I see no reason why you should hurry back to Mexico now. Can't you
remain in the East longer?"

"I'll know better about that after consulting with Watson Scott. If
possible to linger, I'll be in no hurry to go."

They swept past a solitary man who stood watching the dancers. His mask
was the head of a wolf. Through the twin holes of the mask his eyes
gleamed strangely as they followed Merry and Inza.

Another wolf approached and touched the first on the shoulder.

"Have you found him yet?"

"Look!" exclaimed the first. "See the girl in flowing white?"

"With the Indian?"

"No; with the cowboy."

"I have noticed both."

"Well, it is the cowboy I want you to watch. Listen near him. Hear him
speak. I think it is our man. If so--well, to-night I strike the blow
that makes me the master!"

"Your head----"

"Never mind. I have taken pains to hide well anything that might betray
me. The dead seldom rise, and I am dead, you know."

"It's the greatest wonder in the world that you are not."

The music stopped. Frank escorted Inza to one of the great, open
windows, through which came a grateful breath of the cool, still night.
Through the trees outside they could see the lake, with the silver
moonlight shimmering on its bosom.

"It's a beautiful spot here," said the girl. "See how peaceful
everything is out there, Frank."

After a few moments they strolled out together beneath the trees, where
the shadows were heavy. Arm in arm, they walked up and down, pausing at
intervals to listen to the music which came from the pavilion, where the
dancers were again whirling over the polished floor.

Suddenly they came face to face with a silent figure beneath the trees.
This figure started back, uttering a low exclamation, turned suddenly,
and almost fled round a corner of the building.

Frank laughed.

"You gave him a start, Inza. The phosphorus skeleton shows plainly here,
you know."

"Somehow I didn't fancy that was why he fled so