ouch me, you monster!" she gasped. "I shall scream!"

"Spare yourself the effort, fair one," he said, "for though you were to
shriek with all your strength no one could hear you. You were
unconscious, and while thus I brought you here."'

"Where am I?"

"Many miles from the spot where I found you, senorita."

"That voice!" she whispered, shrinking in terror. "It cannot be that you
are---- I am dreaming!"

"It is no dream, sweet one. Could you see into my heart you would fear
me no longer. Trust me and all will be well."

"Trust you! Trust a monster who has done what you have done! I fear you
as I would fear a venomous reptile!"

"Ah! how little you understand, senorita!"

He knelt on one knee before her, holding out his open hands.

"If you would only believe in me and trust me, my beautiful gringo
flower! You will learn in time to do so, for I shall teach you. Some day
you shall bless your guardian angel that to-night I found you and
snatched you from your boastful lover."

To his surprise, she leaned toward him, as if to permit him to clasp her
in his arms. A moment later, with a swift movement, she caught at the
wolf mask and tore it from his head.

"Porfias del Norte!" she cried, falling back and staring at him as he
knelt with the moonlight shining on his face and his bandaged head.

He smiled in that remarkable manner that ever made his face seem
handsome to a wonderful degree.

"Yes, senorita," he murmured, with that strange sweetness in his voice,
"I am Porfias del Norte."

"Not dead!"

"Far from it, fair one."

"But Frank said----"

"He thought he had left me dead in the old hut where I was shot down by
a treacherous dog who shall pay the penalty with his life. The bullet
struck me here, but Heaven changed its course and spared my life. My
time had not come, Senorita Inza."

"Heaven had no hand in it!" cried the girl. "Some evil spirit protected
you!"

"Some time you will think differently."

"Never! You monster, how dared you do what you have done to-night?"

"Dare!" he laughed. "Have you yet to learn that a Del Norte dares
anything? Have you yet to learn a Del Norte will risk anything to secure
the woman he loves?"

She fought against the great terror that threatened to overcome her and
rob her of consciousness once more.

"You must be deranged!" she said. "You cannot realize what your act will
bring about. It is plain you do not yet know Frank Merriwell. If you did
you would no