will rest ourselves a little now, for we shall need all our strength
and nerve. One more b-b-burst of speed and we shall overhaul them. Have
you got your wind, Romeo? Come then, let us be off!"

Once more he sprang into the saddle, the restive horse pawing the ground
and leaping forward before he was seated. His master held him back while
they ascended the long slope of the hill, and stopped him as they gained
its summit.

The descent was a gradual one, down into a beautiful valley. For a mile
or two the road was perfectly straight and the rider, shading his eyes,
glanced along it. In the distance a moving object attracted his
attention, and as he gazed at it, long and strainingly, the terrible
smile once more wreathed his white lips.

He opened the holsters, drew out the pistols, examined them carefully,
replaced them, felt of the stirrup straps, tightened the girth, settled
himself in the saddle and shouted "Go!"

The command electrified the horse, and he dashed forward again faster
than ever. As they tore down the slope of the hill, it occurred to the
doctor that he had not formed any definite plan as to what he should do
to Pepeeta! "Shall I kill her, also?" he asked himself.

The thought sent a shudder through him and he instinctively pulled on
the bridle.

"My heart will tell me," he cried aloud, and loosened the reins of his
horse and of his passions. The very semblance of humanity seemed to be
suddenly obliterated from his countenance. This was no longer a man, but
an agent of destruction rushing like a missile projected from a cannon.
There were only two things present to his consciousness--the carriage
upon which he was swiftly gaining, and the fierce smiting of the horse's
hoofs which seemed to be echoing the cries of his heart for vengeance.
On he swept, nearer, nearer, nearer. He was now within hailing distance,
and his brain reeled; he forgot his discretion and his plan.

"Halt," he screamed, in a voice that cut the silent air like a knife.

A face appeared above the top of the buggy, and looked back. It was his
foe.

With a howl of rage, he snatched a pistol from the holster and fired.
The bullet went wide of the mark and the next instant he saw the
whip-lash cut the air and descend on the flank of the startled mare. The
buggy lurched forward, and for an instant drew rapidly away. Overwhelmed
by the fear that he might be baffled in his vengeance, he drew the other
pistol and fired again more wid