of course?"

"Yes; but they did not find him. I expected to see them return with his
corpse, thinking he must bleed to death in a very short time. But I
presume he had an accomplice who was able to stanch the flow of blood and
carry him away."

"No, I don't think he had; and if I'm not greatly mistaken I dressed his
wound in my office this morning, and left him there in charge of my boy
Nap, bidding him keep the fellow there, if possible, till I came back. I'd
better return at once, lest he should make his escape. Do you know the
man? and can you describe him?"

"I do; I can," replied Mr. Travilla. "But, my little wife, how you are
trembling! Sit down here, dearest, and lean on me," leading her to a sofa.
"And doctor, take that chair.

"The man's name is Tom Jackson; he is a noted gambler and forger, has been
convicted of manslaughter and other crimes, sent to the penitentiary and
pardoned out. He hates me because I have exposed his evil deeds, and
prevented the carrying out of some of his wicked designs. He has before
this threatened both our lives. He is about your height and build, doctor;
can assume the manners and speech of a gentleman; has dark hair, eyes, and
whiskers, regular features, and but for a sinister look would be very
handsome."

"It's he and no mistake!" cried Dr. Balis, rising in haste. "I must hurry
home and prevent his escape. Why, it's really dangerous to have him at
large. If he wasn't so disabled I'd tremble for the lives of my wife and
children.

"He trumped up a story to tell me--had his revolver in his coat pocket,
set it off in tumbling over a log in the dark, and so shot himself. Of
course I knew 'twas a lie, because in that case the ball would have
entered from below, at the back of the arm, and come out above, while the
reverse was the case."

"But how could you tell where it entered or where it passed out, doctor?"
inquired Elsie.

"How, Mrs. Travilla? Why, where it goes in it makes merely a small hole;
you see nothing but a blue mark; but a much larger opening in passing out,
often tearing the flesh a good deal; as in this case.

"Ah, either he was a fool or thought I was. But good-bye. I shall gallop
home as fast as possible and send back word whether I find him there or
not."

"Don't take the trouble, doctor," said Mr. Travilla; "we will mount and
follow you at once, to identify him if he is to be found. Shall we not,
wife?"

"If you say so, Edward, and are quite sure h