All he could see was a figure clothed entirely in black, even to hands and face, with only holes for eyes, nose and mouth.
He stood perfectly still; the shock was so sudden.

There was something determined and deadly in the pose of the figure before him, in the touch of the weapon, in the clearness of the light.

His eyes dropped, and fixed involuntarily upon the lantern.
He had a revolver with him; but it was useless to attempt to defend himself with it.

Not a word had been spoken.

Presently, with the fingers that held the lantern, his assailant made a motion of Hands up! There was no reason why he should risk his life without a chance of winning, so he put up his hands.