As his tall figure stood out plainly in the bright light against the white dust, a streak of fire leaped from the elder-blossoms and there rang out the sharp report of a rifle.

There were two screams from the veranda.

One white figure ran into the house.

The other, a little one with a gauzy wrap streaming behind, came flying out into the moonlight--straight to Harkless.

There was a second report; the rifle-shot was answered by a revolver.