TOM MAKES AN UNEXPECTED CAPTURE For an unearthly scream pierced the air.

There was a wrench, a bounding figure---and then Tom Reade felt a jolt near his solar plexus that made him gasp.
"Stop that!" gasped the young chief engineer.
"You, Senor ?" demanded an incredible, drowsy voice.
"Yes; it's I---Reade." "A thousand pardons, Senor!" "So this is you, Nicolas ?" "Yes, Senor." "What are you doing here ?" "The negro got away from me." "I know that, but---" "I could not help it, Senor.

I assure you I was not careless." "I never knew you to be careless, Nicolas." "Thank you, Senor.

But I stood over that black scoundrel, watching for the slightest move on his part.

I had my forefinger ready, and he did not dare move." "I can quite believe that," agreed Tom, dryly, "after the poke you just gave me." "Again a thousand pardons, Senor, but in the dark, and awaking so suddenly, I did not see you or know you." "I can quite believe that, Nicolas." "As I was saying, Senor, I was watching over the black man when some one came up behind me---so softly that I did not hear.