Agostino took her by the hand and placed her with her back against the door, telling her to keep perfectly still, and the child, accustomed to that sort of thing, showed neither alarm nor surprise, but stood quietly, looking straight before her with perfect serenity, while Agostino, at the other end of the room, standing with one foot advanced, balanced the dread navaja in his hand.

Suddenly with a quick jerking movement he sent it flying through the air, and it struck into the wooden door, just over Chiquita's head.

As it darted by, like a flash of lightning, the spectators had involuntarily closed their eyes for a second, but the fragile child's long dark eyelashes did not even quiver.

The brigand's wonderful skill elicited a loud burst of admiration and applause from an audience not easily surprised or pleased, in which even the man who had lost his water joined enthusiastically.

Agostino went and drew out the knife, which was still vibrating, and returning to his place this time sent it in between Chiquita's arm--which was hanging down by her side--and her body; if it had deviated a hair's breadth it must have wounded her.