madmen. We dared not encourage such a spirit. On the other hand, though they did not belong to us, we remained on friendly terms with them. It was a matter of vital importance that brought me there that night. I, alone in the midst of a score of men, was the only person unmasked. After the business that brought me there was transacted, I was led away by one of them. In a dark passage this guide struck a match, and, holding it close to his face, slipped back his mask. For a moment I gazed upon the passion-wrought features of Peter Donnelly. Then the match went out.
“I just wanted you to know it was me,” he said in the darkness. “D’you remember Dallas, the superintendent?”
I nodded at recollection of the vulpine-faced superintendent of the Sierra Mills.
“Well, I got him first,” Donnelly said with pride. “’Twas after that I joined the Reds.”
“But how comes it that you are here?” I queried. “Your wife and children?”
“Dead,” he answered.