“An artery?” cried the doctor, growing more and more excited; “where? do you know where your ball struck?”

“A flash of lightning showed us to each other and we fired simultaneously, I aiming for his right arm.  I do not often miss my aim:  we heard his revolver fall to the floor and he fled instantly, leaving it and a trail of blood before him.”

“You had him pursued promptly, of course?”

“Yes; but they did not find him.  I expected to see them return with his corpse, thinking he must bleed to death in a very short time.  But I presume he had an accomplice who was able to stanch the flow of blood and carry him away.”

“No, I don’t think he had; and if I’m not greatly mistaken I dressed his wound in my office this morning, and left him there in charge of my boy Nap, bidding him keep the fellow there, if possible, till I came back.  I’d better return at once, lest he should make his escape.  Do you know the man? and can you describe him?”

“I do; I can,” replied Mr. Travilla.  “But, my little wife, how you are trembling!  Sit down here, dearest, and lean on me,” leading her to a sofa.  “And doctor, take that chair.

“The man’s name is Tom Jackson; he is a noted gambler and forger, has been convicted of manslaughter and other crimes, sent to the penitentiary and pardoned out.  He hates me because I have exposed his evil deeds, and prevented the carrying out of some of his wicked designs.  He has before this threatened both our lives.  He is about your height and build, doctor; can assume the manners and speech of a gentleman; has dark hair, eyes, and whiskers, regular features, and but for a sinister look would be very handsome.”

“It’s he and no mistake!” cried Dr. Balis, rising in haste.  “I must hurry home and prevent his escape.  Why, it’s really dangerous to have him at large.  If he wasn’t so disabled I’d tremble for the lives of my wife and children.

“He trumped up a story to tell me—­had his revolver in his coat pocket, set it off in tumbling over a log in the dark, and so shot himself.  Of course I knew ’twas a lie, because in that case the ball would have entered from below, at the back of the arm, and come out above, while the reverse was the case.”

“But how could you tell where it entered or where it passed out, doctor?” inquired Elsie.

“How, Mrs. Travilla?  Why, where it goes in it makes merely a small hole; you see nothing but a blue mark; but a much larger opening in passing out, often tearing the flesh a good deal; as in this case.

“Ah, either he was a fool or thought I was.  But good-bye.  I shall gallop home as fast as possible and send back word whether I find him there or not.”

“Don’t take the trouble, doctor,” said Mr. Travilla; “we will mount and follow you at once, to identify him if he is to be found.  Shall we not, wife?”

“If you say so, Edward, and are quite sure he cannot harm you now?”