He fired, and Rufe Kenyon ducked at the same time.
There was a scream of pain, and Muriel flung up both hands, dropping into the arms of the man behind.
Rufe Kenyon had dodged the bullet, but the boy chief of the Black Caps had suffered in his stead.
Miller seemed dazed by the result of his shot. The revolver fell from his hand, and he staggered forward, groaning:
"Kate!—I've killed her!"
Rufe Kenyon forgot his foe, dropping on one knee beside the prostrate figure of Muriel, and swiftly removing the mask.
The face of Kate Kenyon was revealed!
"Sister!" panted her brother, "be ye dead? Has that rascal killed ye?"
Her eyes opened, and she faintly said:
"Not dead yit, Rufe."