Roland laughed defiantly. Then he suddenly broke Oliver’s hold and struck the hand of his brother aside.
A moment later Oliver flew at Roland with terrible fury, grasping him by the throat.
Then began a desperate encounter between the brothers. Roland found Oliver desperate and determined. For at least ten minutes they fought, and at last Oliver had thrown his brother to the floor and pinned him there. Then he thrust his hand into Roland’s pocket and drew out the envelope that the youthful villain had prepared to deceive Anton Mescal.
“I have it!” exclaimed Oliver triumphantly.
“Well, keep it!” grated Roland, inwardly delighted over the fact that the message was safe and Oliver was deceived. “Let me up! You ought to be satisfied.”
Having put the letter in his pocket, Oliver quickly leaped to his feet and backed away, saying:
“I am satisfied in getting the message, but I’d had it even though you had forced me to kill you!”
“You’re a nice one!” snapped Roland, sitting up. “You’re a fine brother to have!”
“I can return the compliment with interest. But never again will I shoulder any of your wrong-doing, Roland. If you get into a bad scrape in the future through your actions, you must not look to me for assistance.”
“Oh, I won’t! Don’t worry about that. After to-night we are no longer brothers! You are my enemy!”