Captain Joaquin measured off twenty paces, walking with his back to Dick and trusting him fully.
Perhaps he felt that he could trust to the honor of a man who would thus give him a chance for his life after having caught him and made him prisoner.
Not only was Dick doing that, but he was running the risk of his own life by so doing. He was making it an even toss between right and wrong, between law and outlaw, between justice and iniquity.
Captain Joaquin stopped and faced around.
"Are you ready?" he coolly asked.
"One moment," said Dick.
"What is it?"
"I do not want to take any advantage of you, nor do I mean to allow you to take any advantage of me if I can help it."
"That is right."
"We must have a signal to fire by, and it must be one that neither of us can mistake."