"Why, what's the matter?" he cried.
"Nothing, except that some one tried to kill me just now."
"Tried to kill you?"
"Yes; look here."
Dan removed the handkerchief, and Sam, with gentle fingers, made a careful examination of the wound.
"Punched a hole right through the lobe of your ear. Who did that?" he demanded in a low, tense voice.
"I wish I knew."
"How did they do it? It looks as if you had been shot."
"They did it with this, Sam," answered Dan, exhibiting the marline spike.
Sam uttered a low growl, as he took the pointed spike, holding it in his hand reflectively.