"My conscience orders me to act as I am doing."
"Your will be done!" and, addressing the bandit, who throughout the conversation had remained gloomy and silent, though his eyes constantly wandered from one to the other of the speakers, he said to him, "Get up!"
The pirate rose.
"Look at me," the stranger continued; "do you recognise me?"
"No," the bandit said.
The stranger seized a lighted brand, and held it up near his face.
"Look at me more carefully, Kidd," he said, in a sharp, imperious voice.
The scoundrel, who had bent forward, drew himself back with a start of fear.
"Stronghand!" he exclaimed, in a voice choked by dread.
"Ah!" the horseman said, with a sardonic smile; "I see that you recognise me now."