"Ah, you found me, then?"
"Yes, about three hours back."
"Thanks for the aid you gave me; had it not been for that, I should probably be dead."
"Very possibly; but do not be in a hurry to thank us."
"Why not?" Don Stefano suddenly said, as he cocked his ears at this ambiguous answer, which seemed to him a disguised threat.
"Eh, who knows?" Marksman retorted, simply; "No one can answer for the future."
Don Stefano, whose strength was rapidly returning, and who had already regained all his lucidity of mind, rose quickly, and fixed on the Canadian a glance which seemed meant to read his most intricate thoughts. "I am not your prisoner, though?"
"Hum!" was all the hunter replied.
This interjection made the wounded man thoughtful, and disturbed him more than a long phrase. "Let us speak frankly," he said, after a few moments' reflection.
"I wish for nothing better."