"I blazed away; and, Nick, I put five bullets through that figure just as sure as you're an inch high."
"What happened then?"
"The light went out. I got to your side, and flashed your lantern in half a second.
"The figure had vanished. The colonel's lamp stood on the sideboard just where he had put it.
"We had a fair light very soon. I examined you first, and, upon my word, I thought that you were done for.
"We got you up to this room, and Horace Richmond rode off for the doctor.
"From what he said about a nervous shock you can judge how much he knows.
"His help wasn't worth anything. I will back myself against him any day.
"I made sure that you were only stunned, and would come to all right. Then I hurried down to that room and began my search.
"Well, you know that room. It is simply built up of traps and panels. A man can go through the floor or the walls almost anywhere.