While he stood, measuring the altitude with his eyes, Nick heard Cervera returning.
Then a great bunch of flaming paper came flying down the well, and the detective was forced to leap aside to escape it.
She-devil, indeed, Cervera had set fire to a crumpled newspaper, with which to illuminate the bottom of the well.
"Ah, there you are!" she exultingly cried, on discovering Nick in the glare of the light. "On your feet, eh? You were lucky to escape, Detective Carter."
"And you'll be lucky if you escape Detective Carter," sternly retorted Nick, quickly stamping out the fire. "I'll finally land you, my crafty young woman, though I lie awake nights to devise a way."
Cervera gave vent to a shrill, vindictive laugh.
"Do you think you can do it?" she demanded, mockingly.
"You'll find that I can."
"Better men than you have tried—and failed."
"Yet I shall succeed."