"Come out!" he commanded.
Silence was the answer and the barrel seemed to reflect the light of the few stars that shone in the vault of heaven.
"Come out or die!" he said again, and the next moment a figure arose before him.
It was Merle Macray!
"What did you call me?" asked Old Broadbrim, coolly.
The other laughed.
"I called you Roger Reef just to try you," was the answer. "But you're not the man. Pardon me, Riggs, no harm done, I hope."
The stern face of the detective did not soften.
"Who is Roger Reef?" he asked.
"A man who used to look like you, but I see now that you're Riggs and no one else. All's well out here, I suppose?"