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 So he was much astonished one night about a week after his return by a terrific din in the backyard.

First there was an angry snarl from Silversheene, and then two shots fired in quick succession. At the sound of the revolver Dick's heart went sick. He had been too sure that Silversheene could take care of himself. Perhaps the greaser had gotten him at close range. But the shots were immediately followed by a series of blood-curdling yells in a high-keyed, frenzied voice that sounded very much like Pedro's. As these yells continued and they were intermingled with more furious snarls from Silversheene, Dick concluded he was giving a good account of himself. So without waiting to dress he ran downstairs, two steps at a time, and hurried into the yard. This was what had happened in the meantime in the backyard.

Silversheene had been lying on the top of a low brick wall which enclosed the garden at the back of the house. He felt quite