“Not I,” said Tom, proudly. “I am here for a purpose; if it is necessary for me to be blindfolded to carry it through, then blindfolded I will be. I have faced sterner things than darkness and a single man, sir, many times.” The scarred-faced man laughed. “They told me that you were not lacking in courage,” said he; “and I find that they were right. But come,” he took a large black kerchief from his pocket, “we have no time to lose.” He urged his big gray horse alongside Sultan; in a moment the black kerchief was tightly tied about Tom’s eyes; the lad could not see anything--all was dark--black--unknown! “I will ride slightly ahead,” said the man quietly when his task was done. “Give your horse a free rein; he will follow mine, and in that way you need have no fear of his carrying you into danger.” Tom said nothing in reply; he was not quite as sure of this as the guide seemed to think he should be. It was a strange experience to be riding through the enemy’s country, under the guidance of a stranger and upon an errand whose every element breathed mystery; he did not know at what moment a quick, deadly blow might fall upon him; his hand rested upon the butt of his pistol, ready to draw it forth at a moment’s notice; his ears were constantly strained to catch the slightest sound that might portend danger. They rode for a long time, then suddenly turned off the road, and headed across a plantation which lay to the left. They continued across this for some time, then turned off another road, and this time to the right. Within the next half hour they turned and twisted in many directions; Tom realized that the purpose was to confuse him; the place where he was to meet the writer of the strange message was to remain a mystery, it was considered necessary to prevent his knowing the way there did he ever desire to repeat the visit. At last the hoofs began to ring upon harder ground; the guide drew up, and from the creaking sound, Tom knew that he was opening a gate. He was cool and collected, but he could not help his breath coming a little quicker; he was almost at the end of the adventure; in a few moments he would know all. They rode inside and the gate closed behind them. Tom heard some low, guarded words addressed to his companion, but could not catch their meaning. Then came the quick command: “Dismount!” He slid to the ground and stood leaning against Sultan’s shoulder, unable to take a step in safety because of the blinding kerchief. A hand was placed upon his shoulder, and a new voice, rather less brusque than that of the man with the scar on his face, said: “Now, my friend, I am going to lead you to the person you desire to see. Under no circumstances attempt to remove the bandage from your eyes until told; this affair is a most dangerous one, and the utmost secrecy must be maintained. You understand that, of course.”