Stealing into the alley, Nick quickly scaled the high, wooden fence, crossed two adjoining back yards, and thus reached a wall near the stable mentioned. To mount the wall and drop back of the stable was equally feasible, and Nick then had the rear of Cervera's dwelling plainly in view. Then his searching gaze was rewarded. One of the rear rooms was brightly lighted, with only the lace draperies at the two windows preventing observation from outside. "Evidently a rear sitting room, or library," thought Nick, calculating the arrangement of the house. "I will at least learn who is in there." He listened briefly for any sound in or about the stable, then stole quickly across the gloomy, paved yard and approached the house. The windows of the lighted room were two feet or more above his head; but having reached a position just below one of them, he sprang up and seized the stone coping outside, and drew himself up to peer into the room. Then, just as his head rose into the glow of light from within, clearly revealing his location, Nick heard a sound the deadly nature of which he instantly recognized. Ping! It was the short, sharp, peculiar song of a flying bullet--once heard, always remembered. Then came the dull thud when the leaden ball beat itself shapeless against the stone wall beside him. The bullet had passed within an inch of Nick's ribs, and he knew at once that he was now a mark for hidden foes. Yet there had been no revolver report to suggest their location, and Nick instantly surmised that the ball must have been discharged with an air gun. He knew that it must have come from some quarter behind him, however. And he knew, too, how to bring his murderous assailants from their secret cover. As quick as a flash, the instant the ball smote the wall beside him, Nick let go his hold upon the stone coping and dropped into the darkness below the window, falling prostrate upon his back. As he lay there his hand touched something hot, and he drew it nearer to examine it. It was the battered chunk of lead which had come within an inch of ending his life. "They meant business, for sure," he said to himself, while waiting for his quick-witted ruse to operate. "I'm blessed if this affair is not taking on a new and lively interest. I reckon there'll be more doing to-night than I gave Patsy to believe. "Ha, ha! The scoundrels are already breaking cover!" His alert ears had detected a sound from the direction of the stable, and now he silently drew his revolver and held it gripped by his side. Presently the stable door was cautiously opened. Then a momentary beam of light, evidently from a bull's-eye lantern, shot across the paved area, and lingered for an instant upon Nick's prostrate figure. Nick remained as motionless as a corpse. Then two men, both large and powerful fellows, and both heavily bearded, came quickly from the stable and hastened toward him. "Done for with a single shot," remarked one, as they approached.