"If he
does--"
"_Caramba!_ do you stop to question?" Cervera furiously interrupted. "If
he takes me from this house he will take me--dead!"
"But--"
"Quick--he's at the door! Leave him to me alone, and do what I told you!
Away! There's the bell!"
Venner caught up his coat, darted down the back stairs and quickly
departed by the way mentioned.
At the same time, while Nick's summons was still echoing through the
great house, Sanetta Cervera swept haughtily through the main hall,
switched on the electric light, and then opened the front door.
She appeared as cool and composed as if she had just arisen from her
dinner.
Yet in the vestibule stood the one man whom she had most cause to fear,
the man who now held her fate in his hand--Nick Carter.
CHAPTER XIII.
CRAFTY CERVERA.
"Good-evening, Mr. Venner. Oh, it's not you!"
"Oh, yes, 'tis!" said Nick, dryly. "It's I all right, and I'm it. You
appear surprised at seeing me, Senora Cervera."
Cervera had begun, then stopped, then uttered the startled exclamation;
and all with the utmost coolness, with the air of one stirred only by
genuine surprise, and as if without the slightest fear or dismay upon
beholding Nick Carter in the vestibule.
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