But you will not have failed to note
that the several attacks upon the Colonel personally were made with
more ordinary weapons. On two occasions at least a rifle was employed."
"Yes," I replied, slowly. "You are wondering why the lingering sickness
did not visit him?"
"I am, Knox. I can only suppose that he proved to be immune. You recall
his statement that he made an almost miraculous recovery from the fever
which attacked him after his visit to the Black Belt? This would seem
to point to the fact that he possesses that rare type of constitution
which almost defies organisms deadly to ordinary men."
"I see. Hence the dagger and the rifle?"
"So it would appear."
"But, Harley," I cried, "what appalling crime can the man have
committed to call down upon his head a vengeance which has survived
for so many years?"
Paul Harley shrugged his shoulders in a whimsical imitation of the
Spaniard.
"I doubt if the feud dates any earlier," he replied, "than the time of
Menendez's last return to Cuba. On that occasion he evidently killed
the High Priest of Voodoo."
I uttered an exclamation of scorn.
"My dear Harley," I said, "the whole thing is too utterly fantastic.
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