Read Online The Mark of Zorro by JOHNSTON MCCULLEY - Free Book Online Page A

Sergeant Gonzales shrieked, he being in charge of the squad. “To horse, and after him! I give the man who overtakes him one-third of all the reward!”
    The big sergeant rushed from the house, the men at his heels, and they tumbled into their saddles and rode furiously through the darkness, following the sound of the beating hooves.
    â€œLights! Lights!” Don Carlos was shrieking inside the house.
    A servant came with a brand, and the candles were lighted again. Don Carlos stood in the middle of the room, shaking his fists in impotent rage. Señorita Lolita crouched in a corner, her eyes wide with fear. Doña Catalina, fully recovered now from her fainting spell, came from her own room to ascertain the cause of the commotion.
    â€œThe rascal got away!” Don Carlos said. “It is to be hoped that the soldiers capture him.”
    â€œAt least he is clever and brave,” Señorita Lolita said.
    â€œI grant him that, but he is a highwayman and a thief!” Don Carlos roared. “Why should he torment me by visiting my house?”
    Señorita Lolita thought she knew, but she would be the last one to explain to her parents. There was a faint blush on her face yet because of the arm that had squeezed her and the words that had been whispered in her ear.
    Don Carlos threw the front door open wide and stood in it, listening. To his ears came the sound of galloping hooves once more.
    â€œMy sword!” he cried to a servant. “Someone comes—it may be the rascal returning! It is but one rider, by the saints!”
    The galloping stopped; a man made his way across the veranda and hurried through the door into the room.
    â€œThank the good saints!” Don Carlos gasped.
    It was not the highwayman returned; it was Captain Ramón, comandante of the presidio at Reina de Los Angeles.
    â€œWhere are my men?” the captain cried.
    â€œGone, señor! Gone after that pig of a highwayman!” Don Carlos informed him.
    â€œHe escaped?”
    â€œHe did, with your men surrounding the house. He dashed the candles to the floor, ran through the kitchen—”
    â€œThe men took after him?”
    â€œThey are upon his heels, señor.”
    â€œHa! It is to be hoped that they catch this pretty bird. He is a thorn in the side of the soldiery. We do not catch him, and because we do not, the governor sends sarcastic letters by his courier. This Señor Zorro is a clever gentleman, but he will be captured yet!”
    And then Captain Ramón walked further into the room, and perceived the ladies, and swept off his cap and bowed before them.
    â€œYou must pardon my bold entrance,” he said. “When an officer is on duty—”
    â€œThe pardon is granted freely,” said Doña Catalina. “You have met my daughter?”
    â€œI have not had the honor.”
    The doña presented them, and Lolita retreated to her corner again and observed the soldier. He was not ill to look at—fall and straight and in a brilliant uniform, and with sword dangling at his side. As for the captain, he never had set eyes upon Señorita Lolita before, for he had been at the post at Reina de Los Angeles but a month, having been transferred there from Santa Barbara.
    But now that he had looked at her once, he looked a second time, and a third. There was a sudden light in his eyes that pleased Doña Catalina. If Lolita could not look with favor upon Don Diego Vega, perhaps she would look with favor upon this Captain Ramón, and to have her wedded to an officer would mean that the Pulido family would have some protection.
    â€œI could not find my men now in the darkness,” the captain said, “and so, if it is not presuming too much, I shall remain here and await their return.”
    â€œBy all means,” Don Carlos said. “Be seated, señor, and I’ll have a servant fetch wine.”
    â€œThis Señor Zorro has about had his run,” the