The Mark of Zorro

The stranger stood in the dark shadows by the door. His large sombrero was pulled down over his eyes. He wore a long dark cloak around his body.

Then the stranger stepped forward into the light. Sergenant Gonzales's eyes were wide with surprise. The stranger was wearing a black mask. There were two holes in the mask. Through these holes, his bright eyes were watching everything.

"I'm Seňor Zorro," said the man. "And I'm here to speak to you." He pointed at Gonzales. "Four days ago you stopped a man on the road and beat him cruelly. The man was poor and weak. He hadn't done anything wrong. I'm a friend of that poor man. I've come to punish you."

A Note About This Story 4

The People in This Story 5

1 A Stormy Night 6

2 The Man in the Mask 10

3 Don Diego Wants a Wife 14

4 Lolita's Three Admires 20

5 A Visit From Captain Ramon 25

6 The Chase 30

7 At the Preidio 34

8 The Whipping Post 39

9 At the Hacienda of Don Alejandro 43

10 The Pulidos Are Arrested 46

11 At the Jail 49

12 The Mask of Zorro 54

13 "Take Off Your Mask, Seňor!" 58



Points for Understanding 62