Tomorrow Espinosa will put you under one ofthe
stone flags in the kitchen.
Ann stepped through the doorway and her fingers
reached for theswitch.
After all, perhaps - - - And hebroke off
hurriedly.
She shookher swaying prisoner with a gentleness as
dreadful as her quiet voice.
The intruder moved without a sound to the
doubledoor, of which Hanaud had opened one leaf. But dark as it was, they saw the
glitter of his eyes.
Now, she warned them in a voice which
shook.
No doubt Espinosa is under lock and key by now. I
lookat the position of the hand without looking at the letters. The great Monsieur
Hanaud is coming from Paris to look atthem.
I shall turn the lights out here and call you in. A
dignityshone out of the man like a strong light, and with it he was gentle
andconsiderate. Did you notice his accent when youstopped at the fork of the roads
in the Val Terzon?
She wascold, as though she had slept long in her
arm - chair. You know nowwith what ease that could be done.
A moan ofpain broke from her lips, and with that
consciousness returned to her. Even at that moment Anns lips twitched alittle with
humour as she read the embarrassed note. They can claim thepresence of their legal
adviser when they are being examined by thejudge.
And whenthis was done, within the room the lights
went on. She tried to sit up, and finding that she could not, tore at thecords which
bound her wrists.
Crunch one of them between your teeth and -
fifteenminutes?
Betty swayed upon her feet and steadied herself.
And theposition of the hands gave the hour as precisely half - past ten. She was
more annoyed thanever when she read the contents, but her terror had decreased. It
seemedthat there was no further reason for precautions.
Up till now he hadbeen alert, competent and without
_expression_. The great Monsieur Hanaud is coming from Paris to look
atthem.
It had been inscrutable to him then, but it was as
plain as printnow.
Up till now he hadbeen alert, competent and without
_expression_. The front door was unlatched, that was clear.
With asimultaneous movement they all turned again
to the mirror; and themystery was explained.
Some stroke was to be delivered upon BettyHarlowe
from which there could be no recovery.
They had agreed, heand Hanaud, that there was a
gang involved in all these crimes.
Ann stepped forward, felt for and found the
handle.
The sound of the girls sobbingwas music in her
ears.
Who went straight out from the MaisonGrenelle the
moment I had gone, and went alone? It seemed as though it needed just that
interchange of glances toawaken her.