"You are the perfect artiste, Minna," he said.
"Practise makes perfect!" replied Mrs. Malplaquet archly.
Strangwise had flung open the door leading to the front yard. A
big limousine stood outside.
"Come on," he said impatiently, "don't stand there gossiping you
two!"
Then Barbara revolted.
"I'll not go!" she exclaimed, "you can do what you like but I'll
stay where I am! Murderers..."
"Oh," said Strangwise wearily, "bring her along, Bellward!"
Bellward and the woman seized the girl one by each arm and
dragged her to the car. Strangwise had the door open and between
them they thrust her in. Bellward and the woman mounted after her
while Strangwise, after starting the engine, sprang into the
driving-seat outside. With a low hum the big car glided forth
into the cold, starry night.
From the upper floor of the Dyke Inn came the sound of a woman's
terrified sobs. Below there reigned the silence of death.
CHAPTER XXIV. THE TWO DESERTERS
Desmond drove to Wentfield Station in an angry and defiant mood.
He was incensed against Francis, incensed against the Chief, yet,
if the truth were told, most of all incensed against himself.
Not that he admitted it for a moment. He told himself that he was
very hardly used. He had undergone considerable danger in the
course of discharging a mission which was none of his seeking,
and he had met with nothing but taunts from his brother and abuse
from the Chief.
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