Part 46 (1/2)

He advanced and congratulated Marjorie

”And you, too, Miss Lancaster,” he said kindly

Doris rose and gave him her hand ”It's really true, isn't it?” she whispered ”And I can do anything I like with the you like, irls, but Bullard was before them The man refused to believe he was beaten

”Doris,” he said, almost pleasantly, ”now that the clock has stopped, I feel at liberty to announce our engagement”

She looked at him bravely, but did not speak

He lowered his voice ”Your father's debt to the Syndicate is paid, but--”

”Oh, you worm!” cried Marjorie ”Where'shiely: ”How dare you speak to a lady?”

”Bravo, Mr Craik!” Guidet chuckled ”Another good bean!”

”Leave him to oing to get it! Look here, Bullard!” He held up an inch of fine gold chain with a nugget attached, and Bullard wilted ”If you aren't out of this country within three days, and if you ever defile it again, I'll use this, though I should get five years for holding it back Now go!”

Bullard turned to the door

”Oh, stop hio without the Green Box”

Bullard made a dash, but the Frenchht box and key For an instant Bullard looked as if he would send the thing crashi+ng ast the midst of them all Then he took it and went

”Mr France,” said Caw, ”please take ht off the preates,” said Teddy

And so Francis Bullard realised that he was beaten at last Yet even in the agony of rage and hate and defeat that shook his being as he turned fro was final!

South Africa was before hie to be planned Revenge! He could think of nothing else--not even of soe on himself

He came to the wood, started the car, and backed it out to the road Then he set off for Glasgow at a more reckless pace than usual--and suddenly remembered that the Green Box was on the seat beside hiot rid of! The water--that was the place He prepared to slon No, not yet Better get past that bit where the road ran so high above the shore He put on speed again, and then--

A snarl behind him, a hot breath on his ear, and two hands fastened viciously about his neck

”Stop the car!” quacked the voice of Edwin Marvel ”My turn now! I've been waiting for this, you beast, you liar, you swindler! Stop the car!”

repeated the madman, and wrenched at his captive's throat so that the latter's hands were torn fro, or whatever it was, cale The car swerved, left the road, ran up a short, gentle, grassy slope, tilted at the sued to the rocky shore

There was an appalling explosion

CHAPTER XXIX