‘No! My girl must be down there. She couldn’t have got through. I’m going to look for her. If they spot me, start shooting, and get Barratt first.’
He nodded, and I began the slow, dangerous climb down into the quarry. Every now and then I dislodged a shower of stones, and I ducked behind a bush, holding my breath. But the men working below me were far too busy getting the boxes into the truck to be on their guard.
Keeping in the shadow, I reached the bottom of the quarry. There was plenty of cover, and I worked my way silently over the ground towards the trucks.
I could hear Barrett’s voice as be cursed the sweating men, telling them to hurry. I kept on until I reached the loaded truck. On its blind side, I stood up and looked inside the cabin.
Paula was in there, tied hand and foot and gagged. She turned her head and we looked at each other. I opened the cabin door and swung myself up inside.
She looked pale and a little scared, but as soon as I got the gag off she smiled at me.
‘Am I glad to see you,’ she said huskily.
‘That makes two of us,’ I said, cutting the cord that tied her wrists. What happened? Did you walk right into them?’
She nodded, rubbing her wrists while I freed her ankles.
‘He still thinks you’re in the mine,’ she told me. ‘He hasn’t an idea that I’ve been in there. He thought I was trying to find a way in. As soon as they have finished loading, he intends to take me in there and leave me there.’