A moment later two sounds were heard, one almost in answer to the other. First came Ballard’s heavy tread upon the threshold of the landing. Then somewhere in the distance, a startled horse gave voice to its weary confusion.
As if with one mind the women sought each other out. Then locking arms, they turned all senses outward, poised for instantaneous action. Together they heard the rough speech of the men outside the door, at the same time wondering with secret hope what rider had approached the outer walls, where none had come before.
“Where have you been?” growled Purceville angrily. “What did you do with him?”
“Mister Cummings met with an accident. He was in such haste to bring help to his dying master, that he missed his footing and fell headlong down the stairs. Broke his neck. An ugly accident, but natural enough.”
“Good,” said Purceville more calmly. “Good work.” But Ballard would have none of it.
“So the death of these two we can explain,” he said flatly. “But how are you going to explain throttling them bitches?”
“I’m not, Lieutenant, and I suggest you watch your tongue.” He paused, perceiving for the first time the danger of the man before him. Not even his son knew more..... “We throw the bodies out the window, then have them collected by Simon’s men and hurled into the sea. Arthur’s escort will be too unnerved by his death to remember why he came here tonight, if they ever knew. Then tomorrow we put two other women in their place---my former mistress and her mother---who’ll say only what we tell them to say. All done as neat as neat.”
“Well it don’t sound such a sure thing to me,” rumbled Ballard, whose one thought amidst the closing web of treacheries was to have his way with the girl, possibly even steal her away.
“So who bloody asked you!” cried Purceville, drawing a great pistol from the inner lining of his coat. But the sudden outburst brought an answering pain from his chest, and he fell back against the wall for support. Yet he still had fire enough to point the weapon squarely at his subordinate, who had taken a menacing step towards him.
“I catch my breath. . .then we go in, and do it!” Ballard could only glare at him, his hopes for lust slipping away.