"What is it you want me to do?" he asked in despair.
"You can't refuse me," Vont went on, his voice strong enough now. "Watch me and listen," he added, leaning forward. "There's my hand on the Book. Here's my right hand to Heaven, and I swear by the living God that if you fail me, you shall find me to-morrow, sitting dead. That's what your broken oath will do."
"Oh, I hear," David answered drearily. "I'll keep my word. Come, what is it?"
Vont rose deliberately to his feet. All trace of passion seemed to have disappeared. He took an electric torch from his pocket and led the way to the door.
"Just follow me," he whispered.
They made their way down the little tiled path to the bottom of the garden. In the right-hand corner was what seemed to be the top of a well.
"You remember that, perhaps?"
David nodded.
"I know," he said. "I used to play down there once."
Vont rolled the top away, and, stooping down, flashed the light. There were stone steps leading to a small opening, and at the bottom the mouth of what seemed to be a tunnel. David started.