Then the car began to move, the headlights swung away from the face of the house and I could no longer see the window. The house was no more than a ghostly shadow in the sudden blackness.
We watched the car turn right on to the main road. We followed its headlights all the way to St. Just and traced its movement right out along the Penzance road. Only then would Dave agree to move and return to the hideout. So much had happened my brain was dazed. The girl was safe. To that extent at any rate my mind was at rest and I fell asleep with my clothes on.
I awoke at the faint sound of metal striking rock. I was sweating and the air in the dugout was stale. I rolled over and looked at my watch. It was eight-thirty. Dave was sitting on his bed, rubbing his eyes. His face was pale and beaded with sweat and there were dark rings under his eyes.
The slabs of the entrance were being struck from outside in the gallery. It was a regular beat to the form of a signal. Dave went over and drew back the bolts.
The slabs swung back and Captain Manack came in. He too, looked tired and his hair stood straight up like fine wire. He glanced quickly from one to the other of us. 'Had breakfast yet, Pryce?' he asked.
'No,' I said. 'I overslept.'
'So I see.' He was like an officer on a foot inspection. His eyes took in the frousty disorder of the dugout. At length they fixed themselves on Dave, who had retired to the farthest corner, and sat biting his nails and casting surreptitious glances at his master. Manack moved towards him. His eyes had a strange look. I began to get my things together. Those eyes of his scared me. I wondered how much of his father's madness he'd inherited. He caught hold of Dave by his collar and jerked him to his feet. 'The police were here during the night.' The words were bitten short between his clenched teeth. 'I thought you said nobody saw you coming here?'
'Well, you see — "
'I don't want any more of your lies,' he almost screamed, shaking the little Welshman to and fro. It was amazing the strength he had in those thin arms. 'You said you met no one. But the local policeman, of all people, swears he saw you coming along the main road just outside Botallack. Is that true? Answer. Did he see you?'
'Yes. I was going — "