And with that the clock, having performed its duty, though so long before its time, disintegrated, the works falling piecemeal into the green fluid, there forming a melancholy little heap of submerged wreckage.
No one seemed to know what to say, until Mr. Harvie came to the rescue.
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 them?"
"Anything you like, my dear."
Alan and Teddy approached the girls, 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's my revolver?"