The Colonel bent low over his cups and laughed at a joke the Sublieutenant whispered.
A shot rang out from the wall of the house.
A piercing scream echoed from the tower against the roof.
Something crashed through the vines and struck the stone walk with a dull thud.
“O my God!” Virginia moaned, covering her ears.
Virginia leaped from the floor and heard the quick familiar step of Billy passing the back door.
He was hiding on the lawn, heard Zonia’s first scream, and had killed the officer. Virginia saw it in a flash.
Their vengeance would be complete when they knew the truth. She must escape. There was work to be done for her country and she meant to do it. Life was too precious to be thrown away tonight.
She glided silently toward the door, reached the hall, seized Zonia’s hand, passed the guard and reached the lawn.
“Follow her!” the Colonel shouted. “Bring her back dead or alive—I’ll not be flouted by women!”