"No, you're not to blame. You did all you could. I know you'd have saved her had it been possible. Did he say how long he'd wait?"
"No, he set no time limit. He only said that when Royce came back to him he'd let Sue go."
"But he'll kill the boy," Jeb groaned.
"Do—do you think so?" Bob stammered.
"I'm afraid so."
"Well, he'll have the chance."
Royce was standing in the doorway as they looked up.
"You mean—?"
"That I'm going to Hains at once, of course."
There was no trace of bravado in his voice as he made the statement, only a fixed determination.