"What do you mean to do, Ricori?"

"Kill the witch," he answered quietly. "Kill her and the girl. Before the day comes. I have waited too long.

I will wait no longer. She shall kill no more."

I felt a wave of weakness. I dropped into a chair. My sight dimmed. Ricori gave me water, and I drank

thirstily. Through the roaring in my ears I heard a knocking at the door and the voice of one of Ricori's

men:

"McCann is here."

Ricori said: "Tell him to come in."

The door opened. McCann strode into the room.

"I got her-"