Once more he looked across the space and tried to detect a quivering of her muscles, but failed.
Belle Demona fell back a step, and the deadly weapon looked Jem fairly in the face.
"When I pass from this room to fight to the bitter end the battle of life against the minions of the law, you will not be a witness against me," she said. "Your time is up, Jem!"
The finger against the trigger moved a little.
A jet of fire leaped into the man's face, and he reeled against the walls, throwing up his hands with a cry.
She appeared riveted to the floor while she watched the sinking body that finally reached the carpet with a white face turned toward hers.
Jem, the Sydneyite, did not move after striking the floor, and Belle Demona remained in her tracks a full minute.
Presently, with a last look at her victim, she moved toward the door, which she locked behind her.
With steady step she descended the stairs and looked in upon Meg in the lower room.
The face of the old woman was as white as that of the dead overhead and she greeted Belle Demona with a look which told that she knew all.