"The maids too?"
"Yes, the maids too."
"Good. Now will you do one thing more—the hardest of all? I want you to send a message to Desmond. Can you arrange it?"
"Tell me what your message is, and I may be able to answer you."
"I want you to tell him that he must at all costs contrive to keep Grundt from going to that shoot to-morrow ... at any rate between ten and twelve. He must manage to let Grundt believe that he is going to tell him where Grundt may find what he is after ... but he must keep him in suspense during those hours."
"And after?"
"There will be no after," I said.
"I will see that Des gets your message," Monica replied, "for I will take it myself."
"No, Monica," I said, "I don't want..."
"Francis," ...she spoke almost in a whisper ... "my life in this country is over," ... and she touched her widow's weeds.... "Karl was killed at Predeal three weeks ago.... You know as well as I do that I am involved in this affair as much as you and Des ... and I will share the risk if only you will take me away with you ... that is if you ..." She faltered.