"It seems ages, but I think it must have been about the middle of the day."
"And when did Fenton come back?"
"Just as it was growing dark. He had been down to the river to get the yacht ready, and had left one of the men here to look after me. He told me exactly what he meant to do—that he was going to take me away on the boat and keep me there until—until——" Her voice faltered.
"I know," said Colin quickly. "I've had the whole story from Medwin!"
"The whole story! Oh, Colin, what does it mean? Why should he——"
"You shall hear everything in a minute," he interrupted. "Just tell me first what happened when we broke into the house."
"It was all over so quickly," said Nancy. "He was in there talking to me and threatening me when he suddenly heard a tremendous crash, and one of the others—the man they call Spike—rushed into the room and shouted out something about the police. Before I could——" She stopped abruptly. "Listen!" she exclaimed. "They're coming back."
There was a sound of voices and steps on the verandah outside, and, letting go Nancy's hands, Colin jumped to his feet.
He walked across to the sitting-room door, where the sight which met his eyes caused him to hurry forward with a sudden exclamation of dismay. The Inspector and Joe were coming in through the window, carrying between them the limp, unconscious body of Sergeant Bentley.
Marsden glanced round, his usually stolid face flushed and contorted.