The
life-preserver bent and quivered behind him, cut the air with a swish and
crashed full upon the head.
The man staggered back. The weapon fell from his fingers. For a moment he
was paralysed. There was no blood upon his hand, no cry--silence inhuman,
unnatural! He looked again. Then the lights flashed out all around him.
There were two detectives in the doorway, their revolvers covering
him,--Sanford Quest, with Lenora in the background. In the sudden
illumination, Macdougal's horror turned almost to hysterical rage. He had
wasted his fury upon a dummy! It was sawdust, not blood, which littered
the couch!
"Take him, men," Quest ordered. "Hands up, Macdougal. Your number's up.
Better take it quietly."
The handcuffs were upon him before he could move. He was trying to speak,
but the words somehow choked in his mouth.
"You can send a wireless to Lord Ashleigh," Quest continued, turning to
French. "Tell him that the diamonds have been recovered and that his
daughter's murderer is arrested."
"What about the young woman?" the Inspector asked.
Lenora stood in an attitude of despair, her head downcast. She had turned
a little away from Macdougal. Her hands were outstretched. It was as
though she were expecting the handcuffs.
"You can let her alone," Sanford Quest said quietly. "A wife cannot give
evidence against her husband, and besides, I need her. She is going to
work for me."
Macdougal was already at the door, between the two detectives.
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