Carol waited until after the child had gone , then she sprang out of bed and started quickly to dress . she would waken Jacques and get him to drive her into Nice to Jimmy &apos;s hotel and together they would go to the police with the diamond and emerald clip . she did n&apos;t want to bring Ray into this . he had sentimental loyalties towards Grant . he might still give him the chance to escape , and if Grant did escape all hope of proving Ray &apos;s innocence would be gone . but she knew she had to act - and to act quickly . she had already aroused Grant &apos;s suspicions by her questions . she went quietly down the staircase . there was only a short distance through the foyer before she reached the front door . but when she tried to close it after her a foot was forced in the open doorway . her shoulder was seized , and before she could scream a pad was thrust into her mouth . she felt something shoved into her ribs , and turning slightly sideways she saw it was the nozzle of a revolver . keep going , Grant said in a low harsh voice . one false movement and you &apos;re as good as dead . do n&apos;t kid yourself I &apos;ll be timid about using this revolver ; it &apos;s my life or yours . she could n&apos;t scream because of the gag in her mouth and he held both her hands tightly behind her back . he made her walk round to the garage and once there he bound both her arms and her legs tightly . then he bundled her into the back of his car , laying her on the floor . it had all happened so quickly she felt completely numb . and anyhow she had had no chance ; he had taken her completely unawares . she had n&apos;t even time to think where he might be taking her or what he intended to do with her . he threw a rug over her and shortly afterwards she heard him start up the car . Jacques slept above the garage , but he was used to Grant taking his car out at night . Ray and Sarah were also accustomed to it . even if they were still awake they would suspect nothing . it was no consolation to know that Jimmy and she had been right , that Grant obviously had not only been the notorious jewel thief but had also murdered Greta . it seemed reasonable to suppose he had murdered her because she had come upon him in the act of stealing her jewellery . for once his timing had been wrong . he would n&apos;t have made the attempt if he had n&apos;t thought she would be out and he had undoubtedly known that the few servants , who slept in another wing , were asleep and would hear nothing . probably he had had inside knowledge from one of them . it had obviously been the same with the other robberies he had pulled off . but the knowledge that she and Jimmy had been right did n&apos;t help her now . she did n&apos;t think that Grant would show her any more mercy than he had shown Greta . she blinked up at the stars and occasionally she saw lights and heard traffic as though they were passing through villages or towns . but presently they began to climb up a twisting road . they climbed higher and higher . the thought flashed through her mind , this is the Grande Corniche , the scenic highway road which links Nice and Monte Carlo . very few people drove the Grande Corniche at night ; they either drove round the Moyenne Corniche or the road that skirted the Mediterranean . her heart sank . what hope would she have of rescue in this desolate region ? Jimmy had warned her that questioning Grant might be dangerous . but what had finally prompted him to abduct her in this way with the obvious purpose of killing her ? did he know that she had Greta &apos;s clip ? he might easily have been listening outside the door . but if he had been , Sarah was equally in danger ; it was she who had found the clip in his car . she felt icy cold and completely desperate . he would have no hesitation about getting rid of the child as well as her in case she babbled something about the clip . or would he be afraid to kill Sarah ? he had done his best to put the blame for Greta &apos;s death on Ray ; but surely the police would never suspect that Ray had murdered his own daughter ? the thought gave her hope , though her own predicament was still as desperate . Grant was driving the car carefully . obviously he did n&apos;t wish to be stopped for speeding . but finally after a terrific climb he drew the car to a standstill . Carol had managed to twist the rug off her head . she saw that it was a beautiful Mediterranean night with a full moon , a blue-black sky , and the stars were shining brightly . what a night on which to die , she thought , trying to feel amused . but it was impossible to feel amused for the cord with which he had bound her cut into her wrists and ankles ; the gag hurt her mouth . how would he kill her ? a shot would be the most merciful end and she knew he had a revolver with him . he came round and opened the back door of the car . had a nice ride ? he asked in a hoarse , cynical voice . he removed the gag and untied her legs . the sudden sensation of freedom from her cramped position was almost exhilarating . few people pass here at night , he said , and I still have my gun . so you will n&apos;t dare scream . I heard you and Sarah talking so I crept to your door and listened . I &apos;ve been worried about that damned clip ever since I lost it . you &apos;re not a fool . I know you &apos;ve put two and two together ever since the child told you about the clip . but you suspected me before that , did n&apos;t you ? I knew by those questions you asked me the other night . she raised herself to a sitting position . yes , I suspected you , but Jimmy Mattson also suspects you . he contacted the firm of Brevet &amp; Ren&amp;eacute; in Marseilles . you have n&apos;t been trying to buy the lease of any luxury hotel . we also know there &apos;s no Hotel Imperial in Marseilles where you could have stayed that night . if you kill me , as far as Jimmy is concerned it will be a definite proof of your guilt . he asked almost wildly , but how can I let you live , knowing that you know the truth ? you might propose a bargain - your life for your silence . but how could I ever trust you ? what are you going to do about Sarah ? she asked . and despite her own danger that was the thought uppermost in her mind . an accident , he said . probably while she is swimming with the dog . Carol shuddered , remembering the dream Sarah had had . all the same her voice was very calm as she asked , what are you going to do with me ? you &apos;re going over the edge , he said . this is the highest point on the Grande Corniche . it &apos;s doubtful if they &apos;ll find your body for many days - even weeks . and in the meanwhile I &apos;ll be clear of the country . your friend Jimmy Mattson may have his suspicions , but he will n&apos;t have any proof . Ray will n&apos;t have any proof either . besides , Ray does n&apos;t suspect me of having had any connection with the recent jewel robberies or with Greta &apos;s death . he does n&apos;t know that I have been bribing the household staffs of his friends for information about their employers &apos; habits and where they kept their jewellery , or that I was responsible for those friends who called upon the Baroness Beaufort the night her jewellery was stolen ; their presence gave me the chance to do what I wanted to do . why did you kill the Countess Doriana ? Carol asked . she came home early from the party and found me at the job . I had to strangle her to silence her . I do n&apos;t feel any sense of guilt . she had always been a no-good woman . I &apos;m sorry about you , Carol ; you &apos;re not a bad sort . it &apos;s a pity you took it upon yourself to interfere with my affairs . why would n&apos;t I ? she threw back at him . you left Ray &apos;s cigarette lighter beside his dead wife &apos;s body ; you did your best to implicate him . I happened to have the lighter in my pocket . I borrowed it ages ago when my own lighter ran out of fuel . I had to protect myself , and Ray was the obvious suspect . I &apos;m going to give you a drink and then I &apos;ll take that clip from your handbag . there &apos;ll be something pretty potent in that drink ; you will n&apos;t feel any shock or pain . you &apos;ll be unconscious by the time you go over . he took a flask from his pocket and got a glass out of the glove compartment of the car . she set her lips firmly . I will n&apos;t drink it . he shrugged . please yourself . but you &apos;re a fool if you do n&apos;t . the sensation of falling from a great height can n&apos;t be over pleasant . I &apos;d rather risk it , she said . you &apos;ll have to shoot me before I &apos;ll jump . and when my body is found the bullet will be traced back to your gun . he gave a low laugh . it happens to be Ray &apos;s gun . I took it from his bedside table while he was sleeping . the police will undoubtedly think that you stumbled upon some fresh evidence which made it certain that Ray had murdered his ex-wife . the only thing he could do was to get rid of you . I &apos;ll unbind your arms and then you drink this down . that &apos;s the last thing you will remember . he unbound her arms and then he tried to force the glass between her lips . no , she shrieked and pushed the glass away from her . he hit her hard across the face , but in her present state of nervous tension she scarcely felt it . if you will n&apos;t drink it , I do n&apos;t care , he said presently . you &apos;re going over the edge anyhow . she screamed again as he dragged her from the back of the car . her legs collapsed under her . she fell sprawling at his feet . and then suddenly it happened . a shot rang out . he lurched and gave a cry and dropped beside her . it could not have been more than a few minutes later that she felt a man &apos;s arms about her ; arms which were familiar and very dear to her . she opened her eyes and in the white moonlight she saw Ray &apos;s face bending over her . darling , darling Carol , he cried . are you all right ? Ray , she whispered . she must have passed out for the next thing she knew he was shaking her . my darling ! my darling ! say something to me . I &apos;m all right , Ray , she murmured . how did you find where he had taken me ? Sarah had n&apos;t gone to sleep . she saw him grasp hold of you and gag you and take you out of the house . she rushed in and told me . I jumped out of bed and was dressed in a jiffy . while I dressed she told me about finding her mother &apos;s clip in Grant &apos;s car . I was n&apos;t so long after you . during a hold-up in the Nice traffic I was able to pick up his car . but when he started up the Grande Corniche I lost him temporarily . I was too intent on catching up with him to be aware that another car was following me . I had him in sight until he disappeared down the side road . I turned off the engine of the car and listened , and then the other car drew alongside me . it was a police car . they had been detailed to watch the villa and follow me if I tried to escape . thank heavens they did follow me and that you screamed . I had no gun and Grant was armed . I should n&apos;t have had a chance if they had n&apos;t seen what was happening and shot him down . 