Carol waited until after the child had gone , then she sprang out of bed and started quickly to dress .sx She would waken Jacques and get him to drive her into Nice to Jimmy's hotel and together they would go to the police with the diamond and emerald clip .sx She didn't want to bring Ray into this .sx He had sentimental loyalties towards Grant .sx He might still give him the chance to escape , and if Grant did escape all hope of proving Ray's innocence would be gone .sx But she knew she had to act- and to act quickly .sx She had already aroused Grant's suspicions by her questions .sx She went quietly down the staircase .sx There was only a short distance through the foyer before she reached the front door .sx But when she tried to close it after her a foot was forced in the open doorway .sx Her shoulder was seized , and before she could scream a pad was thrust into her mouth .sx She felt something shoved into her ribs , and turning slightly sideways she saw it was the nozzle of a revolver .sx " Keep going , " Grant said in a low harsh voice .sx " One false movement and you're as good as dead .sx Don't kid yourself I'll be timid about using this revolver ; it's my life or yours .sx " She couldn't scream because of the gag in her mouth and he held both her hands tightly behind her back .sx He made her walk round to the garage and once there he bound both her arms and her legs tightly .sx Then he bundled her into the back of his car , laying her on the floor .sx It had all happened so quickly she felt completely numb .sx And anyhow she had had no chance ; he had taken her completely unawares .sx She hadn't even time to think where he might be taking her or what he intended to do with her .sx He threw a rug over her and shortly afterwards she heard him start up the car .sx Jacques slept above the garage , but he was used to Grant taking his car out at night .sx Ray and Sarah were also accustomed to it .sx Even if they were still awake they would suspect nothing .sx 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 .sx It seemed reasonable to suppose he had murdered her because she had come upon him in the act of stealing her jewellery .sx For once his timing had been wrong .sx He wouldn't have made the attempt if he hadn'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 .sx Probably he had had inside knowledge from one of them .sx It had obviously been the same with the other robberies he had pulled off .sx But the knowledge that she and Jimmy had been right didn't help her now .sx She didn't think that Grant would show her any more mercy than he had shown Greta .sx She blinked up at the stars and occasionally she saw lights and heard traffic as though they were passing through villages or towns .sx But presently they began to climb up a twisting road .sx They climbed higher and higher .sx The thought flashed through her mind , this is the Grande Corniche , the scenic highway road which links Nice and Monte Carlo .sx Very few people drove the Grande Corniche at night ; they either drove round the Moyenne Corniche or the road that skirted the Mediterranean .sx Her heart sank .sx What hope would she have of rescue in this desolate region ?sx Jimmy had warned her that questioning Grant might be dangerous .sx But what had finally prompted him to abduct her in this way with the obvious purpose of killing her ?sx Did he know that she had Greta's clip ?sx He might easily have been listening outside the door .sx But if he had been , Sarah was equally in danger ; it was she who had found the clip in his car .sx She felt icy cold and completely desperate .sx He would have no hesitation about getting rid of the child as well as her in case she babbled something about the clip .sx Or would he be afraid to kill Sarah ?sx He had done his best to put the blame for Greta's death on Ray ; but surely the police would never suspect that Ray had murdered his own daughter ?sx The thought gave her hope , though her own predicament was still as desperate .sx Grant was driving the car carefully .sx Obviously he didn't wish to be stopped for speeding .sx But finally after a terrific climb he drew the car to a standstill .sx Carol had managed to twist the rug off her head .sx She saw that it was a beautiful Mediterranean night with a full moon , a blue-black sky , and the stars were shining brightly .sx What a night on which to die , she thought , trying to feel amused .sx 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 .sx How would he kill her ?sx A shot would be the most merciful end and she knew he had a revolver with him .sx He came round and opened the back door of the car .sx " Had a nice ride ?sx " he asked in a hoarse , cynical voice .sx He removed the gag and untied her legs .sx The sudden sensation of freedom from her cramped position was almost exhilarating .sx " Few people pass here at night , " he said , " and I still have my gun .sx So you won't dare scream .sx I heard you and Sarah talking so I crept to your door and listened .sx I've been worried about that damned clip ever since I lost it .sx You're not a fool .sx I know you've put two and two together ever since the child told you about the clip .sx But you suspected me before that , didn't you ?sx I knew by those questions you asked me the other night .sx " She raised herself to a sitting position .sx " Yes , I suspected you , but Jimmy Mattson also suspects you .sx He contacted the firm of Brevet & Rene@2 in Marseilles .sx You haven't been trying to buy the lease of any luxury hotel .sx We also know there's no Hotel Imperial in Marseilles where you could have stayed that night .sx If you kill me , as far as Jimmy is concerned it will be a definite proof of your guilt .sx " He asked almost wildly , " But how can I let you live , knowing that you know the truth ?sx You might propose a bargain- your life for your silence .sx But how could I ever trust you ?sx " " What are you going to do about Sarah ?sx " she asked .sx And despite her own danger that was the thought uppermost in her mind .sx " An accident , " he said .sx " Probably while she is swimming with the dog .sx " Carol shuddered , remembering the dream Sarah had had .sx All the same her voice was very calm as she asked , " What are you going to do with me ?sx " " You're going over the edge , " he said .sx " This is the highest point on the Grande Corniche .sx It's doubtful if they'll find your body for many days- even weeks .sx And in the meanwhile I'll be clear of the country .sx Your friend Jimmy Mattson may have his suspicions , but he won't have any proof .sx Ray won't have any proof either .sx Besides , Ray doesn't suspect me of having had any connection with the recent jewel robberies or with Greta's death .sx He doesn't know that I have been bribing the household staffs of his friends for information about their employers' 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 .sx " " Why did you kill the Countess Doriana ?sx " Carol asked .sx " She came home early from the party and found me at the job .sx I had to strangle her to silence her .sx I don't feel any sense of guilt .sx She had always been a no-good woman .sx I'm sorry about you , Carol ; you're not a bad sort .sx It's a pity you took it upon yourself to interfere with my affairs .sx " " Why wouldn't I ?sx " she threw back at him .sx " You left Ray's cigarette lighter beside his dead wife's body ; you did your best to implicate him .sx " " I happened to have the lighter in my pocket .sx I borrowed it ages ago when my own lighter ran out of fuel .sx I had to protect myself , and Ray was the obvious suspect .sx I'm going to give you a drink and then I'll take that clip from your handbag .sx There'll be something pretty potent in that drink ; you won't feel any shock or pain .sx You'll be unconscious by the time you go over .sx " He took a flask from his pocket and got a glass out of the glove compartment of the car .sx She set her lips firmly .sx " I won't drink it .sx " He shrugged .sx " Please yourself .sx But you're a fool if you don't .sx The sensation of falling from a great height can't be over pleasant .sx " " I'd rather risk it , " she said .sx " You'll have to shoot me before I'll jump .sx And when my body is found the bullet will be traced back to your gun .sx " He gave a low laugh .sx " It happens to be Ray's gun .sx I took it from his bedside table while he was sleeping .sx The police will undoubtedly think that you stumbled upon some fresh evidence which made it certain that Ray had murdered his ex-wife .sx The only thing he could do was to get rid of you .sx I'll unbind your arms and then you drink this down .sx That's the last thing you will remember .sx " He unbound her arms and then he tried to force the glass between her lips .sx " No , " she shrieked and pushed the glass away from her .sx He hit her hard across the face , but in her present state of nervous tension she scarcely felt it .sx " If you won't drink it , I don't care , " he said presently .sx " You're going over the edge anyhow .sx " She screamed again as he dragged her from the back of the car .sx Her legs collapsed under her .sx She fell sprawling at his feet .sx And then suddenly it happened .sx A shot rang out .sx He lurched and gave a cry and dropped beside her .sx It could not have been more than a few minutes later that she felt a man's arms about her ; arms which were familiar and very dear to her .sx She opened her eyes and in the white moonlight she saw Ray's face bending over her .sx " Darling , darling Carol , " he cried .sx " Are you all right ?sx " " Ray , " she whispered .sx She must have passed out for the next thing she knew he was shaking her .sx " My darling !sx My darling !sx Say something to me .sx " " I'm all right , Ray , " she murmured .sx " How did you find where he had taken me ?sx " " Sarah hadn't gone to sleep .sx She saw him grasp hold of you and gag you and take you out of the house .sx She rushed in and told me .sx I jumped out of bed and was dressed in a jiffy .sx While I dressed she told me about finding her mother's clip in Grant's car .sx I wasn't so long after you .sx During a hold-up in the Nice traffic I was able to pick up his car .sx But when he started up the Grande Corniche I lost him temporarily .sx I was too intent on catching up with him to be aware that another car was following me .sx I had him in sight until he disappeared down the side road .sx I turned off the engine of the car and listened , and then the other car drew alongside me .sx It was a police car .sx They had been detailed to watch the villa and follow me if I tried to escape .sx Thank heavens they did follow me and that you screamed .sx I had no gun and Grant was armed .sx I shouldn't have had a chance if they hadn't seen what was happening and shot him down .sx