Evening star., 1936-04-05
THIS WEEK

listened to Phllbeach, Schwartz and
Plettenberg discuss their plans to
waylay the Bennetts. Schwartz and
Plettenberg were to conceal them
selves one on each side of the narrow
gulley through which the Bennetts'
wagon would have to pass. Philbeach
would halt the convoy himself and
demand that any diamonds they had
secured be handed over. At the least
sign of any resistance the other two
men were to blaze away with their
rifles from the rocks above without
further warning.
At nights Patricia woke shuddering
from terrifying vision. She saw
herself standing behind a rock in
the valleys mouth heard the
crack of rifles and saw Michael
pitch from his horse. Somehow
she had to prevent this nightmare
becoming reality So she also made
her plans, to be ready for the moment
when the wagon would at last appear.
On the third afternoon, Schwartz
came gallopng into camp where
Philbeach and Henry sat talking and
reported that a little column of dust,
which could indicate only one thing.
was visible in the distance. Imme-
diately he and Plettenberg set off for
their posts and Philbeach started to
walk towards the gulley.
Patricia, who had overheard all this,
ran round to the back of the wagon
where her horse was tied, mounted
and galloped madly down the stretch
headed towards the corner beyond
which the wagon should emerge at
any moment.
AS Philbeach caught the sound OF
her horses hoofs he swung on his heel
and yelled at her to halt. She took no
notice, but, urging her horse to yet
greater speed, raced on past him.
Philbeach raised his rife and bel
lowed:
Stop! damn you!-or I'll
shoot"
Henry. who was standing twenty
yards behind Philbeach, rushed for
ward to knock up the rifle, hut he was
too late. A crack like whip echoed
through the rocky pass, and Patricia
felt her horse lurch wildly and COL
lapse beneath her.
She pitched from her saddle and
sprawled along the ground. tearing
her hands and gashing her knees. She
staggered to her feet and, with her
hair streaming behind her, began to
run, terrified that at any second she
might receive bullet in her back, yet
still determined to reach the corner
and warn the oncoming party.
Stop! you don't I'll shoot you,"
yelled the infuriated Philbeach. He
gave Henry a savage push which
threw the old man to the ground and
then sank on one knee to take better
aim with his rifle.
Henry sprang up again and thrust
his shaking fist into the red, brutal
face. I'll kill you," he cried despe-
rately, unless you put down that
rifle"
Philbeach lowered his weapon.
You'll kill nue9" he sneered. and
grabbed Henry by the arm You 60
after her and bring her back. If you
don't I'll shoot you both"
Henry's face turned sickly gray.
He realized that he was defenseless
and that Philbeach meant every word
he said. He turned, and as Philbeach
raised the rifle again. Henry began to
run after Patricia.
Painting with fear and from the
exertion. she was racing on, stumbling
blindly over the uneven ground. She
caught her toe upon snag of stone
and pitched headlong. For a moment
she lay there half stunned and gasping.
then struggled to her feet again.
The corner was now only fifty
yards away but her fall had given
IL H.