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 Would he never come! Would he never come!

“Ah,” he said, “I think I am already con- vineed. Curious that two apparently sane creatures should so misunderstand each other. If I could only be sure that you love me.”

“But I do love you,” she said.

“Then let that be your last lie,” he replied, and caught her in his arms.

Though her whole soul revolted she did not struggle. It was for Perseus’s sake, for the love of him who had grown so dear.

He pressed his lips to hers and held them there, and his kisses sounded like the snarlings of a wolf. Then almost before she knew what was happening his fingers crept up over her shoulders and round her throat. Too late she realised his meanings and tried to scream, to break from him. The great thumbs were press- ing her like a vice; two mad eyes were glaring triumphantly into hers.

With the point of his boot he turned the lifeless figure on its back. “It was a pity,” he muttered. “She had a most superb throat.”