Page:Vance--The trey o hearts.djvu/255

Rh "Stop!" he cried. "Drop that man! Judith, I command you"

"Be silent!" the girl cut in sharply. "I command here—if it's necessary to tell you."

Then the old man broke out in exasperation that waxed into fury. As well command the sea to still its voice: her father raged like the madman that he was, for the time being divested of his habitual mask of frigid heartlessness. The desperate girl turned to the third man.

"Now, Jimmy," she said crisply, "into that car— be quick—and gag him."

"If you do," the father foamed, "I'll have your life"

The man named Jimmy hesitated between fear of the one and awe of the other; but his hesitation vanished when the girl pulled trigger and two bullets, bored into the earth near his feet. Then with alacrity he jumped into the car and, ignoring the threats of the old man, proceeded to execute Judith's order.

"Now out with you!" she instructed in a tolerant tone when that task was finished and Marrophat and Hicks had placed Alan gently on the floor of the car.

A flourish of her weapons gained instant indulgence of this wish.

She stepped up on the running-board and addressed the terrified chauffeur.