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30 The grotesqueness of it all broke upon him and he laughed hysterically, waving her aside.

"Oh, go to the devil!" he cackled insanely. … Darkness followed. A flash of lightning seemed to flame between them and he lapsed into unconsciousness. …

When he roused, it was with a shiver. Rain was falling in torrents. Across the lake clouds of steam enveloped the fires that fainted beneath the deluge. A hissing noise filled the world above the roaring of the spillway.

He was alone.

But in his hand he found—a rose.