k he
was. Gloria's shriek rose like a madwoman's; Brodie's thick laughter was
its sinister echo. Another man called out something; the slow, heavy
feet of Swen Brodie were following, following. Boots scuffling, Brodie
pursuing with a wide, patient grin; he was in no hurry, he was so sure
of her!

His hands were almost on her. Gloria whipped aside and ran again. He
kept between her and the front of the cave; with all of his grinning
patience he was as watchful as a cat. She was driven back and back,
deeper and deeper into the narrowing tunnel. He came on. He would be
upon her in another half-dozen slow, ponderous strides. She could not
pass him; she could not dart forward and out; his arms were widely
extended on either side. He was expecting that. She could only save
herself from him second by second--and the seconds were running out
swiftly.

She prayed to God in wild passionate supplication. She prayed for sudden
death, death before those horrid, crooked fingers touched her. But while
she prayed to God it was of Mark King that she thought. And Mark King,
because of her usage of him, was miles and miles away, so far that her
despairing shrieks died without penetrating one-millionth part of the
empty wastes across which he had trudged. And still she drew back and
back and still she prayed for the miracle as she had done that day when
she had seen King coming toward her with a rope in his hand, prayed for
the earth to split asunder, for a flame to leap out and consume the
beast crowding closer upon her--to consume him or herself.

At last she was at the end. The end of the passage-way, the end of hope.
Brodie came on, his arms out. She could hear him breathing. She could
smell the whiskey he reeked with.... Beyond him she saw Jarrold
squatting by the fire; Brail leaning on his rifle, guarding the
entrance; Benny and the Italian lounging in the shadows. Figures of
hell, watching Brodie's actions with aloof interest ...Brodie made the
last step; she felt his hand on her arm, closing, drawing her forward;
the last agonized shriek burst from her....

"Oh, God--oh, dear God----"

She did not hear and Brodie did not hearken to a sudden new sound in the
cave grown suddenly still; the sound of a cascade of loose stones. They
came with a rush, they piled up near the middle of the open cave,
dropping from the shadowy rock roof above. But Benny, always on nerve
edge, shrilled:

"Look out! A cave-in"

She heard--God had he