n me."

Barraclough's muscles tightened and his mouth went hard and straight.
So the bluff had failed after all. He was spotted. That idiot from
the benches had given them away.

The man opposite did not appear to have lost his breath through the
race and was looking at Barraclough with an expression of good-natured
humour in a pair of twinkly blue eyes. He was of very powerful
physique, broad-shouldered and bull necked. Also he had the appearance
of being uncommonly fit. In any other circumstance Barraclough would
have taken him for a pleasant, likeable fellow, who might have helped
to pass the tedium of a long journey. But his actual feelings were far
removed from any such consideration. The smug affability of the man
coupled with his obvious strength aroused such indignation in
Barraclough that he was scarcely able to remain seated. The difference
in their weight and stature precluded all chances of a successful
frontal attack. It would be sheer waste of energy to seize this
intruder and try to chuck him on the line. But, on the other hand,
something drastic would have to be done. At such a stage of the game
it was intolerable to contemplate defeat. He thought of his words to
Mr. Torrington the evening before and of the assurance he had given to
Isabel. Then there was the immense prize that success would award him.
Was everything to be lost because of one piece of infernal bad luck.
If he could reach Southampton unobserved he was confident that the
arrangements he had prepared would baffle observation. Besides the
presumption was that the watchers had been called off and this infernal
smiling idiot on the seat opposite had failed to receive new
instructions and was acting upon the old.

In Barraclough's right hip pocket was an automatic pistol but between
its butt and his hand was a thick buttoned upholster. Any attempt to
reach the weapon would surely result in an immediate counter offensive,
with himself at a disadvantage. No, he must think of something subtler
than that.

On the seat beside him lay a packet of Gold Flake cigarettes, bought
from a trolley on the platform. It gave him an idea. He put one in
his mouth and began to slap his pockets as though searching for
matches. He might have saved himself the pains for the man opposite
produced a lighter and offered it with a friendly word.

"Always keep one handy."

Barraclough, silently swearing, thanked him and lit up.

Clearly his co