self, but for Arm and the children also. There was no doubt about Pirrie's implacability; the only doubt was as to where, with provocation, it might lead him.

'Take your rights,' he said.

In a voice shocked and unfamiliar, Millicent said: No! Not here...'

She ran towards Pirrie, stumbling awkwardly over the railway lines. He waited until she was almost on him before he fired. Her body spun backwards with the force of the bullet, and lay across one of the lines. From the hills, the echoes of the shot cracked back.

John walked across the lines, passing close by the body. Pirrie had put down his rifle. John stood beside him and looked down the embankment. They had all awakened with the sound of the shot.

He called down: 'It's all right. Everybody go to sleep again. Nothing to worry about.'

Roger shouted up: 'That wasn't the shot-gun. Is Pirrie up there?'

'Yes,' John said. 'You can turn in. Everything's under control.'

Pirrie turned and looked at him. 'I think I will turn in, too.'

John said sharply: 'You can give me a hand with this first. We can't leave it here for the women to brood over while they're on watch.'

Pirrie nodded. 'The river?'

'Too shallow. It would probably stick. And I don't think it's a good idea to pollute water supplies anyway.

Down the embankment, on the other side of the river.

I should think that will do.'

They carried the body along the line to a point about two hundred yards west. It was light, but the going was difficult. John was relieved when the time came to throw it down the embankment. There were bushes at the foot; it landed among them. It was possible to see