Vera was clear of the cave by this time, and her voice ceased. A few yards farther on and Marion came up to her. She was looking pale and ghastly; there were rings under her eyes; her nerves had had a terrible shock. "I couldn't imagine where you had got to," she said. "I looked round, and you had disappeared. I feared you had been spirited away." "By the cruel foe, Marion? One by one we go. It may be your turn next." "Would to Heaven that it was!" Marion whispered vehemently. "A little time ago I fancied that I was strong enough to bear up against anything. Now I know what a feeble creature I am. Before this happened I would a thousand times have been the victim myself. And I--I----" She paused and beat the air impotently. Vera wondered. Could this really be the strong, self-reliant Marion who had uplifted them in so many troubles, this the girl who always had a smile on her face and words of comfort on her lips? This was a weak, frightened creature, with eyes that were haunted. "Be brave," said Vera, "and be yourself. What should we do without you? Why, you are so full of remorse you might have been responsible for Geoffrey's death yourself." Marion looked up swiftly and then her eyes fell. "It is because I love him," she said. "And I love him, too. But I try to be brave." Marion was silent under the reproof. Vera was calm and collected. What a reaction there would be later, Marion thought. "You have not given up all hope?" she asked. "No, I cannot. It would be too cruel. I cannot imagine that anything really serious has happened to Geoffrey. I cannot feel anything for the present, save for you. And my heart is full for you, Marion." "Ay," Marion said drearily. "It need be." Vera turned and walked swiftly across the sands. She wanted to be alone now that no danger threatened. Then presently the moon rose and shone upon the people gathered on the fringe of the sea. To the impatient Geoffrey came Ralph Ravenspur with a cloak and slouched hat over his arm. CHAPTER XLIV STILL NEARER He entered as coolly and easily as if he had been doing this kind of thing all his life, as if he had the full use of his eyesight. "I can't see you, but, of course, you are there," he said. "Tchigorsky sent me because he cannot come himself. The jade he calls his mistress has need of him. Muffle yourself and follow me. Not too closely." Geoffrey was only too glad of the opportunity. He passed under the shadow of the rocks until he gained the path to the head of the cliffs and here Ralph paused. "We are safe now," he said. "You can remove your disguise and cross the terrace. There is not a living soul in the castle at present." "All the servants are on the beach, then?" "Every one of them, both male and female, which is a flattering testimony to your popularity, Geoffrey. I opine that they will be pleased to see you in the morning. By the way, have you concocted a plausible story to account for your escape?"