On the rustic bridge across the ornamental water the Captain paused and looked about him. Nominally he was observing the swans; really he was looking to see if he was being watched. Ernie, alert in every inch of him, recognized the ruse; and drew the correct deduction that his enemy had been at this game before. He waited in the shadow of the trees. The Captain, satisfied, made now for the East Gate. Outside it a car was waiting. Ern recognized that chocolate body; and he recognized too that little figure in the shining black gaiters who stood beside it, and touched his hat with a furtive grin. The two men exchanged a brief word. Alf opened the door of the car, produced something, and held it out. Ernie saw that it was a lady's fur coat. Then Captain Royal climbed into the car, and Alf put the hood up. Ernie approached. Just inside the East Gate was a little wooden chalet, where teas were served. In this Ernie took cover. A crowded motor-bus from Beachbourne drove up. On the front seat was a girl in a terra-cotta-coloured felt hat. She got down and walked towards the car. Ernie watched, quivering. There was only one woman in the world who walked with that direct and compelling grace. It was clear to him that the girl was happy--lyrically so--and shy. The flow and rhythm of her every motion betrayed it abundantly. Alf touched his hat as she approached, and opened the door. The Captain did not descend. He was waiting inside--the spider in the background lurking to pounce upon the fly, a spider who shot forth sudden grey tentacles to enfold his prey. Ruth, clasped by the tentacles, was sucked out of sight. Ernie was overwhelmed with a sudden desire to leap out into the road and cry: "_Don't!_" He sweated and trembled. Then the door of the car slammed. Ruth was fast inside; and Alf, wonderfully brisk, had hopped into his seat, and was fingering the levers. Then the car stole forward swiftly, secretly, like a cat upon the stalk. It passed through the gate, would cross the Park, strike the Lewes road at Ratton on the way to--Lewes--Brighton--where?... Ern was standing up now, forgetful of concealment. As the car swept by, Alf saw him and made a mocking downward motion with his hand, as of one pressing to earth an enemy struggling to his feet. Ern was aware of it, of the look on Alf's face, of the two in the car. They did not see him. The Captain was bending over Ruth, buttoning the fur coat round her throat. Just then there rang through the silence a dreadful cry as of evil triumphant. A peacock in the wood had screamed. CHAPTER XLII THE CAPTAIN'S FLIGHT That night Ernie was on late lift-duty. He was just about to lock the lift when the missing Captain came striding across the empty hall with a peremptory finger raised. "You're late, sir," said Ernie, unlocking grudgingly. "Third Floor," the other answered, curt as a blow.