"I don't know. I had gone to the Manor to see Lady Jenny. I thought she might be able to help you about this money and on my way home I was caught in the storm. In a vivid flash of lightning I saw Mr. Malet sheltering under a tree. I did not know then that it was Mr. Malet. After that I heard a cry, and then a shot. I ran forward, and stumbled over the body. Then I fainted, I think, but as soon as I was able I made my way home. It was only when I met you that I knew that Mr. Malet was the victim. Oh, Harold, dearest, I thought all the time it was you!" "What on earth put such an idea as that into your head?" he asked in amazement. "I don't know. Van Zwieten had told me he hated you, and I am afraid of Van Zwieten. He told me he went to see you at the inn, and I thought you might have quarrelled, and----" She threw out her hands. "Oh, dearest, it is only because you are so much to me, I suppose, that I thought it must be you. Oh, Harold, the thought nearly drove me mad." "But why did Van Zwieten want to see me?" "To insist that you should give me up." "Give you up? Confound his Dutch impertinence!" said Harold, angrily. "Dearest, I am afraid of that man," said Brenda, clinging to him. "Yes, terribly afraid. He will not leave me alone. He speaks as though he were perfectly certain I should have to marry him." "In that case, the most effectual method of putting an end to his presumption will be for you to marry me, dear, and that at once. Remember the twenty thousand pounds comes to me now!" "Harold!--the money is yours? But how?" "Malet's control of the fund died with him. Now that he is dead, nothing can prevent my getting it. We can be married straight away, dear." "We should have done that in any case, Harold. But now---- Oh, do let us go to London at once; for, until we are really married, I shall not be able to shake off my fear of this man. I know I sha'n't." "Nonsense, Brenda! He can be nothing to you, Why, you told me you detested the man." "So I do. I loathe him. But he is so determined and wicked, and so unscrupulous, that somehow I fear him, I----" "Is he here now?" "Yes; but I believe he goes this afternoon. He may meet us in London, Harold, and give us trouble there. Believe me, he is dangerous." "Give me the legal right to protect you, Brenda," said Harold, "and you need not fear Van Zwieten. He is a brute. I don't know how your father can tolerate him." "Simply because Mr. van Zwieten is going out to the Transvaal Government, and father has taken up the Boer cause." "If Kruger goes on as he is doing, there won't be any Transvaal Government at all in a few months. Don't you bother about Van Zwieten, dear. As soon as poor Malet is buried I shall go up to London and see about the money." "There will be an inquest, I suppose."