FOR HIS COUNTRY The minutes glided by as the two men sat together in the perfumed, shadowy darkness.

From their feet the glittering canopy of lights swept upwards to the mountain-sides, even to the stars, but a chain of slowly drifting black clouds hung down in front of the moon, and until their eyes became accustomed to their surroundings it seemed to both of them as though they were sitting in a very pit of darkness.
"It is possible," Hunterleys whispered, after some time, "that we may have to wait for another hour yet." Richard was suddenly tense.

He sat up, and his foot reached for the self-starter.
"I don't think you will," he muttered.

"Listen!" Almost immediately they were conscious of some commotion in the direction of the villa, followed by a shot and then a cry.
"Start the engine," Hunterleys directed hoarsely, standing up in his place.

"I'm afraid they've got him." There were two more shots but no further cry.