She takes after her mother. And now you want to
know who her father is?"
Again she paused to heighten the effect of her words; but before an
answer could be given, a girl's cry of horror rang out, and Jessica
suddenly flung herself in front of Adrien. Jasper Vermont, for the first
time catching sight of Harker, and realising at last that the game was
up, indeed, had made a sudden movement, once more wrenching himself free
from Shelton. Something glittered in his hand; then came a flash, a
report, and with that one scream of agony, the lifeless form of Jessica
fell into Adrien's arms.
In an instant, all was in confusion. Jasper Vermont, with a mocking
laugh, had sprung over the stone balustrade, and was running across the
turf in the direction of the stream which, lower down, spanned the
race-course, and, even at this time of the year, was almost a foaming
torrent. Attracted by the sound of the shot, the servants had
approached, and now set off in hot pursuit.
But Jasper Vermont was fleet of foot, and when he had gained the top of
the rising ground he turned for one second to laugh again. But the laugh
died on his lips, as a voice--audible even above all the hubbub and
confusion--the shrill voice of Ada Lester, screamed:
"You villain.
Pages:
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316