"Get out of my way," he snarled.

Felix, suddenly knee-deep in water, panicked. He grabbed hold of Carlos and tried to get back to his original position.

Don heard Carlos grunt, then there was the sound of a heavy blow and a groan, followed by a splash.

Lorelli screamed again.

Don reached out into the darkness with groping fingers. He touched Carlos's sleeve. Snarling in panic, the great negro turned on him, his hands grabbing Don's coat front. He swept Don off his feet. Don hooked his leg around Carlos's thigh and caught hold of his neck with both hands. Carlos. .h.i.t him a sledgehammer blow in the body. Don's fingers slid down the great throat until they reached the artery, then he squeezed with all the strength in his hands. He got another punch that sickened him, then Carlos lost his balance, and together they fell off the steps and rolled into the water.

Under the cold, suffocating water, Don felt himself b.u.mping down the steps into the submerged corridor. Carlos's grip slackened. Don made a tremendous effort, and threw the negro off, then he fought his way to the surface, reached one of the steps that was just clear of the water, and as he got one knee on it, he felt Carlos's fingers close around his ankle.

He kicked back, but his foot missed Carlos and he was jerked into the water again. He had just time to draw in a deep breath before he sank. He groped around in the water for Carlos, but couldn't find him, then he broke surface.

The light on the landing suddenly glimmered, making a tiny orange glow.

In the dim light he saw Carlos was standing on the lower step, his great lips drawn back, his white teeth gleaming.

Don swam towards him and as he reached for the step, Carlos kicked out at him, his boot narrowly missing Don's face as Don threw himself sideways. He looked beyond Carlos to where Lorelli stood at the head of the steps, watching. He knew in a few minutes the rising water would bring him within reach of the huge boot. Unless Lorelli did something, he had the choice of drowning or having his head kicked in.

Lorelli acted. Picking up the crowbar, she crept down the steps until she was within range, and then swinging the iron bar above her head, she aimed a vicious blow at Carlos.

The negro half-turned, threw up his arm, but was a fraction late. The bar caught him on the top of his head and he fell slackly forward, sliding into the water.

Don made a grab at him, caught his coat, but his weight was too much for Don's failing strength. As he began to sink himself, he let go of Carlos and kicking out feebly, swam to where Lorelli, up to her waist in water, was holding out her hand to him. She pulled him, gasping, on to a submerged step. He heaved himself further out of the water. Then as he stood upright, he heard a faint shout that came through the steel door at the head of the stairs.

Catching Lorelli by her hand, Don staggered up the steps, as the shout came again.

Thirteen: The Last Laugh.

Water was above his knees as Don, his arm around Lorelli, reached the top step. They leaned against the steel door.

"Is that you, Harry?" Don shouted.

"It's me all right, sir," Harry shouted back. "I'm trying to get the door open. Can I use dynamite?"

"No!" Don shouted. "We're right by the door and we can't get away from it. The water's up to us and rising fast."

"Okay, I'll fix it somehow," Harry said. "Can you hang on for five minutes?"

"It'll have to be faster than that," Don said as a sudden surge of water nearly had him off his feet.

"I'll fix it," Harry said.

Lorelli clung to Don.

"They won't do it," she said. "They can't do it."

"I've never known Harry to be beaten yet," Don said, trying to sound more cheerful than he felt. He couldn't see how Harry could get them out in time. "Hold on to me and take it easy." The water had risen to Lorelli's shoulders. In the dim light, her face was drawn and white.

They waited as the minutes dragged by, the water rising inch by inch.

"You still there, sir?" Harry's voice demanded suddenly.

"Yes. What's happening?"

"I've sent three of Giuseppe's men down to the lake. They're going to blast the pipe that's taking the water in to you. They'll be as quick as they can."

"Fine," Don said. "Well done, Harry."

"I'll be back," Harry said. "It won't be long now."

Don held Lorelli above the water which was up to his shoulders.

"Keep your arms and legs moving," he said to her. "We've still got about three feet of head room. They'll fix it before it reaches the top."

By now he was swimming himself, holding on to her with one hand.

The water continued to rise, although its speed had slackened slightly. Don reached up and touched the ceiling. In another three or four minutes, the water would be over their heads.

"Turn on your back, and get your head as far into the water as you can." He supported her as she floated. "Scared?"

"Not as much as I was. Are you?"

"I guess so, but it doesn't help, does it?"

"Felix is dead, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's dead. Don't think about any of them."

"And I'm not even sorry. I feel as if he never existed."

The dim orange light flared up suddenly, lighting up the uneven surface of the rock six inches from their upturned faces, then it went out, leaving them in darkness.

"Well, Alsconi has the last laugh," Lorelli said. Her voice was steady. "What a fool I was to think I could break away from him. Would it be better just to let go and sink?"

"That's a rotten idea," Don said. "We're going to get out of this. It's like the movies. They're always rescued in the nick of time."

"They're leaving it a little late. I'm horribly cold." Don had an idea that they hadn't more than a few seconds left. He reached up for the ceiling expecting to find it within a few inches of him, but his groping fingers encountered s.p.a.ce.

With a sudden surge of hope, he stretched higher and just managed to touch the ceiling.

"I think they've done it," he said. "The water's dropped at least a foot."

"Are you just saying that?"

"Reach up and see for yourself."

"Yes. I can't feel anything."

Don dropped his legs and his feet found a step.

"They have done it!" he exclaimed. "We can stand! I told you, didn't I? The water's going down!"

Lorelli sank down beside him. She leaned against him and began to cry.

Harry's voice bawled, "Are you still all right? We've diverted the water; now we're going to tackle the door."

"We're okay, Harry," Don shouted back. "How are you going to get the door open?"

"I've found the switchboard. I'll turn the juice on."

"Wait a few minutes," Don said. "Let's get clear of the water first."

"Okay, sir; just give the word when you're ready."

By now the water had sunk to Don's knees and he could feel it rapidly receding.

"We'll be out in five minutes," he said to Lorelli.

"What are you going to do with me?" she asked, drawing away from him. "Are you going to hand me over to the police?"

"I'm not going to do anything with you," he said. "It's what you are going to do with yourself, that'll be your problem. As far as I'm concerned, you died down here with the rest of them, and I like to think that's exactly what you did do. You'll have a few hours' start, but you must know sooner or later the police., will catch up with you."

She didn't say anything for a long moment, then, "Yes; perhaps Felix is better off after all."

By now they were standing on the top step free of water.

"I'm going to tell him to open the door now," Don said.

"Alsconi owns the Bazzoni villa in Palermo," Lorelli said. "As he tried to drown me like a rat, I may as well continue to act like one. He has a fast yacht in the harbour. It's called the Nettuno."

"My men may have got him."

"He's not so easily caught. I hope you won't let him get away. Before they open the door I want to thank you for what you've done for me. I should be dead now if it hadn't been for you. Felix didn't help me."

"We're quits. If it hadn't been for you, Carlos would have finished me." Raising his voice, he shouted, "Okay, Harry, see what you can do now."

Two minutes later, the steel door swung open.

An hour later, and back at the Trioni villa, Don was speaking to Rossi, captain of police at Rome headquarters, over the telephone.

Out on the veranda Cherry was administering to the needs of Giuseppe and his men, while Harry leaned against the veranda rail and listened to what Don was saying.

Upstairs, Marian was looking after Lorelli, providing her with a change of clothing.

Don was saying, "No doubt at all. I have a witness for you that no jury will shake. Alsconi is making for Bazzoni villa in Palermo. You'll have to move quickly if you're going to catch him. He has a couple of hours' start. He has a fast yacht in the harbour: it's called Nettuno."

Rossi said, "Give me your number. I'll call you back."

Don gave him the number and hung up. He got to his feet as Marian and Lorelli came into the lounge. Lorelli was wearing one of Marian's black frocks. Her red-gold hair was packed up out of sight under a close-fitting hat. She looked pale and uneasy.

Marian left them together and went out on to the veranda.

Don said, "Well, what are your plans?"

Lorelli shrugged.

"What can my plans be? I have no money." She took a cigarette from the box on the table and lit it. "I won't get far."

"I'll let you have some money," Don said. "The best thing I can do for you is to take you to Florence tonight. The police in Siena will be looking for you. You'll stand a better chance in Florence. Anyway, I won't be able to get the money for you until the bank opens. I can cash a cheque in Florence."

She stared at him.

"You'll do this for me?"

"I said I'd give you a chance. It's not much of a chance, but it's up to you how you use it. I'll give you a million lire, and I'll take you to Florence. The rest is up to you."

"If the police caught me with you, you'd get into trouble."

"That's my funeral'," Don said shortly. "Are you ready to leave now?"

"Yes, I'm ready."

"Wait here for a moment." He went out on to the veranda. "I want the car," he said to Harry. "Okay for gas?"

"She's full up, sir," Harry said and went off down the steps to the garage.

Don drew Marian aside.

"I'm taking her to Florence right away," he said. "If Rossi calls back, tell him I've gone to bed and I'm not to be disturbed. I'll be back around midday."

"You're going to help her get away?" Marian asked. "Is it wise, Don? The police want her."

"I know. It's one of those things. If it hadn't been for her, that negro would have fixed me. I owe her something. I can't just wash my hands of her."

"You'll take Hairy?"

"No. There's no point in getting him in a jam if we're stopped."

Harry drove the Bentley to the bottom of the veranda steps. He got out and looked inquiringly up at Don.

"Ready when you are, sir."