"Don Carlos undid the bolt of the rail against which Tony was leaning,"
explained Myra. "I saw him do it, but had no time to warn Tony. He
threatened this morning that he would murder Tony rather than let me
marry him. What can I do, Aunt?"
Lady Fermanagh shook her grey head, looking greatly concerned.
"I heard Don Carlos say something about being in a murderous mood, and
perhaps the accident to Tony was only an unfortunate coincidence," she
said.
"It was not an accident, Aunt," insisted Myra. "I tell you I saw him
slip back the bolt that holds the rail."
"But that may have been accidental, Myra," suggested her aunt. "Don
Carlos was talking at the time, and he may not have realised what he
was doing. You know how often one fiddles with something while one is
talking or thinking. Why, you are twiddling your necklace now, Myra,
without knowing you are doing it, and a minute ago you were twisting
your engagement ring round and round your finger. If Don Carlos had
been in earnest about murdering Tony is it likely he would have gone to
his rescue immediately the accident happened and risked his own life as
he did? Why, he could easily have let Tony drown?"
"Yes, that's true," agreed Myra, with a despairing gesture. "I don't
know what to make of it. I don't know what I should do. I feel now
that Tony's life is actually in danger. Should I warn him, tell him of
Don Carlos's threat?"
"No, I think not, Myra, unless he says something more which leads you
to believe he meant the threat seriously," said Lady Fermanagh, after a
thoughtful pause. "Oh, my dear, I do wish you had taken my warning not
to play with fire, and I do hope Don Carlos was not in earnest!"