Miller shrugged and said evenly, ‘All right, if that’s the way you want it. I might point out that the first thing I shall do is contact the County Police.’

‘Good luck to you. There’s a village bobby at Culler’s Bend two miles up the road – Jack Berkley. He’s fifty years of age and it takes him all his time to get on his bicycle.’

‘They do have such things as patrol cars.’

‘Fair enough – it’ll be interesting to see just how efficient they are.’

‘He isn’t worth it, Craig,’ Miller said desperately. ‘He isn’t worth what it would do to you.’

‘He murdered my daughter,’ Craig said calmly. ‘He wasn’t even fit to tie her shoes, but I’m still giving him his chance, Nick. God help me, but I can’t play the game any other way.’

‘Which means only one thing in the final analysis. That you won’t be able to kill him,’ Miller said. ‘Can’t you see that? It’s the essential difference between you and Vernon.’

Craig didn’t reply and Harriet simply stood there, white and terrified. Miller sighed and took her arm. ‘All right. Let’s get going.’

When they reached the clearing, he helped Harriet into the passenger seat of the Cooper, climbed behind the wheel quickly and started the engine. He slid back the window and leaned out.

‘For the last time, Duncan – please.’

Craig smiled strangely and leaned down. ‘Thanks, Nick – for everything. Now get her out of it, there’s a good chap.’

Miller moved into gear and took the Cooper back along the track and beside him Harriet started to sob bitterly.

‘Oh, Nick, I’m so afraid,’ she said. ‘He isn’t like Vernon – not when it comes down to it. He’s going to die. I know he is.’

‘Not if I can help it.’ Miller said and braked violently as a Ford station wagon appeared from the mist.

The two cars were not more than twenty feet apart. For one horrified moment they stared at Max Vernon and Carver and then Miller slammed the stick into reverse and took the Cooper back along the track.

Vernon jumped out of the Ford, the Luger in his hand, and fired twice, his second shot punching a hole in the Cooper’s windscreen. It slewed wildly and went half over the edge of the track.

As Miller got the door open Duncan Craig appeared on the run. He dropped to one knee and fired once in the direction of the Ford.

‘You two all right?’

Harriet nodded shakily. ‘I think so.’

‘Get her down into the reeds,’ he told Miller briskly. ‘I’ll lead them off. As soon as they pass, get her out of here.’

He scrambled to his feet before Miller could argue and ran through the mist towards the Ford.