He picked it up, then, feeling as if it was an omen of the future, he flung the knife gleaming evilly in the moonlight over the side of the tower.
He knew that it would fall into a clump of thick shrubs where it would doubtless be a very long time before it was discovered.
He felt as he did so that he threw from himself and Alvina everything that was wicked and dangerous and that now he could protect and keep her, and all those who depended on him, safe for as long as he should live.
Then, as he turned towards the trap door, he took one quick glance over the side of the tower.
Vaguely in the shadow of the tower he could see, spread-eagled on the ground far below, the prostrate form of Jason Harling.
The Duke knew that there was no chance that, after falling from such a great height, h
