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Lily jumped to her feet “Do you think I wanted to see Tho said to loosen the tongue and banish inhibitions” She waved her pistol aboutthe wharf while he atte, I told him, while I waited for his mood to mellow”

To hear of Thoes to flood Daphne’s mind

“And then you killed him because, in spite of your efforts to corrupt him, Thomas remained true to his cause”

Lily shrugged “We argued I pushed hirab his waistcoat when he tuht hold of his watch instead The effects of the tincture took hold, and the cold water froze his muscles I was forced to stand there and watch him drown”

Daphne’s throat grew so tight she could barely breathe Tears welled in her eyes “You could have called for help You could have saved him if you’d wanted to”

“Perhaps Had ht have been a possibility But we both know I’d have swung by the neck until dead” Lily gave an iesture for Daphne to stand “Now, get up We’re to ue, and we can’t be late”

“You’ve tied the rope around ht it’s impossible to stand” Daphne had tried numerous times but to no avail

Lily reached into her satchel, removed a knife in a leather sheath and slid it across the floor “Cut the ropes” She ai er”

For a spy, the woic

Daphne raised her shackled hands “And how am I supposed to do that?”

Lily scowled “Hold the knife between your palms”

“It’s in a sheath”

With another huff of impatience, Lily placed the pistol carefully on the floor, picked up the knife and pulled the blade free Daphne watched Lily intently as she cut the fibres with a sawingthe traitor to the floor once her legs were free I her hard with her clasped hands

But Lily had nothing to lose And Daphne knew the odds of escaping were slim She stood a much better chance once they were outside

Lily cut the bindings, recovered her pistol and dragged Daphne to her feet The hours spent lying on the floor, and with the circulation to her toes restricted by the tight rope, it took a moment to keep her balance