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Page 367

| That is our true danger. We're safe from the fire. It's the smoke that can kill us!'' |

| Sobbing, Bianca grabbed the end of the blanket and held it tightly between herself and Stanford. "I'm frightened," she cried. "Everything outside the cave is burning! Everything!" |

| Stanford's eyes gleamed as he looked at Bianca. "Everything," he boasted. "Ashton's sheep station and everything he owns will be destroyed by the bush fire. That will finally break his will. He'll be forced to go to the chest." |

| He chuckled low. "But I won't be far behind him. As soon as he gets the chest out in the open for me to see, I'm going to place a bullet square between his shoulder blades. It's been a long time comin'. Finally I'll be rid of that bastard and have the riches all to myself." |

| Bianca listened intently, shivering at the thought of Stanford sneaking up on Ashton to murder him. Would Sasha be with Ashton? |

| "Tell me about the chest," Bianca dared to say. "Please tell me. Before long I will see it anyway." |

| Stanford laughed throatily. "You?" he said in a mocking tone. "Whore, if you think I plan to share those riches with the likes of you, you've got another think coming." |

| Bianca paled. "What are your plans for me?" she asked shallowly. "Or need I ask? You're going to murder me also, aren't you?" |

| "Good guess," Stanford said, his eyes narrowing with hate. "As I see it, you're no longer of any use to me. I'd have killed you and left you behind at the sheep station except that Ashton would've found you. Now, here in this cave, I doubt anything but |

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