"No, I've done morewicked things in my life than you can even imagine." His expressionhardened. "But I've never hurt the innocent without paying the piper.That's against the rules. We all have to pay for that sin, Jane."
"And I'm supposed to payyou for my transgressions?" she asked scornfully.
"You're damn right youare. When I was a boy I learned I couldn't count on anyone dealing out justiceon my behalf. If I wanted justice, I had to be the one to reach out and grabit." His voice turned fierce. "It's not a fair world. I can't counton fate or God to punish you. They might turn their backs and walk away. It hasto beme."
She watched him mount Nuggetand ride away.
She was trembling. She drew adeep breath and tried to compose herself. She mustn't let him do this to her.She fell to her knees and again began to measure the tracks. She was rid of himand now she must forget him. She must not let him linger in her thoughts as heintended.
She blindly reached out andgrasped the rail in front of her. Strong steel, warmed by the sunlight.
Soothing comfort flowed intoher. She was not weak. She had the same strength within her as these rails. Ifshe had the will, spirit, and mind to build a railroad, one man could not bendor break her.
The Prince of Darkness!
Jane woke with her heartpounding, her breath coming in gasps.
It was only a dream, she toldherself desperately.
The same dream that had comeevery night since that last afternoon Ruel had visited her. The same dream andthe same shameful lingering physical evidence when she awoke. Her nipples werehard and acutely sensitive as they touched the sheet, and there was an achingemptiness between her thighs.
No, it was not quite the same.
She was bathed in sweat.
Strange, it had been cool inthe tent when she went to sleep, but she was burning up now.
She got up from her cot, wentto the washstand, and splashed cold water on her face. She was still hot, herskin dry and burning to the touch. She had gone through this before, and thesymptoms were clear to her.
The fever was back.
The knowledge came almost as arelief. She was ill. She had an excuse for those erotic dreams that had beenplaguing her.
It wasn't Ruel, it was thefever.
Chapter14
“ A railroad?" Abdar'snails dug into the satin- padded arms of his chair. "How far along?"
"Medford's branch is nearcompletion, but the line from the mountain was started only seven weeks ago andis in the initial stages. The girl has laid the track from the mining camp downthe mountain and into the jungle, but it will—"
"How long?" Abdarsnapped.
"My man in Medford's campsays it will be at least four months before the tracks are joined."
"Four months! And in themeantime the Scot is storing gold ore and will be ready to ship as soon as theline is completed.Mygold." He stood up and moved toward the wallwhere his latest mask shimmered in the candlelight, powerful, intense, atestimony to his greatness. "I need that gold."
"There is othernews." Pachtal paused. "News that will please you. Kartauk is onCinnidar."
"What?" Abdarwhirled to face him. "You are sure? He is not dead?"
"I saw him myself. He isnot even in hiding. He lives in the palace and moves freely about theisland."
"Because he feels himselfsafe. He thinks I cannot take him on that cursed island." Abdar scowled."And he is right. I can do nothing until I am maharajah."
"And when will that be?Has your father's condition worsened since I left on my journey?"
He shook his head. "Hemay linger on until summer."
