He twisted to look at Barber. “What is it⁠—why did you bring me here?” There was the tremor of fear in his voice. “What are you going to do to me?”

Barber did not answer and Bemmon turned back toward Lake. He saw the rope in Anders’ hand and his face went white with comprehension.

“No!”

He threw himself back with a violence that almost tore him loose. “ No⁠—no! ”

Schroeder stepped forward to help hold him and Lake took the rope from Anders. He fashioned a noose in it while Bemmon struggled and made panting, animal sounds, his eyes fixed in horrified fascination on the rope.

When the noose was finished he threw the free end of the rope over the white limb above Bemmon. He released the noose and Barber caught it, to draw it snug around Bemmon’s neck.