"But you must, Mullady, there is no one else I can trust."

"But it could kill you. You must know that."

"I know it very well. But it must be done. Can you understand that."

"Not wholly, madam, but if you put it like that I'm forced to comply."

"You are very good to me. I shall never forget your loyalty. Here is the reward I promised you."

She handed him a check for fifty thousand dollars.

"Madam it's much too much. I can not accept such a generous payment."

"It is yours, Mullady. I will not take it back under any circumstances."

"What else do you want me to do."

"Mr. Barker is going away on business the day after tomorrow. You will meet me here at that time at approximately eight o'clock."

"And what else?"

"You are to bring with you a horse, the one I will specify in a minute, and then you will assist me as I am mounted by it."

"That is insane, madam, I won't have any part of it."

"Yes you will. You have accepted the check and now you must do as I say."

"But it will kill you."

"It will kill me if I don't."

"I do not understand."

"Perhaps some day you will. But for now you must just carry out my orders."

"As you wish, madam. Which of the horses shall it be."

She hesitated a long moment before speaking. Her lips and cheeks quivered with the thought of her loving the animal.

Her eyes were half-closed when she spoke. They were drunk and glazed and he knew that she wasn't looking at him but inside herself.

The name of the horse rose from her lips and bolted to his cocked ears like a crack of thunder: "Lightning is the one. Lightning shall be my charge."

And then she passed out and her vibrant body went limp in his strong hands and he rested her on the old chest.