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Bellamy，King\'sSpy，andDorward，journalist，knowntofameineveryEnglish-speakingcountry，stoodbeforethedoublewindowoftheirspacioussitting-room，lookingdownuponthethoroughfarebeneath。
Bothmenwerelaboringunderabittersenseoffailure。Bellamy\'sfacewasdarkwithforebodings；Dorwardwasirritatedandnervous。
Failurewasanewthingtohim-athingwhichthosebehindthegreatjournalswhichherepresentedunderstoodless，even，thanhe。
Bellamylovedhiscountry，andfearwasgnawingathisheart。
Below，thecrowdswhichhadbeenwaitingpatientlyformanyhoursbrokeintoatumultofwelcomingvoices。Downtheirthickly-packedlinesthevolumeofsoundaroseandgrew，afaintmurmuratfirst，swellingandgrowingtoathunderousroar。Myriadsofhatsweresuddenlytornfromtheheadsoftheexcitedmultitude，handkerchiefswavedfromeverywindow。Itwasawonderfulgreeting，this。
"TheCzaronhiswaytotherailwaystation，"Bellamyremarked。
Thebroadavenuewassuddenlythrongedwithamassofsoldiery-
guardsmenofthemostfamousofAustrianregiments，brilliantintheirwhiteuniforms，theirflashinghelmets。Thesmallbroughamwithitsgreatblackhorseswasalmosthiddenwithinaringofnakedsteel。Dorward，anAmericantothebackboneandabitterdemocrat，thrustouthisunder-lip。
"TheAnointedoftheLord！"hemuttered。
Farawayfromsomeotherquartercamethesameroarofvoices，muffledyetinsistent，chargedwiththatfaint，excitingtimbrewhichseemsalwaystoliveinthecryofthemultitude。
"TheEmperor，"declaredBellamy。"HegoestotheWeststation。"
Thecommotionhadpassed。Thecrowdsinthestreetbelowwereonthemove，meltingawaynowwithamuffledtramplingoffeetandamurmurofvoices。Thetwomenturnedfromtheirwindowbackintotheroom。Dorwardcommencedtorollacigarettewithyellow-stained，nervousfingers，whileBellamythrewhimselfintoaneasy-chairwithagestureofdepression。
"Soitisover，thislong-talked-ofmeeting，"hesaid，halftohimself，halftoDorward。"Itisover，andEuropeislefttowonder。"
"Theyweretogetherforscarcelymorethananhour，"Dorwardmurmured。
"Longenough，"Bellamyanswered。"ThatlittleroominthePalace，myfriend，mayyetbecomefamous。"
"IfyouandIcouldbuyitssecrets，"Dorwardremarked，finallyshapingacigaretteandlightingit，"weshouldbebigbidders，I
think。I\'dgivefiftythousanddollarsmyselftobeabletocableevenahundredwordsoftheirconversation。"
"Forthetruth，"Bellamysaid，"thewholetruth，therecouldbenopricesufficient。Wemadeoureffortindifferentdirections，bothofus。WithinfinitepainsIplanted-Imaytellyouthisnowthatthethingisover-sevenspiesinthePalace。Theyhavebeenofasmuchuseasrabbits。Idon\'tbelievethatasingleoneofthemgotanyfurtherthanthekitchens。"
Dorwardnoddedgloomily。
"Iguesstheyweren\'ttakinganychancesupthere，"heremarked。
"Therewasn\'tasecretaryintheroom。Carstairswasnearlythrownout，andhehadapermittoenterthePalace。Thegreatstaircasewasheldwithsoldiers，andDicksworethattherewereMaximsinthecorridors。"
Bellamysighed。
"Weshallheartheroarofbiggergunsbeforewearemanymonthsolder，Dorward，"hedeclared。
Thejournalistglancedathisfriendkeenly。"Youbelievethat？"
Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
"Doyousupposethatthismeetingisfornothing？"heasked。"WhenAustria，GermanyandRussiastandwhisperinginacorner，can\'tyoubelieveitisacrosstheNorthSeathattheypoint？Thingshavebeenshapingthatwayforyears，andthetimeisalmostripe。"
"YouEnglisharetoonervoustolive，nowadays，"Dorwarddeclaredimpatiently。"I\'djustliketoknowwhattheysaidaboutAmerica。"
Bellamysmiledwithfaintbutdelicateirony。
"Withoutadoubt，thePrincewilltellyou，"hesaid。"Hecanscarcelydomoretoshowhisregardforyourcountry。Heisgivingyouaspecialinterview-youaloneoutofabouttwohundredjournalists。Verylikelyhewillgiveyouanexactaccountofeverythingthattranspired。firstofall，hewillassureyouthatthismeetinghasbeenbroughtaboutintheinterestsofpeace。Hewilltellyouthatthewelfareofyourdearcountryisforemostinthethoughtsofhismaster。Hewillassureyou-"
"Say，you\'rejealous，myfriend，"Dorwardinterruptedcalmly。"I
wonderwhatyou\'dgivemeformytenminutesalonewiththeChancellor，eh？"
"Ifhetoldmethetruth，"Bellamyasserted，"I\'dgivemylifeforit。Forthesortofstuffyou\'regoingtohear，I\'dgivenothing。
Can\'tyourealizethatforyourself，Dorward？Youknowtheman-
falseasHellbutwiththetongueofaserpent。Hewillgraspyourhand；hewilldeclarehimselfgladtospeakthroughyoutothegreatAnglo-Saxonraces-toEnglandandtohisdearfriendstheAmericans。
Heisonlytoopleasedtohavetheopportunityofexpressinghimselfcandidlyandopenly。Peaceistobethewatchwordofthefuture。
ThewhitedoveshavehoveredoverthePalace。TherulersoftheearthhavemetthatthecrashofarmsmaybestilledandthatthisterribleunrestwhichbroodsoverEuropeshallfinallybebrokenup。
Theyhavepledgedthemselveshandinhandtoworktogetherforthisobject，-Russia，brokenandhumiliated，butwithanimmensearmystillavailable，whoseonlychanceofholdingherplaceamongthenationsisanotherandasuccessfulwar；Austria，onfirefortheseaboard-Austria，towhomwarwouldgivethedesireofherexistence；Germany，withBismarck\'slastbutsecretwordswritteninlettersoffireonthewallsofherpalaces，intheheartsofherrulers，inthebrainofhergreatEmperor。Colonies！Expansion！
Empire！Whosecolonies，Iwonder？Whoseempire？Willhetellyouthat，myfriendDorward？"
Thejournalistshruggedhisshouldersandglancedattheclock。
"Iguesshe\'lltellmewhathechoosesandIshallprintit，"heansweredindifferently。"It\'sallpartofthegame，ofcourse。I
amnotexactlychickenenoughtoexpectthetruth。Allthesame，mymessagewillcomefromthelipsoftheChancellorimmediatelyafterthiswonderfulmeeting。"
"Hemakesuseofyou，"Bellamydeclared，"tothrowdustintooureyesandyours。"
"Evenso，"Dorwardadmitted，"Idon\'tcaresolongasIgetthecopy。It\'sgood-bye，Isuppose？"
Bellamynodded。
"IshallgoontoBerlin，perhaps，to-morrow，"hesaid。"Icandonomoregoodhere。Andyou？"
"AfterI\'vesentmycableI\'mofftoBelgradeforaweek，atanyrate，"Dorwardanswered。"IhearthewomenareformingrifleclubsallthroughServia。"
Bellamysmiledthoughtfully。
"Iknowonewho\'llwantaplaceamongtheleaders，"hemurmured。
"MademoiselleIdiale，Isuppose？"
Bellamyassented。
"It\'saqueerpositionhers，ifyoulike，"hesaid。"AllViennaravesabouther。TheythrongtheOperaHouseeverynighttohearhersing，andtheypayherthebiggestsalarywhichhaseverbeenknownhere。ThreepartsofitshesendstoBelgradetotheChiefoftheCommitteeforNationalDefence。Thejewelsthataresentheranonymouslygotothesameplace，alltobuyarmstofightthesepeoplewhoworshipher。Itellyou，Dorward，"headded，risingtohisfeetandwalkingtothewindow，"thepatriotismofthesepeopleissomethingwecolderracesscarcelyunderstand。Perhapsitisbecausewehaveneverdweltundertheshadowofaconqueror。IfeverAustriaisgivenafreehand，itwillbenomerewaruponwhichsheenters，-itwillbeacarnage，anextermination！"
Dorwardlookedoncemoreattheclockandroseslowlytohisfeet。
"Well，"hesaid，"Imustn\'tkeepHisExcellencywaiting。Good-bye，andcheerup，Bellamy！Youroldcountryisn\'tgoingtoturnupherheelsyet。"
Outhewent-long，lank，uncouth，withyellow-stainedfingersandhatchet-shaped，grayface-astrangefigurebutyetapower。
Bellamyremained。Forawhileheseemeddoubtfulhowtopassthetime。Hestoodinfrontofthewindow，watchingthedispersalofthecrowdsandthemarchingbyofaregimentofsoldiers，whosemovementshefollowedwithcriticalinterest，forhe，too，hadbeenintheservice。Hehadstillamilitarybearing，-tall，andwithcomplexioninclinedtobedusky，asmallblackmoustache，darkeyes，asilentmouth，-amanofmanyreserves。Evenhisintimatesknewlittleofhim。Nevertheless，hiswasthereticencewhichbefittedwellhisprofession。
Afteratimehesatdownandwrotesomeletters。Hehadjustfinishedwhentherecameasharptapatthedoor。Beforehecouldopenhislipssomeonehadentered。Heheardthesoftswirlofdraperiesandturnedsharplyround，thensprangtohisfeetandheldoutbothhishands。Therewasexpressioninhisfacenow-asmuchasheeversufferedtoappearthere。
"Louise！"heexclaimed。"Whatgoodfortune！"
Sheheldhisfingersforamomentinamannerwhichbetokenedamorethancommonintimacy。Thenshethrewherselfintoaneasy-chairandraisedherthickveil。Bellamylookedatherforamomentinsorrowfulsilence。Therewerevioletlinesunderneathherbeautifuleyes，hercheeksweredestituteofanycolor。Therewasanabandonmentofgriefaboutherattitudewhichmovedhim。
Shesatasonebroken-spirited，inwhomthepowerofresistancewasdead。
"Itisover，then，"shesaidsoftly，"thismeeting。Thewordhasbeenspoken。"
Hecameandstoodbyherside。
"Asyet，"heremindedher，"wedonotknowwhatthatwordmaybe。"
Sheshookherheadmournfully。
"Whocandoubt？"sheexclaimed。"Formyself，Ifeelitintheair！
Icanseeitinthefacesofthepeoplewhothrongthecity！Icanhearitinthepealsofthoseawfulbells！Youknownothing？Youhaveheardnothing？"
Bellamyshookhishead。
"Ididallthatwashumanlypossible，"hesaid，droppinghisvoice。
"AnEnglishmaninViennato-dayhasverylittleopportunity。I
filledthePalacewithspies，buttheyhadn\'tadog\'schance。Therewasn\'tevenasecretarypresent。TheCzar，thetwoEmperorsandtheChancellor，-notanothersoulwasintheroom。"
"IfonlyVonBehrlinghadbeentaken！"sheexclaimed。"Hewasthereinreserve，Iknow，asstenographer。Ihavebuttoliftmyhandanditisenough。Iwouldhavehadthetruthfromhim，whateveritcostme。"
Bellamylookedatherthoughtfully。ItwasnotfornothingthatthePressofeveryEuropeannationhadcalledherthemostbeautifulwomanintheworld。Hefrownedslightlyatherlastwords，forhelovedher。
"VonBehrlingwasnotevenallowedtocrossthethreshold，"hesaidsharply。
Shemovedherheadandlookedupathim。Shewasleaningalittleforwardnow，herchinrestinguponherhands。Somethingaboutthelinesofherlong，supplebodysuggestedtohimthesavageanimalcrouchingforaspring。Shewasquiet，butherbosomwasheaving，andhecouldguessatthepassionwithin。Withpurposehespoketosetitloose。
"Yousingto-night？"heasked。
"BeforeGod，no！"sheanswered，theangerblazingoutofhereyes，shakinginhervoice。"Isingnomoreinthisaccursedcity！"
"Therewillbearevolution，"Bellamyremarked。"Iseethatthewholecityisplacardedwithnotices。ItistobeagalanightattheOpera。Theroyalpartyistobepresent。"
Herbodyseemedtoquiverlikeatreeshakenbythewind。
"WhatdoIcare-I-I-fortheirgalanight！IfIwerelikeSamson，ifIcouldpulldownthepillarsoftheirOperaHouseandburythemallinitsruins，Iwoulddoit！"
Hetookherhandandsmootheditinhis。
"DearLouise，itisuseless，this。Youdoeverythingthatcanbedoneforyourcountry。"
Hereyeswerestreamingandherfingerssoughthis。
"MyfriendDavid，"shesaid，"youdonotunderstand。NoneofyouEnglishyetcanunderstandwhatitistocrouchintheshadowofthisblackfear，tofeelatyrant\'shandcomecreepingout，toknowthatyourlife-bloodandthelife-bloodofallyourpeoplemustbeshed，andshedinvain。Torobanationoftheirliberty，ah！itisworse，this，thanmurder，-aworsecrimethanhiswhostainsthesoulofapoorinnocentgirl！Itisasinagainstnatureherself！"
Shewassobbingnow，andsheclutchedhishandspassionately。
"Forgiveme，"shemurmured，"Iamoverwrought。Ihaveborneupagainstthisthingsolong。Icandonomoregoodhere。IcometotellyouthatIgoawaytillthetimecomes。IgotoyourLondon。Theywantmetosingforthemthere。Ishalldoit。"
"Youwillbreakyourengagement？"
Shelaughedathimscornfully。
"IamIdiale，"shedeclared。"IkeepnoengagementifIdonotchoose。IwillsingnomoretothispeoplewhomIhate。MyfriendDavid，Ihavesufferedenough。TheirapplauseIloathe-theircovetouseyesastheywatchmemoveaboutthestage-oh，Icouldstrikethemalldead！Theycometome，theseyoungAustriannoblemen，asthoughIwerealreadyoneofaconqueredrace。IkeeptheirdiamondsbutIdestroytheirmessages。Theirjewelsgotomychorusgirlsortoarmmypeople。Butnooneofthemhashadakindwordfrommesavewheretherehasbeensomethingtobegained。
EvenVonBehrlingIhavefooledwithpromises。NoAustrianshallevertouchmylips-Ihaveswornit！"
Bellamynodded。
"Yes，"heassented，"theycallyoucoldhereinthecapital！EveninthePalace-"
Sheheldoutherhand。
"Itisfinished！"shedeclared。"Isingnomore。IhavesentwordtotheOperaHouse。Icameheretobeinhidingforawhile。Theywillsearchformeeverywhere。To-nightorto-morrowIleaveforEngland。"
Bellamystoodthoughtfullysilent。
"Iamnotsurethatyouarewise，"hesaid。"Youtakeittoomuchforgrantedthattheendhascome。"
"Anddoyounotyourselfbelieveit？"shedemanded。Hehesitated。
"Asyetthereisnoproof，"heremindedher。
"Proof！"
Shesatuprightinherchair。Herhandsthrusthimfromher，herbosomheaved，aspotofcolorflaredinhercheeks。
"Proof！"shecried。"Whatdoyousuppose，then，thatthesewolveshaveplottedfor？WhatelsedoyousupposecouldbeAustria\'sshareofthefeast？Couldn\'tyouhearourfateinthethunderoftheirvoiceswhenthatmiserablemonarchrodebacktohiscaptivity？Wearedoomed-betrayed！YouremembertheMassacreofSt。Bartholomew，ablood-stainedpageofhistoryforalltime。Theworldwouldtellyouthatwehaveoutlivedtheageofsuchbarbarousdoings。Itisnottrue。MyfriendDavid，itisnottrue。Itisamoreterriblething，thiswhichiscoming。Bodyandsoulwearetoperish。"
Hecameovertohersideoncemoreandlaidhishandsoothinglyonhers。Itwasheart-rendingtowitnesstheagonyofthewomanheloved。
"DearLouise，"hesaid，"afterall，thisisprofitless。Theremayyetbecompromises。"
Shesufferedherhandtoremaininhis，butthebitternessdidnotpassoutofherfaceortone。
"Compromises！"sherepeated。"Doyoubelieve，then，thatwearelikethoseancientraceswhofeltthepresenceofaconquerorbecausetheirhostswerescatteredinbattle，andwhosufferedthemselvespassivelytobeledintocaptivity？Mycountrycanbeconqueredinoneway，andonewayonly，-notuntilhersons，ay，andherdaughterstoo，haveperished，canthesepeoplerule。Theywillcometoanemptyandastrickencountry-acountryredwithblood，desolate，withblackenedhousesandemptycities。Thehorrorofit！Think，myfriendDavid，thehorrorofit！"
Bellamythrewhisheadbackwithasuddengestureofimpatience。
"Youtaketoomuchforgranted，"hedeclared。"England，atanyrate，isnotyetaconqueredrace。AndthereisFrance-Italy，too，ifsheiswise，willneversufferthisthingfromherancientenemy。"
"Itisthemightoftheworldwhichthreatens，"shemurmured。
"Yourcountrymaydefendherself，butheresheispowerless。
Alreadyithasbeenproved。Lastyearyoudeclaredyourselfourfriend-youandevenRussia。Ofwhatavailwasit？WordcamefromBerlinandyouwerepowerless。"
Thentragedybrokeintotheroom，tragedyintheshapeofamandemented。ForfifteenyearsBellamyhadknownArthurDorward，butthismanwassurelyastranger！Hewashatless，dishevelled，wild。
Adullstreakofcolorhadmountedalmosttohisforehead，hiseyeswereonfire。
"Bellamy！"hecried。"Bellamy！"
Wordsfailedhimsuddenly。Heleanedagainstthetable，breathless，pantingheavily。
"ForGod\'ssake，man，"Bellamybegan，-
"Alone！"Dorwardinterrupted。"Imustseeyoualone！Ihavenews！"
MademoiselleIdialerose。ShetouchedBellamyontheshoulder。
"Youwillcometome，ortelephone，"shewhispered。"So？"
Bellamyopenedthedoorandshepassedout，withafarewellpressureofhisfingers。Thenhecloseditfirmlyandcameback。
CHAPTERII
ARTHURDORWARD\'S"SCOOP"
"What\'swrong，oldman？"Bellamyaskedquickly。
Dorwardfromasidetablehadseizedthebottleofwhiskeyandasiphon，andwasmixinghimselfadrinkwithtremblingfingers。Hetosseditoffbeforehespokeaword。Thenheturnedaroundandfacedhiscompanion。"Bellamy，"heordered，"lockthedoor。"
Bellamyobeyed。HehadnodoubtnowbutthatDorwardhadlosthisheadintheChancellor\'spresence-hadmadesomeabsurdattempttogaintheknowledgewhichtheybothcraved，andhadfailed。
"Bellamy，"Dorwardexclaimed，speakinghoarselyandstillalittleoutofbreath，"IguessI\'vehadthebiggestsliceofluckthatwaseverdealtouttoahumanbeing。IfonlyIcangetsafeoutofthiscity，ItellyouI\'vegotthegreatestscoopthatlivingmaneverhandled。"
"Youdon\'tmeanthat-"
Dorwardwipedhisforeheadandinterrupted。
"It\'sthemostamazingthingthateverhappened，"hedeclared，"butI\'vegotithereinmypocket，gotitinblackandwhite，intheChancellor\'sownhandwriting。"
"Gotwhat？"
"Why，whatyouandI，anhourago，wouldhavegivenamillionfor，"
Dorwardreplied。
Bellamy\'sexpressionwasoneofblankbutwonderingincredulity。
"Youcan\'tmeanthis，Dorward！"heexclaimed。"Youmayhavesomething-justwhattheChancellorwantsyoutoprint。You\'renotsupposingforaninstantthatyou\'vegotthewholetruth？"
Dorward\'ssmilewasthesmileofcertainty，hisfacethatofaconqueror。
"Hereinmypocket，"hedeclared，strikinghischest，"intheChancellor\'sownhandwriting。ItellyouI\'vegottheoriginalverbatimcopyofeverythingthatpassedandwasresolveduponthisafternoonbetweentheCzarofRussia，theEmperorofAustriaandtheEmperorofGermany。I\'vegotitwordforwordastheChancellortookitdown。I\'vegottheirdecision。I\'vegottheirseveralundertakings。"
Bellamyforamomentwasstrickendumb。Helookedtowardthedoorandbackintohisfriend\'sfaceaglowwithtriumph。Thenhispowerofspeechreturned。
"Doyoumeantosaythatyoustoleit？"
Dorwardstruckthetablewithhisfist。
"NotI！ItellyouthattheChancellorgaveittome，gaveittomewithhisownhands，willingly，-pressedituponme。No，don\'tscoff！"hewentonquickly。"Listen！Thisisagenuinething。
TheChancellor\'smad。HewaslyinginafitwhenIleftthePalace。
Itwillbeinalltheeveningpapers。Youwillheartheboysshoutingitinthestreetswithinafewminutes。Don\'tinterruptandI\'lltellyouthewholetruth。Youcanbelievemeornot，asyoulike。Itmakesnoodds。Iarrivedpunctuallyandwasshownupintotheanteroom。EvenfromthereIcouldhearloudvoicesintheinnerchamberandIknewthatsomethingwasup。Presentlyalittlefellowcameouttome-adark-beardedchapwithgold-rimmedglasses。
Hewasverypolite，introducedhimselfastheChancellor\'sphysician，regrettedexceedinglythattheChancellorwasunwellandcouldseenoone，-theexcitementandhardworkofthelastfewdayshadknockedhimout。Well，IstoodtherearguingaspleasantlyasI
couldaboutit，andthenallofasuddenthedooroftheinnerroomwasthrownopen。TheChancellorhimselfstoodonthethreshold。
Therewasnodoubtabouthisbeingill；hisfacewasaspaleasparchment，hiseyesweresimplywild，andhishairwasallruffledasthoughhehadbeenstandinguponhishead。HebegantotalktothephysicianinGerman。Ididn\'tunderstandhimuntilhebegantoswear，-thenitwaswonderful！Intheendhebrushedthemallawayand，takingmebythearm，ledmerightintotheinnerroom。
Foralongtimehewentonjabberingawayhalftohimself，andI
waswonderinghowonearthtobringtheconversationroundtothethingsIwantedtoknowabout。Then，allofasudden，heturnedtomeandseemedtorememberwhoIwasandwhatIwanted。\'Ah！\'hesaid，\'youareDorward，theAmericanjournalist。Irememberyounow。
Lockthedoor。\'Iobeyedhimprettyquick，forIhadnoticedtheyweremightyuneasyoutside，andIwasafraidthey\'dbedisturbinguseverymoment。\'Comeandsitdown，\'heordered。Ididsoatonce。\'You\'reasensiblefellow，\'hedeclared。\'To-dayeveryoneisworryingme。TheythinkthatIamnotwell。Itisfoolish。I
amquitewell。Whowouldnotbewellonsuchadayasthis？\'I
toldhimthatIhadneverseenhimlookingbetterinmylife，andhenoddedandseemedpleased。\'YouhavecometohearthetruthaboutthemeetingofmymasterwiththeCzarandtheEmperorofGermany？\'heasked。\'That\'sso，\'Itoldhim。\'America\'smorethanalittleinterestedinthesethings，andIwanttoknowwhattotellher。\'Thenheleanedacrossthetable。\'Myyoungfriend，\'
hesaid，\'Ilikeyou。Youarestraightforward。Youspeakplainlyandyoudonotworryme。Itisgood。Youshalltellyourcountrywhatitisthatwehaveplanned，whatthethingsarethatarecoming。Yoursisagreatandwisecountry。Whentheyknowthetruth，theywillrememberthatEuropeisalongwayoffandthatthethingswhichhappentherearereallynoconcernoftheirs。\'
\'Youareright，\'Iassuredhim，-\'deadright。Treatusopenly，that\'sallweask。\'\'ShallInotdothat，myyoungfriend？\'heanswered。\'Nowlook，Igiveyouthis。\'Hefumbledthroughallhispocketsandatlasthedrewoutalongenvelope，sealedatbothendswithblacksealingwaxonwhichwasprintedacoatofarmswithtwotigersfacingeachother。Helookedtowardthedoorcautiously，andtherewasjustthatgleaminhiseyeswhichmadmenalwayshave。
\'Hereitis，\'hewhispered，\'writtenwithmyownhand。Thiswilltellyouexactlywhatpassedthisafternoon。Itwilltellyouourplans。Itwilltellyouofthesharewhichmymasterandtheothertwoaretaking。Buttonitupsafely，\'hesaid，\'and，whateveryoudo，donotletthemknowoutsidethatyouhavegotit。Betweenyouandme，\'hewenton，leaningacrossthetable，\'somethingseemstohavehappenedtothemallto-day。There\'smyolddoctorthere。
Heisworryingallthetime，buthehimselfisnotwell。Icanseeitwheneverhecomesnearme。\'InoddedasthoughIunderstoodandtheChancellortappedhisforeheadandgrinned。ThenIgotupascasuallyasIcould，forIwasterriblyafraidthathewouldn\'tletmego。Weshookhands，andItellyouhisfingerswerelikepiecesofburningcoal。JustasIwasmoving，someoneknockedatthedoor。Thenhebegantostormagain，kickedhischairover，threwapaperweightatthewindow，andtalkedsuchnonsensethatIcouldn\'tfollowhim。Iunlockedthedoormyselfandfoundthedoctorthere。
Icontrivedtolookasfrightenedaspossible。\'HisHighnessisnotwellenoughtotalktome，\'Iwhispered。\'Youhadbetterlookafterhim。\'Iheardashoutbehindandaheavyfall。ThenIclosedthedoorandslippedawayasquietlyasIcould-andhereIam。"
Bellamydrewalongbreath。
"MyGod，butthisiswonderful！"hemuttered。"HowlongisitsinceyouleftthePalace？"
"Abouttenminutesoraquarterofanhour，"Dorwardanswered。
"They\'llfinditoutatonce，"declaredtheother。"They\'llmissthepaper。Perhapshe\'lltellthemhimselfthathehasgivenittoyou。Don\'tletusrunanyrisks，Dorward。Tearitopen。Letusknowthetruth，atanyrate。Ifyouhavetopartwiththedocument，wecanrememberitscontents。Outwithit，man，quick！。Theymaybehereatanymoment。"
Dorwarddrewafewstepsback。Thenheshookhishead。
"Iguessnot，"hesaidfirmly。
Bellamyregardedhisfriendinblankanduncomprehendingamazement。
"Whatdoyoumean？"heexclaimed。"You\'renotgoingtokeepittoyourself？Youknowwhatitmeanstome-toEngland？"
"Youroldcountrycanlookafterherselfprettywell，"Dorwarddeclared。"Anyhow，she\'llhavetotakeherchance。Iamnothereasaphilanthropist。IamanAmericanjournalist，andI\'llparttonobodywiththebiggestthingthat\'severcomeintoanyman\'sbands。"
Bellamy，withatremendouseffort，maintainedhisself-control。
"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？"heaskedquickly。"ItellyouI\'moffoutofthecountryto-night，"Dorwarddeclared。"IshallheadforEngland。Pearceistherehimself，andItellyouitwillbejustthegreatestdayofmylifewhenIputthispacketinhishand。We\'llmakeNewYorkhum，Icanpromiseyou，andEuropetoo。"
Bellamy\'smannerwasperfectlyquiet-tooquiettobealtogethernatural。Hishandwasstrayingtowardshispocket。
"Dorward，"hesaid，speakingrapidly，andkeepinghisbacktothedoor，"youdon\'trealizewhatyou\'reupagainst。Thissortofthingisnewtoyou。Youhaven\'tadog\'schanceofleavingViennaalivewiththatinyourpocket。IfyoutrustyourselfintheOrientExpressto-night，you\'llneverbeallowedtocrossthefrontier。
Bythistimetheyknowthatthepacketismissing；theyknow，too，thatyouaretheonlymanwhocouldhaveit，whethertheChancellorhastoldthemthetruthornot。Openitatoncesothatwegetsomegoodoutofit。Thenwe\'llgoroundtotheEmbassy。Wecanslipoutbythebackway，perhaps。RememberIhavespentmylifeintheservice，andItellyouthatthere\'snootherplaceinthecitywhereyourlifeisworthasnapofthefingersbutatyourEmbassyormine。Openthepacket，man。"
"Ithinknot，"Dorwardansweredfirmly。"IamanAmericancitizen。
Ihavebrokennolawsanddonenooneanyharm。Ifthere\'sanyslaughteringabout，Iguessthey\'llhesitatebeforetheybeginwithArthurDorward……Don\'tbeafool，man！"
Hetookaquickstepbackward，-hewaslookingintothemuzzleofBellamy\'srevolver。
"Dorward，"thelatterexclaimed，"Ican\'thelpit！Yoursisonlyapersonalambition-Istandformycountry。SharetheknowledgeofthatpacketwithmeorIshallshoot。"
"Thenshootandbed——dtoyou！"Dorwarddeclaredfiercely。"Thissmyshow，notyours。Youandyourcountrycangoto-"
Hebrokeoffwithoutfinishinghissentence。Therewasathunderousknockingatthedoor。Thetwomenlookedatoneanotherforamoment，speechless。ThenBellamy，withasmotheredoath，replacedtherevolverinhispocket。
"You\'vethrownawayourchance，"hesaidbitterly。
Theknockingwasrepeated。WhenBellamywithashrugoftheshouldersansweredthesummons，threemeninplainclothesentered。
TheysalutedBellamy，buttheireyesweretravelingaroundtheroom。
"WeareseekingHerrDorward，theAmericanjournalist！"oneexclaimed。
"Hewasherebutamomentago。"
Bellamypointedtotheinnerdoor。Hehadhadtoomuchexperienceinsuchmatterstoattemptanyprevarication。ThethreemencrossedtheroomquicklyandBellamyfollowedintherear。Heheardacryofdisappointmentfromtheforemostasheopenedthedoor。Theinnerroomwasempty！
CHAPTERIII
"OURSISASTRANGECOURTSHIP"
Louiselookedupeagerlyasheentered。
"Thereisnews！"sheexclaimed。"Icanseeitinyourface。"
"Yes，"Bellamyanswered，"thereisnews！ThatiswhyIhavecome。
Wherecanwetalk？"
Sherosetoherfeet。BeforethemtheopenFrenchwindowsledontoasmoothgreenlawn。Shetookhisarm。
"Comeoutsidewithme，"shesaid。"IamshutupherebecauseI
willnotseethedoctorswhomtheysend，oranyonefromtheOperaHouse。AnenvoyfromthePalacehasbeenandIhavesenthimaway。"
"Youmeantokeepyourword，then？"
"HaveIeverbrokenit？NeveragainwillIsinginthisCity。Itisso。"
Bellamylookedaround。Thegardenofthevillawasenclosedbyhighgraystonewalls。Theyweresecurehere，atleast，fromeavesdroppers。Sherestedherfingerslightlyuponhisarm，holdinguptheskirtsofherloosegownwithherotherhand。
"Ihavespokentoyou，"hesaid，"ofDorward，theAmericanjournalist。"
Shenodded。
"Ofcourse，"sheassented。"YoutoldmethattheChancellorhadpromisedhimaninterviewforto-day。"
"Well，hewenttothePalaceandtheChancellorsawhim。"。
Shelookedathimwithupraisedeyebrows。
"Thenewspapersarefullofliesasusual，then，Isuppose。ThelatesttelegramssaythattheChancellorisdangerouslyill。"
"Itisquitetrue，"Bellamydeclared。"WhatIamgoingtotellyouissurprising，butIhaditfromDorwardhimself。WhenhereachedthePalace，theChancellorwaspracticallyinsane。Hisdoctorsweretryingtopersuadehimtogotohisroomandliedown，butheheardDorward\'svoiceandinsisteduponseeinghim。Themanwasmad-onthevergeofacollapse-andhehandedovertoDorwardhisnotes，andaverbatimreportofallthatpassedatthePalacethismorning。"
Shelookedathimincredulously。
"MydearDavid！"sheexclaimed。
"Itisamazing，"headmitted，"butitisthetruth。Iknowitforafact。Themanwasabsolutelybesidehimself，hehadnoideawhathewasdoing。"
"Whereisit？"sheaskedquickly。"Youhaveseenit？"
"Dorwardwouldnotgiveitup，"hesaidbitterly。"Whilewearguedinoursitting-roomatthehotelthepolicearrived。Dorwardescapedthroughthebedroomanddowntheservicestairs。HespokeoftryingtocatchtheOrientExpressto-night，butIdoubtiftheywilleverlethimleavethecity。"
"Itiswonderful，this，"shemurmuredsoftly。"Whatareyougoingtodo？"
"Louise，youandIhavefewsecretsfromeachother。IwouldhavekilledDorwardtoobtainthatsealedenvelope，becauseIbelievethattheknowledgeofitscontentsinLondonto-daywouldsaveusfromdisaster。Toknowhowfareachispledged，andfromwhichdirectionthefirstblowistocome，wouldbeoursalvation。"
"Icannotunderstand，"shesaid，"whyheshouldhaverefusedtosharehisknowledgewithyou。HeisanAmerican-itisalmostthesamethingasbeinganEnglishman。Andyouarefriends，-Iamsurethatyouhavehelpedhimoften。"
"Itwasamatterofvanity-simplycursedvanity，"Bellamyanswered。
"Itwouldhavebeenthegreatestjournalisticsuccessofmoderntimesforhimtohaveprintedthatdocument，wordforword，inhispaper。Hefightsforhisownhandalone。"
"Andyou？"shewhispered。
"Hewillhavetoreckonwithme，"Bellamydeclared。"IknowthatheisgoingtotryandleaveViennato-night，andifhedoesIshallbeathisheels。"
Shenoddedherheadthoughtfully。
"I，too，"sheannounced。"Icomewithyou，myfriend。Idonomoregoodhere，andtheyworrymylifeoutallthetime。IcometosinginLondonatCoventGarden。Ihaveagreementstherewhichonlyawaitmysignature。Wewillgotogether；isitnotso？"
"Verywell，"heanswered，"onlyrememberthatmymovementsmustdependverylargelyuponDorward\'s。Thetrainleavesateighto\'clock，stationtime。Ihavealreadyacoupereserved。"
"Icomewithyou，"shemurmured。"Iamverywearyofthiscity。"
Theywalkedonforafewpacesinsilence。Bellamylookedaroundthegardens，brilliantwithfloweringshrubsandrosetrees，withhereandtheresomedelicatepieceofstatuaryhalf-hiddenamongstthewealthoffoliage。Thevillahadoncebelongedtoaroyalfavorite，andthegroundshadbeenitschiefglory。Theyreachedashelteredseatandsatdown。Afewyardsawayatinywaterfallcametumblingovertherocksintoadeeppool。Theywerehiddenfromthewindowsofthevillabytheboughsofadroopingchestnuttree。Bellamystoopedandkissedheruponthelips。
"Oursisastrangecourtship，Louise，"hewhisperedsoftly。
Shetookhishandinhersandsmoothedit。Shehadreturnedhiskiss，butshedrewalittlefurtherawayfromhim。
"Ah！mydearfriend，"lookingathimwithsorrowinhereyes，"courtshipisscarcelytheword，isit？Foryouandmethereisnothingtohopefor，nothingbeyond。"
Heleanedtowardsher。
"Neverbelievethat，"hebegged。"Thesedaysaredarkenough，Heavenknows，yettheworkofeveryonehasitsgoal。Evenourturnmaycome。"
Somethingflickeredforamomentinherface，somethingwhichseemedtomakeadifferentwomanofher。Bellamysawit，andhardenedthoughhewashefelttheslowstirringofhisownpulses。Hekissedherhandpassionatelyandsheshivered。
"Wemustnottalkofthesethings，"shesaid。"Wemustnotthinkofthem。Atleastourfriendshiphasbeenwonderful。NowImustgoin。Imusttellmymaidandarrangetostealawayto-night。"
Theystoodup，andheheldherinhisarmsforamoment。Thoughherlipsmethisfreelyenough，hewasveryconsciousofthereservewithwhichsheyieldedherselftohim，consciousofitandthankful，too。Theywalkedupthepathtogether，andastheywentshepluckedaredroseandthrustitthroughhisbuttonhole。
"Ifwehadnodreams，"shesaidsoftly，"lifewouldnotbepossible。
Perhapssomedayevenwemaypluckrosestogether。"
Heraisedherfingerstohislips。Itwasnotoftenthattheylapsedintosentiment。Whenshespokeagainitwasfinished。
"Youhadbetterleave，"shetoldhim，"bythegardengate。Therearetheusualcrowdinmyanteroom，anditiswellthatyouandI
arenotseentoomuchtogether。"
"Tillthisevening，"hewhispered，asheturnedaway。"Ishallbeatthestationearly。IfDorwardistaken，IshallstillleaveVienna。
Ifhegoes，itmaybeaneventfuljourney。"
CHAPTERIV
THENIGHTTRAINFROMVIENNA
Dorwood，whistlingsoftlytohimself，satinacornerofhiscouperollinginnumerablecigarettes。Hewasamanofunboundedcourageandwonderfulresource，butwithaslightlyexaggeratedideaastothesanctityofanAmericancitizen。Hehadservedhisapprenticeshipinhisowncountry，andhisnamehadbecomeahouseholdwordowingtohisbrilliantsuccessaswarcorrespondentintheRusso-JapaneseWar。HisexperienceofEuropeancountries，however，waslimited。Afterthemoreobviousdangerswithwhichhehadgrappledandwhichhehadovercomeduringhisadventurouscareer，hewasdisposedtobealittlecontemptuousofthesubtlerperilsatwhichhisfriendBellamyhadplainlyhinted。Hehadmadehisescapefromthehotelwithoutanyveryseriousdifficulty，andsincethattime，althoughhehadtakennoparticularprecautions，hehadremainedunmolested。Fromhisownpointofview，therefore，itwasperhapsonlyreasonablethatheshouldnolongerhaveanymisgivingastohispersonalsafety。ARRESTasathiefwastheworstwhichhehadfeared。Eventhatheseemednowtohaveevaded。
Thecoupewasexceedinglycomfortableand，afterall，hehadhadasomewhatexcitingday。Helitacigaretteandstretchedhimselfoutwithamurmurofimmensesatisfaction。Hewascloseuponthegreattriumphofhislife。Hewasperfectlycontenttoliethereandlookoutupontheflyinglandscape，uponwhichtheshadowswerenowfastdescending。Hewassafe，absolutelysafe，heassuredhimself。Nevertheless，whenthedoorofhiscoupewasopened，hestartedalmostlikeaguiltyman。Thereliefinhisfaceasherecognizedhisvisitorwasobvious。ItwasBellamywhoenteredanddroppedintoaseatbyhisside。
"Wastingyourtime，aren\'tyou？"thelatterremarked，pointingtothegrowingheapofcigarettes。
"Well，Iguessnot，"Dorwardanswered。"IcansmokethislotbeforewereachLondon。"
Bellamysmiledenigmatically。
"Idon\'tthinkthatyouwill，"hesaid。
"Whynot？"
"Youaresuchasanguineperson，"Bellamysighed。"Personally，I
donotthinkthatthereistheslightestchanceofyourreachingLondonatall。"
Dorwardlaughedscornfully。
"Andwhynot？"heasked。
Bellamymerelyshruggedhisshoulders。Dorwardseemedtofindthegestureirritating。
"You\'vegotespionageonthebrain，mydearfriend，"hedeclareddryly。"Isupposeit\'stheresultofyourprofession。ImaynotknowsomuchaboutEuropeasyoudo，butIaminclinedtothinkthatanAmericancitizentravelingwithhispassportonatrainlikethisismoderatelysafe，especiallywhenhe\'snotaboveascrapbywayoftakingcareofhimself。"
"You\'reapluckyfellow，"remarkedBellamy。
"Idon\'tseeanypluckaboutit。InVienna，Imustadmit，I
shouldn\'thavebeensurprisedifthey\'dtriedtofakeupsomesortofchargeagainstme，butanyhowtheydidn\'t。Guessthey\'dfinditaprettytallordertryingtointerferewithanAmericancitizen。"
Bellamylookedathisfriendcuriously。
"Isupposeyou\'renotbluffing，byanychance，Dorward？"hesaid。
"Youreallybelievewhatyousay？"
"Whyinthundershouldn\'tI？"Dorwardasked。
Bellamysighed。
"MydearDorward，"hesaid，"itisamazingtomethatamanofyourexperienceshouldtalkandbehavelikeababy。You\'vetakensomenoticeofyourfellow-passengers，Isuppose？"
"I\'veseenafewofthem，"Dorwardansweredcarelessly。"Whataboutthem？"
"Nothingmuch，"Bellamydeclared，"exceptthatthereare，tomycertainknowledge，threehighofficialsoftheSecretPoliceofAustriainthenextcoupebutone，andatleastfourorfiveoftheirsubordinatessomewhereonboardthetrain。"
Dorwardwithdrewhiscigarettefromhismouthandlookedathisfriendkeenly。
"Iguessyou\'retryingtoscareme，Bellamy，"heremarked。
ButBellamywassuddenlygrave。Therehadcomeintohisfaceanutterlyalteredexpression。Histone，whenhespoke，wasalmostsolemn。
"Dorward，"hesaid，"uponmyhonor，IassureyouthatwhatIhavetoldyouisthetruth。Icannotseemtomakeyourealizetheseriousnessofyourposition。WhenyouleftthePalacewiththatpaperinyourpocket，youwere，toallintentsandpurposes，adoomedman。YourpassportandyourAmericancitizenshipcountforabsolutelynothing。Ihavecomeintowarnyouthatifyouhaveanylastmessagestoleave，youhadbettergivethemtomenow。"
"Thisisaprettygoodbluffyou\'reputtingup！"Dorwardexclaimedcontemptuously。"Thelongandshortofitis，Isuppose，thatyouwantmetobreakthesealofthisdocumentandletyoureadit。"
Bellamyshookhishead。
"Itistoolateforthat，Dorward，"hesaid。"Ifthesealwerebroken，they\'dverysoonguesswhereIcamein，anditwouldn\'thelptheworkIhaveinhandformetobepickedupwithabulletinmyforeheadontherailwaytrack。"
Dorwardfrowneduneasily。
"Whatareyouherefor，anyway，then？"heasked。
"Well，frankly，nottoarguewithyou，"Bellamyanswered。"Asamatteroffact，youareofnousetomeanylonger。Iamsorry，oldman。Youcan\'tsaythatIdidn\'tgiveyougoodadvice。Iamboundtoplayformyownhand，though，inthismatter，andifI
getanybenefitatalloutofmyjourney，itwillbeaftersomeregrettableaccidenthashappenedtoyou。"
"Say，ringthebellfordrinksandchuckthis！"Dorwardexclaimed。
"I\'vehadaboutenoughofit。Iamnotdenyinganythingyousay，butifthesefellowsreallyareonboard，they\'llthinktwicebeforetheymeddlewithme。"
"Onthecontrary，"Bellamyassuredhim，"theywillnottakethetroubletothinkatall。Theirmindsareperfectlymadeupastowhattheyaregoingtodo。However，that\'sfinished。Ihavenothingmoretosay。
Dorwardgazedforaminuteortwofixedlyoutofthewindow。
"Lookhere，Bellamy，"hesaid，turningabruptlyround，"supposingIchangemymind，supposingIopenthispreciousdocumentandletyoureaditoverwithme？"
Bellamyrosehastilytohisfeet。
"Youmustnotthinkofit！"heexclaimed。"Youwouldsimplywritemydeath-warrant。Don\'talludetothatmatteragain。I
haveriskedenoughincominginheretositwithyou。"
"Then，forHeaven\'ssake，don\'tstopanylonger！"Dorwardsaidirritably。"Yougetonmynerveswithallthisfoolishtalk。Inanhour\'stimeIamgoingtoboltmydoorandgotosleep。We\'llbreakfasttogetherinthemorning，ifyoulike。"
Bellamysaidnothing。ThestewardhadbroughtthemthewhiskiesandsodaswhichDorwardhadordered。Bellamyraisedhistumblertohislipsandsetitdownagain。
"Forgiveme，"hesaid，"IdonotthinkthatIamthirsty。"
Dorwarddrankhisoffatagulp。Almostimmediatelyheclosedhiseyes。Bellamy，withalittleshrugoftheshoulders，lefthimalone。Ashepassedalongtohisowncoupe，hemetLouiseinthecorridor。
"YouhaveseenVonBehrling？"hewhispered。Shenodded。
"Heisinthatcoupe，number7，alone，"shesaid。"Iinvitedhimtocomeinwithmebutheseemedembarrassed。Itishiscompanionswhowatchhimallthetime。Hehaspromisedtotalkwithmelater。"
Inthemiddleofthenight，LouiseopenedhereyestofindBellamybendingoverher。
"Louise，"hewhispered，"itisVonBehrlingwhowilltakepossessionofthepacket。TheyhavebeendiscussingwhetheritwillnotbesafertogoontoLondoninsteadofdoublingback。SeeVonBehrlingagain。DoallyoucantopersuadehimtocometoLondon，-allyoucan，Louise，remember。"
"So！"shewhispered。"Ishallputonmydressing-gownandsitinthecorridor。Itishothere。"
Bellamyglidedout，closingthedoorsoftlybehindhim。Thetrainwasrushingonnowthroughtheblacknessofanunusuallydarknight。
Forsometimehesatinhisowncompartment，listening。Thevoiceswhosemutteredconversationhehadoverheardweresilentnow，butoncehefanciedthatheheardshufflingfootstepsandalittlecry。
InhisheartheknewwellthatbeforemorningDorwardwouldhavedisappeared。Themanwithinhimwashardtosubdue。HelongedtomakehiswaytoDorward\'sside，tointerfereinthisterriblyunequalstruggle，yethemadenomovement。Dorwardwasamanandafriend，butwhatwasalifemoreorless？Itwastoagreatercausethathewaspledged。Towardsthreeo\'clockhelaydownonhisbedandslept……
Thetrainattendantbroughthimhiscoffeesoonafterdaylight。Theman\'shandsweretrembling。
"Wherearewe？"Bellamyaskedsleepily。
"NearMunich，Monsieur，"themananswered。"Monsieurnoticed，perhaps，thatwestoppedforsometimeinthenight？"
Bellamyshookhishead。
"Isleepsoundly，"hesaid。"Iheardnothing。"
"Therehasbeenanaccident，"themandeclared。"AnAmericangentlemanwhogotinatViennawasdrinkingwhiskeyallnightandbecameverydrunk。Inatunnelhethrewhimselfoutupontheline。"
Bellamyshudderedalittle。Hehadbeenprepared，butnonethelessitwasanawfulthing，this。
"Youaresurethatheisdead？"heasked。
Themanwasverysureindeed。
"ThereisadoctorfromViennauponthetrain，sir，"hesaid。"Heexaminedhimatonce，butdeathmusthavebeeninstantaneous。"
Bellamydrewalongbreathandcommencedtoputonhisclothes。
Thenextmovewasforhim。
CHAPTERV
"VONBEHRLINGHASTHEPACKET"
Bellamystolealongthehalf-litcorridorsofthetrainuntilhecametothecoup6whichhadbeenreservedforMademoiselleIdiale。
Assuredthathewasnotwatched，hesoftlyturnedthehandleofthedoorandentered。Louisewassittingupinherdressing-gown，drinkinghercoffee。Hehelduphisfingerandshegreetedhimonlywithanod。
"Forgiveme，Louise，"hewhispered，"Idarednotknock，andIwasobligedtoseeyouatonce。"
Shesmiled。
"Itisofnoconsequence，"shesaid。"Oneisalwayspreparedhere。
Theporter，theticket-man，andatthecustoms-theyallenter。
Isanythingwrong？"
"Ithashappened，"heanswered。
Sheshiveredalittleandherfacebecamegrave。
"Poorfellow！"shemurmured。
"Hesimplysatstillandaskedforit，"Bellamydeclared，stillspeakinginacautiousundertone。"Hewouldnotbewarned。Icouldhavesavedhim，ifanyonecould，buthewouldnothearreason。"
"Hewaswhatyoucallpig-headed，"sheremarked。
"Hehaspaidthepenalty，"Bellamycontinued。"Nowlistentome，Louise。IgotintothatsmallcoupenexttoVonBehrling\'s，andI
feelsure，fromwhatIoverheard，thattheywillgoontoLondon，allthreeofthem。"
"Whoisthereonthetrain？"shedemanded。
"BaronStreuss，whoisheadoftheSecretPolice，VonBehrlingandAdolfKahn，"Bellamyanswered。"ThentherearefourorfiveSecretServicemenoftherankandfile，buttheyarealltravelingseparately。VonBehrlinghasthepacket。Theothersformasortofcordonaroundhim。"
"Butwhy，"sheasked，"doeshegoontoLondon？WhynotreturntoVienna？"
"Foronething，"Bellamyreplied，withagrimsmile，"theyareafraidofme。ThenyoumustrememberthatthisaffairofDorwardwillbetalkedabout。Theydonotwanttoseeminanywayimplicated。Toreturnfromanyoneofthesestationsdownthelinewouldcreatesuspicion。"
Shenodded。
"Well？"
"Iamgoingtoleavethetrainatthenextstop，"hecontinued。"I
findthatIshalljustcatchtheNorthernExpresstoBerlin。FromthereIshallcomeontoLondonasquicklyasIcan。Youknowtheaddressofmyrooms？"
Shenodded。
"15，FitzroyStreet。"
"WhenIgetthere，letmehavealinewaitingtotellmewhereI
canseeyou。WhileIamonthetrainyouwillfindVonBehrlingalmostinaccessible。DirectlyIhavegoneitwillbedifferent。
Playwithhimcarefully。Heshouldnotbedifficult。Totellyouthetruth，Iamrathersurprisedthathehasbeentrusteduponamissionlikethis。HewasindisgracewiththeChancellorashortwhileago，andIknowthathewashurtatnotbeingallowedtoattendtheconference。Theotherswillwatchhimclosely，buttheycannotoverheareverythingthatpassesbetweenyoutwo。VonBehrlingisapoorman。Youwillknowhowtomakehimwishhewererich。"
Veryslowlyhereyebrowsroseup。Shelookedathimdoubtfully。
"Itisaslenderchance，David，"sheremarked。"VonBehrlingisalittlewild，Iknow，andhepretendstobeverymuchinlovewithme，butIdonotthinkthathewouldsellhiscountry。Then，too，seehowhewillbewatched。Idonotsupposethattheywillleaveusaloneforamoment。"
Bellamytookherhandsinhis，grippingthemwithalmostunnaturalforce。
"Louise，"hedeclaredearnestly，"youdon\'tquiterealizeVonBehrling\'sspecialweaknessandyourextraordinarystrength。Youknowthatyouarebeautiful，Isuppose，butyoudonotquiteknowwhatthatmeans。Ihaveheardmentalkaboutyoutillonewouldthinkthattheywerechildren。Youhavesomethingofthatartorguile-callitwhatyouwill-whichpassesfromyouthroughaman\'sbloodtohisbrain，andcarrieshimindeedtoHeaven-butcarrieshimtheremad。Louise，don\'tbeangrywithmeforwhatI
say。RememberthatIknowmysex。Iknowyou，too，andItrustyou，butyoucanturnVonBehrlingfromasane，honorablemanintowhatyouwill，withoutsufferingevenhislipstotouchyourfingers。VonBehrlinghasthatpacketinhispossession。WhenI
cometoseeyouinLondon，IwillbringyoutwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes。WiththatVonBehrlingmightfancyhimselfonhiswaytoAmerica-withyou。"
Sheclosedhereyesforamoment。Perhapsshewishedtokeephiddenfromhimthethoughtswhichchasedoneanotherthroughherbrain。
Hewishedtomakeuseofher-ofher，thewomanwhomheloved。
Thensherememberedthatitwasforhercountryandhis，andtheangerpassed。
"ButIamafraid，"shesaidsoftly，"thatthemomenttheyreachLondonthisdocumentwillbetakentotheAustrianEmbassy。"
"Beforethen，"Bellamydeclared，"VonBehrlingmustnotknowwhetherheisinheavenoruponearth。ItwillnotbeopenedinLondon。
HecanmakeupanotherpackettoresemblepreciselytheoneofwhichherobbedDorward。Oh！itisadifficultgame，Iknow，butitisworthplaying。Remember，Louise，thatwearenotpettyconspirators。
Itisyourcountry\'sveryexistencethatisthreatened。ItisforhersakeaswellasforEngland。"
"Ishalldomybest，"shemurmured，lookingintohisface。"Oh，youmaybesurethatIshalldomybest！"
Bellamyraisedherfingerstohislipsandstoleaway。Theelectriclampshadbeenturnedout，butthemorningwascloudyandthelightdim。Backinhisownberth，heputhisthingstogether，readytoleaveatMunich。Thenherangfortheporter。
"Iamgettingoutatthenextstop，"heannounced。
"Verygood，Monsieur，"themananswered。
Bellamylookedathimclosely。
"YouareaFrenchman？"
"Itisso，Monsieur！"
"Imaybewrong，"Bellamycontinuedslowly，"butIbelievethatifIaskedyouaquestionanditconcernedsomeGermansandAustriansyouwouldtellmethetruth。"
Theman\'sgesturewasinimitable。Englishmentohimwereobviouslythesaltoftheearth。GermansandAustrians-why，theyexistedasthecattleinthefields-nothingmore。Bellamygavehimasovereign。
"TherewerethreeAustrianswhogotinatVienna，"hesaid。"Theyareinnumberstenandeleven。"
"Butyes，Monsieur！"themanassented。"AsyetIthinktheyarefastasleep。Notoneofthemhasrungforhiscoffee。"
"Wherearetheybookedfor？"
"ForLondon，Monsieur。"
"Youdonothappen，"Bellamycontinued，"tohaveheardthemsayanythingaboutleavingthetrainbeforethen？"
"Onthecontrary，sir，"theporteranswered，"twoofthegentlemenhavebeeninquiringabouttheboatacrosstoDover。Theywereveryanxioustotravelbyaturbine。"
Bellamynodded。
"Thankyouverymuch。YouwillbesodiscreetastoforgetthatI
haveaskedyouanyquestionsconcerningthem。Asforme，ifonewouldknow，IamonmywaytoBerlin。"
Thebellrang。ThemanlookedoutsideandputhisheadoncemoreinBellamy\'scoupe。
"Itisoneofthegentlemanwhohasrung，"hedeclared。"Ifanythingissaidaboutleavingthetrain，IshallreportitatoncetoMonsieur。"
"Youwilldowell，"Bellamyanswered。
Theporterreturnedinafewmoments。
"Twoofthegentlemen，sir，"heannounced，"areundressedandintheirpyjamas。TheyhaveorderedtheirbreakfasttobeservedafterweleaveMunich。"
Bellamynodded。
"Further，sir，"themancontinued，comingalittlecloser，"oneofthemaskedmewhethertheEnglishgentleman-meaningyou-wasgoingthroughtoLondonornot。ItoldthemthatyouweregettingoutatthenextstationandthatIthoughtyouweregoingtoBerlin。"
"Quiteright，"Bellamysaid。"Iftheyaskanymorequestions，letmeknow。"
