第2章

MademoiselleIdiale，withtheaidofoneofthetwomaidswhoweretravelingwithher，wasabletomakeasufficientlyeffectivetoilette。Atafewminutesbeforethetimeforluncheon，shewalkeddownthecorridorandrecognizedVonBehrling，whowassittingwithhiscompanionsinoneofthecompartments。

"Ah，itisindeedyou，then！"sheexclaimed，smilingathim。

Herosetohisfeetandcameout。Tall，withafairmoustacheandblueeyes，hewasoftentakenforanEnglishmanandwasinclinedtobeproudofthefact。

"Youhaverestedwell，Itrust，Mademoiselle？"heasked，bowinglowoverherfingers。

"Excellently，"repliedLouise。"Willyounottakemeintoluncheon？

ThecarisfullofmenandIamnotcomfortablealone。Itisnotpleasant，either，toeatwithone\'smaids。"

"Iamhonored，"hedeclared。"Willyoupermitmeforonemoment？"

Heturnedandspoketohiscompanions。Louisesawatoncethattheywereprotestingvigorously。Shesaw，too，thatVonBehrlingonlybecamemoreobstinateandthathewasverynearlyangry。Shemovedafewstepsondownthecorridor，andstoodlookingoutofthewindow。Hejoinedheralmostimmediately。

"Come，"hesaid，"theywillbeservingluncheoninfiveminutes。

Wewillgoandtakeagoodplace。"

"Yourfriends，Iamafraid，"sheremarked，"didnotlikeyourleavingthem。Theyarenotverygallant。"

"Tomeitisindifferent，"heanswered，fiercelytwirlinghismoustache。"Streussthereisanoldfool。Hehasalwayssomefancyinhisbrain。"

Louiseraisedhereyebrowsslightly。

"Youareyourownmaster，Isuppose，"shesaid。"TheBaronisusedtocommandhispolicemen，andsometimesheforgets。Therearemanypeoplewhofindhimtooautocratic。"

"Hemeanswell，"VonBehrlingasserted。"Itishismanneronlywhichisagainsthim。"

Theyfoundacomfortabletable，andshesatsmilingathimacrossthewhitecloth。

"IfthisisnotSachers，"shesaid，"itisatleastmorepleasantthanlunchingalone。"

"Icanassureyou，Mademoiselle，"hedeclared，withavigoroustwirlofhismoustache，"thatIfinditso。"

"Alwaysgallant，"shemurmured。"Tellme，isittrueofyou-thenewswhichIheardjustbeforeIleftVienna？HaveyoureallyresignedyourpostwiththeChancellor？"

"Youheardthat？"heaskedslowly。

Shehesitatedforamoment。

"Iheardsomethingofthesort，"sheadmitted。"Tobequitecandidwithyou，IthinkitwasreportedthattheChancellorwasmakingachangeonhisownaccount。"

"Sothatiswhattheysay，isit？Whatdotheyknowaboutit-thesegossipers？"

"Youwerenotallowedattheconferenceyesterday，"sheremarked。

"Noonewasallowedthere，sothatgoesfornothing。"

"Ah！well，"shesaid，lookingmeditativelyoutuponthelandscape，"ayearagothethoughtofthatconferencewouldhavedrivenmewild。IshouldnothavebeencontentuntilIhadlearnedsomehoworotherwhathadtranspired。Lately，Iamafraid，myinterestinmycountryseemstohavegrownatriflecold。PerhapsbecauseI

havelivedinViennaIhavelearnedtolookatthingsfromyourpointofview。Then，too，theworldisaselfishplace，andourownlittlecareersare，afterall，themostimportantpartofit。"

VonBehrlingeyedherCuriously。

"Itseemsstrangetohearyoutalklikethis，"heremarked。

Shelookedoutofthewindowforamoment。

"Oh！Istilllovemycountry，inaway，"sheanswered，"andIstillhateallAustrians，inaway，butitisnotasitusedtobewithme，Imustadmit。Ifwehadtwolives，Iwouldgiveonetomycountryandkeeponeformyself。Sincewehaveonlyone，Iamafraid，afterall，thatIamhuman，andIwanttotastesomeofitspleasures。"

"Someofitspleasures，"VonBehrlingrepeated，alittlegloomily。

"Ah，thatiseasyenoughforyou，Mademoiselle！"

"Notsoeasyasitmayappear，"sheanswered。"Oneneedsmanythingstogetthebestoutoflife。Oneneedswealthandoneneedslove，andoneneedsthemwhileoneisyoung，whileonecanenjoy。"

"Itistrue，"VonBehrlingadmitted，-"quitetrue。"

"Ifoneisnotcareful，"shecontinued，"oneletstheyearsslipby。

Theycannevercomeagain。Ifonedoesnotlivewhileoneisyoung，thereisnootherchance。"

VonBehrlingassentedwithrenewedgloom。Hewastwenty-fiveyearsold，andhisincomebarelypaidforhisuniforms。Oflate，thisfacthadmateriallyinterferedwithhisenjoyments。

"Itisstrange，"hesaid，"thatyoushouldtalklikethis。Youhavetheworldatyourfeet，Mademoiselle。Youhaveonlytothrowthehandkerchief。"

Herlipspartedinadazzlingsmile。Thebluesteyesintheworldgrewsofterastheylookedintohis。VonBehrlingfelthischeeksburn。

"Myfriend，itisnotsoeasy，"shemurmured。"Tellme，"shecontinued，"whyitisthatyouhavesolittleself-confidence。Isitbecauseyouarepoor？"

"Iamabeggar，"-bitterly。

Sheshruggedhershoulders。

"Well，"shesaid，glancingdownthemenuwhichthewaiterhadbrought，"ifyouarepoorandcontenttoremainso，onemustpresumethatyouhavecompensations。"

"ButIhavenone！"hedeclared。"Youshouldknowthat-you，Mademoiselle。Lifeformemeansonethingandonethingonly！"

Shelookedathim，foramoment，anddownuponthetablecloth。VonBehrlingshooklikeamaninthethroesofsomegreatpassion。

"Wetalktoointimately，"shewhispered，asthepeoplebegantofileintotaketheirplaces。"Afterluncheonwewilltakeourcoffeeinmycoupe。Then，ifyoulike，wewillspeakofthesematters。I

haveaheadache。Willyouordermesomechampagne？Itisaterriblething，Iknow，todrinkwineinthemorning，butwhenonetravels，whatcanonedo？Herecomeyourbodyguard。TheylookatmeasthoughIhadstolenyouaway。Rememberwetakeourcoffeetogetherafterwards。Iamboredwithsomuchtraveling，andIlooktoyoutoamuseme。"

VonBehrling\'sjourneywas，afterall，markedwithsharpcontrasts。

Thekindnessofthewomanwhomheadoredwassufficientinitselftohavetransportedhimintoaseventhheaven。Ontheotherhand，hehadtroublewithhisfriends。StreussdrewhimononesideatOstend，andtalkedtohimplainly。

"VonBehrling，"hesaid，"IspeaktoyouonbehalfofKahnandmyself。Wineandwomenandpleasurearegoodthings。Wetwo，welovethem，perhaps，asyoudo，butthereisaplaceandatimeforthem，anditisnotnow。Ourmissionistooserious。"

"Well，well！"VonBehrlingexclaimedimpatiently，"whatisallthis？

WhatdoIdowrong？Whathaveyoutosayagainstme？IfItalkwithMademoiselleIdiale，itisbecauseitisthenaturalthingformetodo。Wouldyouhaveusthree-youandKahnandmyself-travelarminarmandspeakneverawordtoourfellowpassengers？Wouldyouhaveusproclaimtoalltheworldthatweareonasecretmission，carryingasecretdocument，toobtainwhichwehavealreadycommittedacrime？Theseareold-fashionedmethods，Streuss。Itisbetterthatwebehavelikeordinarymortals。Youtalkfoolishly，Streuss！"

"Itisyou，"theoldermandeclared，"whoplaythefool，andwewillnothaveit！MademoiselleIdialeisaServianandapatriot。Sheisthefriend，too，ofBellamy，theEnglishman。Sheandheweretogetherlastnight。"

"Bellamyisnotevenonthetrain，"VonBehrlingprotested。"HewentnorthtoBerlin。Thatitselfistheproofthattheyknownothing。Ifhehadhadthemerestsuspicion，doyounotthinkthathewouldhavestayedwithus？"

"Bellamyisveryclever，"Streussanswered。"Therearetoomanyofustodealwith，-heknewthat。MademoiselleIdialeisclever，too。Rememberthathalfthetroubleinlifehascomeaboutthroughfalsewomen。

"Whatisitthatyouwant？"VonBehrlingdemanded。

"Thatyoutraveltherestofthewaywithus，andspeaknomorewithMademoiselle。"

VonBehrlingdrewhimselfup。Afterall，itwashewhowasnoble；

Streusswaslittlemorethanapoliceman。

"Irefuse！"heexclaimed。"Letmeremindyou，Streuss，thatIaminchargeofthisexpedition。ItwasIwhoplannedit。ItwasI"-

hedroppedhisvoiceandtouchedhischest-"whostruckthefirstblowforitssuccess。Ithinkthatweneedtalknomore，"hewenton。"Iwelcomeyourcompanionship。Itmakesforstrengththatwetraveltogether。Butfortherest，theenterprisehasbeenmine，thesuccesssofarhasbeenmine，andtheterminationofitshallbemine。Watchme，ifyoulike。StaywithmeandseethatIamnotrobbed，ifyoufearthatIamnotabletotakecareofmyself，butdonotaskmetobehavelikeanidiot。"

VonBehrlingsteppedawayquickly。Thesirenwasalreadyblowingfromthesteamer。

CHAPTERVI

VONBEHRLINGISTEMPTED

Thenightwasdarkbutfine，andthecrossingsmooth。Louise，wrappedinfurs，abandonedherprivatecabindirectlytheyhadlefttheharbor，andhadachairplacedontheupperdeck。VonBehrlingfoundherthere，butnotbeforetheywerenearlyhalf-wayacross。

Shebeckonedhimtoherside。Hereyesglowedathimthroughthedarkness。

"Youarenotlookingafterme，myfriend，"shedeclared。"BymyselfIhadtofindthisplace。"

VonBehrlingwasruffled。Hewasalsohumblyapologetic。

"Itisthoseidiotswhoarewithme，"hesaid。"Allthetimetheyworry。"

Shelaughedanddrewhimdownsothatshecouldwhisperinhisear。

"Iknowwhatitis，"shesaid。"YouhavesecretswhichyouaretakingtoLondon，andtheyareafraidofmebecauseIamaServian。

Tellme，isitnotso？Perhaps，even，theythinkthatIamaspy。"

VonBehrlinghesitated。Shedrewhimclosertowardsher。

"Sitdownonthedeck，"shecontinued，"andleanagainsttherail。

Youaretoobigtotalktoupthere。So！Nowyoucancomeunderneathmyrug。Tellme，aretheyafraidofme，yourfriends？"

"Isitwithoutreason？"heasked。"Wouldnotanyonebeafraidofyou-if，indeed，theybelievedthatyouwishedtoknowoursecrets？

Iwonderifthereisamanalivewhomyoucouldnotturnroundyourlittlefinger。"

Shelaughedathimsoftly。

"Ah，no！"shesaid。"Menarenotlikethat，nowadays。Theytalkandtheytalk，butitisnotmuchtheywoulddoforawoman\'ssake。"

"Youbelievethat？"heasked，inalowtone。

"Ido，indeed。Onereadslove-stories-no，Idonotmeanromances，butmemoirs-memoirsoftheFrenchandAustrianCourts-memoirs，even，writtenbyEnglishmen。Menweredifferentagenerationago。

Honorwasdeartothemthen，honorandpositionandwealth，andyetthereweremany，verymanythenwhowerewillingtogiveallthesethingsfortheloveofawoman。

"Anddoyouthinktherearenonenow？"hewhisperedhoarsely。

"Myfriend，"sheanswered，lookingdownathim，"Ithinkthatthereareveryfew。"

Sheheardhisbreathcomefastbetweenhisteeth，andsherealizedhisstateofexcitement。

"MademoiselleLouise，"hesaid，"myloveforyouhasmademealaughing-stockintheclubsofVienna。I-thepoverty-stricken，whohavenothingbutanoblename，nothingtoofferyou-havedaredtoshowotherswhatIthink，havedaredtoplaceyouinmyheartaboveallthewomenonearth。"

"Itisveryniceofyou，"shemurmured。"Whydoyoutellmethisnow？"

"Why，indeed？"heanswered。"WhathaveItohopefor？"

Shelookedalongthedeck。Notadozenyardsaway，twocigarendsburnedredthroughthegloom。SheknewverywellthatthosecigarendsbelongedtoStreussandhisfriend。Shelaughedsoftlyandoncemoreshebentherhead。

"Howtheywatchyou，thosemen！"shesaid。"Listen，myfriendRudolph。Supposingtheirfearsweretrue，supposingIwerereallyaspy，supposingIofferedyouwealthandwithitwhateverelseyoumightclaimfromme，forthesecretwhichyoucarrytoEngland！"

"HowdoyouknowthatIamcarryingasecret？"heaskedhoarsely。

Shelaughed。

"Myfriend，"shesaid，"withyourtwoabsurdcompanionsshadowingyouallthetimeandgloweringatme，howcouldonepossiblydoubtit？TheBaronStreussis，Ibelieve，theChiefofyourSecretServiceDepartment，ishenot？TomeheseemsthemostobviouspolicemanIeversawdressedasagentleman。"

"Youdon\'tmeanit！"hemuttered。"Youcan\'tmeanwhatyousaidjustnow！"

Shewassilentforafewmoments。Someonepassingstruckamatch，andshecaughtaglimpseofthewhitefaceofthemanwhosatbyherside-strainednowandcuriouslyintense。

"SupposingIdid！"

"Youmustbemad！"hedeclared。"Youmustnottalktomelikethis，Mademoiselle。Ihavenosecret。Itisyourhumor，Iknow，butitisdangerous。"

"Thereisnodanger，"shemurmured，"forwearealone。Isayagain，Rudolph，supposingthisweretrue？"

Hishandpassedacrosshisforehead。Shefanciedthathemadeamotionasthoughtorisetohisfeet，butshelaidherhanduponhis。

"Stayhere，"shewhispered。"No，Idonotwishtodriveyouaway。

Nowyouarehereyoushalllistentome。"

"Butyouarenotinearnest！"hefaltered。"Don\'ttellmethatyouareinearnest。Itistreason。IamRudolphVonBehrling，SecretarytotheChancellor。"

Againsheleanedtowardshimsothathecouldseeintohereyes。

"Rudolph，"shesaid，"youareindeedRudolphVonBehrling，youareindeedtheChancellor\'ssecretary。Whatdoyougainfromit？A

pittance！Manyhoursworkadayandapittance。Whathaveyoutolookforwardto？Alittleofficiallife，astupidofficialposition。

Rudolph，hereamI，andthereistheworld。DoInotrepresentotherthings？"

"Godknowsyoudo！"hemuttered。

"I，too，amwearyofsinging。Iwantalongrest-alongrestandabetternamethanmyown。Don\'tshrinkawayfromme。Itisn\'tsowonderful，afterall。Bellamy，theEnglishman，cametomeafewhoursago。HewasDorward\'sfriend。HeknewwellwhatDorwardcarried。Itwasnothisaffair，hetoldme，andinterpositionfromhimwashopeless，butheknewthatyouandIwerefriends。"

"Youmuststop！"VonBehrlingdeclared。"Youmuststop！Imustnotlistentothis！"

"Heofferedmetwentythousandpounds，"shewenton，"forthepacketinyourpocket。Thinkofthat，myfriend。Itwouldbeastartinlife，woulditnot？Iamanextravagantwoman。EvenifIwould，I

darednotthinkofapoorman。Buttwentythousandpoundsissufficient。WhenIreachLondon，Iamgoingtoaflatwhichhasbeenwaitingformeforweeks-15，DoverStreet。IfyoubringthatpackettomeinsteadoftakingittotheAustrianEmbassy，therewillbetwentythousandpoundsand-"

Herfingerssuddenlyheldhis。Shecouldalmosthearhisheartbeating。Hereyes，bynowaccustomedtothegloom，couldseethetumultwhichwaspassingwithintheman，reflectedinhisface。

Shewhisperedawarningunderherbreath。Thetwocigarendshadmovednearer。Theformsofthetwomenwerenowdistinct。OnewasleaningoverthesideoftheshipbyVonBehrling\'sside。Theotherstoodafewfeetaway，gazingatthelightsofDover。VonBehrlingstaggeredtohisfeet。HesaidsomethinginanangryundertonetoStreuss。Louiseroseandshookoutherfurs。

"Myfriend，"shesaid，turningtoVonBehrling，"ifyourfriendscanspareyousolong，willyoufetchoneofmymaids？Youwillfindthembothinmycabin，numberthree。Iwishtowalkforafewmomentsbeforewearrive。"

VonBehrlingturnedawaylikeamaninadream。MademoiselleIdialefollowedhimslowly，andbehindhercameVonBehrling\'scompanions。

Thedetailsofthegreatsinger\'sjourneyhadbeenmostcarefullyplannedbyanexcitedmanagerwhohadreceivedthetelegramannouncingherjourneytoLondon。TherewasanengagedcarriageatDover，intowhichshewasdulyescortedbyarepresentativeoftheOperaSyndicate，whohadbeensentdownfromLondontoreceiveher。

VonBehrlingseemedtobemissing。Shehadseennothingofhimsincehehaddescendedtosummonhermaids。Butjustasthetrainwasstarting，sheheardthesoundofangryvoices，andamomentlaterhiswhitefacewaspressedthroughtheopenwindowofthecarriage。

"Louise，"hemuttered，"Iamonfire！Icannottalktoyou！Ifearthattheysuspectsomething。TheyhavetoldmethatifItravelwithyoutheywillforcetheirwayin。Evennow，Streusscomes。

Listenforyourtelephoneto-nightorwheneverIcan。Imustthink-Imustthink！"

Hepassedon，andLouise，leaningbackinherseat，closedhereyes。

CHAPTERVII

"WEPLAYFORGREATSTAKES"

Bellamy，travel-stainedandweary，arrivedathisroomsattwoo\'clockonthefollowingafternoontofindamongstapileofcorrespondenceapenciledmessageawaitinghiminahandwritingheknewwell。Hetoreopentheenvelope。

DAVIDDEAR，-IhavejustarrivedandIamsendingyouthesefewlinesatonce。AstowhatprogressIhavemade，Icannotsayforcertain，butthereisachance。Youhadbettergetthemoneyreadyandcometomehere。IfR。couldonlyescapefromStreussandthosewhowatchhimallthetime，Ishouldbequitesure，buttheyaresuspicious。WhatmayhappenIcannottell。IdomybestandIhavehatedit。Getthemoneyreadyandcometome。

LOUISE。

Bellamydrewalittlebreathandtorethenoteintopieces。Thenherangforhisservant。"Abathandsomecleanclothesquickly，"

heordered。"WhileIamchanging，ringupDowningStreetandseeifSirJamesisthere。Ifnot，findoutexactlywhereheis。I

mustseehimwithinhalfanhour。Afterwards，getmeataxicab。"

Themanobeyedwiththeswiftefficiencyofthethoroughlytrainedservant。Inratherlessthanthetimewhichhehadstated，Bellamyhadlefthisrooms。Beforefouro\'clockhehadarrivedattheaddresswhichLouisehadgivenhim。Acommissionairetelephonedhisnametothefirstfloor，andinaveryfewmomentsapale-facedFrenchman-servant，insombreblacklivery，descendedandbowedtoBellamy。

"Monsieurwillbesogoodastocomethisway，"hedirected。

Bellamyfollowedhimintothelift，whichstoppedatthefirstfloor。Hewasusheredintoasmallboudoir，alreadysmotheredwithroses。

"Mademoisellewillbehereimmediately，"themanannounced。"SheisengagedwithagentlemanfromtheOpera，butshewillleavehimtoreceiveMonsieur。"

Bellamynodded。

"PrayletMademoiselleunderstand，"hesaid，"thatIamentirelyatherservice。Mytimeisofnoconsequence。"

Themanbowedandwithdrew。Louisecametohimalmostdirectlyfromaninnerchamber。Shewaswearingaloosegown，butthefatigueofherjourneyseemedalreadytohavepassedaway。Hereyeswerebright，andafaintcolorglowedinhercheeks。

"David，"sheexclaimed，"thankHeaventhatyouarehere！"

Shetookbothhishandsandheldthemforamoment。Thenshewalkedtothedoor，madesurethatitwassecurelyfastened，andstoodtherelisteningforamoment。

"IsupposeIamfoolish，"shesaid，comingbacktohim，"andyetI

cannothelpfancyingthatIambeingwatchedoneverysidesincewelandedinEngland。Idetestmynewmanager，andIdon\'ttrustanyoftheservantshehasengagedforme。Yougotmynote？"

"Yes，"heanswered，"Ihadyournote-andIamhere。"

Therestraintofhismannerwasobvious。Hewasstandingalittleawayfromher。Shecamesuddenlyuptohim，herhandsfelluponhisshoulders，herfacewasupturnedtohis。Eventhenhemadenomotiontoembraceher。

"David，"shewhisperedsoftly，"whatIamdoing-whatIhavedone-wasatyoursuggestion。Idoitforyou，Idoitformycountry，IdoitagainsteverynaturalfeelingIpossess。IhateandloathetheliesItell。Areyourememberingthat？Isitinyourheartatthismoment？"

Hestoopedandkissedher。

"Forgiveme，"hesaid，"itisIwhoamtoblame，butIamonlyhuman。

Weplayforgreatstakes，Louise，butsometimesoneforgets。"

"AsIlive，"shemurmured，"thekissyougavemelastisstilluponmylips。WhatIhavepromisedgoesfornothing。Whathehaspromisedisthis-thepapersto-night。"

"Unopened？"

"Unopened，"sherepeated，softly。

"Buthowisittobedone？"Bellamyasked。"HemusthavearrivedinLondonwhenyoudidlastnight。HowisittheyarenotalreadyattheEmbassy？"

"TheAmbassadorwascommandedtoCowes，"sheexplained。"Hecannotbebackuntillateto-night。Nooneelsehasakeytothetreatysafe，andVonBehrlingdeclinedtogiveupthedocumenttoanyonesavetheAmbassadorhimself。"

Bellamynodded。

"WhataboutStreuss？"

"Streussandtheothersareallfurious，"Louisesaid。"Yet，afterall，Behrlinghasacertainmeasureofrightonhisside。HisordersweretoseewithhisowneyesthisenvelopedepositedinthesafebytheAmbassadorhimself。"

"Hereturnsto-night！"Bellamyexclaimedquickly。

Shenodded。

"Beforehecomes，"shedeclared，"Ithinkthatthedocumentwillbeinyourhands。"

"Howisittobedone？"

"Thereportiswritten，"sheexplained，"onfivepagesoffoolscap。

Theyarecontainedinalongenvelope，scaledwiththeChancellor\'screst。VonBehrling，beingoneofthefamily，hasthesamecrest。

Hehaspreparedanotherenvelope，thesamesizeandweight，andsigneditwithhisseal。ItisthiswhichhewillhandovertotheAmbassadorifheshouldreturnunexpectedly。Therealonehehasconcealed。"

"Ishehere？"Bellamyinquired。

"ThankHeavens，no！"sheanswered。"MydearDavid，whatareyouthinkingof？Heisnothereandhedarenotcomehere。Youaretogotoyourrooms，"sheadded，glancingattheclock，"andbetweenfiveandsixo\'clockthiseveningyouwillberunguponthetelephone。Arendezvouswillbegivenyouforlateronto-night。

Youmusttakethemoneythereandreceivethepacket。VonBehrlingwillbedisguisedandpreparedforflight。"

Bellamy\'seyesglowed。

"Youbelievethis？"heexclaimed。

"Ibelieveit，"shereplied。"Heisgoingtodoit。Afterhehasseenyou，hewillmakehiswaytoPlymouth。Ihavepromised-don\'tlookatme，David-Ihavepromisedtojoinhimthere。"

Bellamywasgrave。

"Therewillbetrouble，"hesaid。"Hewillcomeback。Hewillwanttoshootyou。Hemaybeslow-wittedinsomethings，butheispassionate。"

"AmIacoward？"sheasked，withascornfullaugh。"HaveIevershownfearofmylife？No，David！ItisnotthatofwhichIamafraid。Itisthememoryoftheman\'stouch，itisthelookwhichwasinyourfacewhenyoucameintotheroom。ThesearethethingsIfear-notdeath。"

Bellamydrewherintohisarmsandkissedher。

"Forgiveme，"hebegged。"Atsuchtimesamanisaweakthing-aweakandselfishthing。Iamashamedofmyself。Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantohavedoubtedyouforamoment。Iknowyousowell，Louise。Iknowwhatyouare。"

Shesmiled。

"Dear，"shesaid，"youhavemademehappy。Andnowyoumustgoaway。

Rememberthatthesefewminutesareonlyaninterlude。OverhereI

amMademoiselleIdialewhosingsto-nightatCoventGarden。Seemyroses。Therearetworoomsfullofreportersandphotographersintheplacenow。Theleaderoftheorchestraisinmybedroom，andtwoofthedirectorsaredrinkingwhiskiesandsodaswiththisnewmanagerofmineinthedining-room。Betweenfiveandsixo\'clockthisafternoonyouwillgetthemessage。Itissomewhere，Ithink，inthecitythatyouwillhavetogo。Therewillbenotroubleaboutthemoney？Nothingbutnotesorgoldwillbeofanyuse。"

"Ihaveitinmypocket，"heanswered。"Ihaveitinnotes，butheneedneverfearthattheywillbetraced。ThenumbersofnotesgivenforSecretServicepurposesareexpungedfromeveryone\'smemory。"

Shedrewalittlesigh。

"Itisagreatsum，"shesaid。"Afterall，heshouldbegratefultome。IfonlyhewouldbesensibleandgetawaytotheUnitedStatesortoSouthAmerica！Hecouldlivetherelikeaprince，poorfellow。Hewouldbefarhappier。"

"Ionlyhopethathewillgo，"Bellamyagreed。"Thereisonethingtoberemembered。Ifhedoesnotgo，ifhestaysfortwenty-fourhoursinthiscountry，Idonotbelievethathewilllivetodoyouharm。Themenwhoarewithhimarenotthesorttostopshortattrifles。BesidesStreussandKahn，theyhavearegulararmyofspiesattheirbiddinghere。Iftheyfindoutthathehastrickedthem，theywillhunthimdown，andbeforelong。"

Louiseshivered。

"Oh，Ihope，"sheexclaimed，"thathegetsaway！Heisatraitor，ofcourse，butheisatraitortoahatefulcause，and，afterall，Ithinkitislessforthemoneythanformysakethathedoesit。

Thatsoundsveryconceited，Isuppose，"sheadded，withafaintsmile。"Ah！well，yousee，forfiveyearssomanyhavebeentryingtoturnmyhead。NowonderifIbegintobelievesomeoftheirstories。David，Imustgo。ImustnotkeepDr。Henschellwaitinganylonger。"

"To-morrow，"hesaid，"to-morrowearlyIshallcome。IamafraidIshallmissyourfirstappearanceinEngland，Louise。"

Thesoundofaviolincamefloatingoutfromtheinnerroom。

"Thatismysignal，"shedeclaredsmiling。"De。HenschellwasalmostbesidehimselfthatIcameaway。Icome，Doctor，"shecalledout。"David，goodfortune！"sheadded，givinghimherhands。"Nowgo，dear。"

CHAPTERVIII

THEHANDOFMISFORTUNE

Betweenthetwomen，seatedoppositeeachotherinthelargebutsomewhatbarelyfurnishedoffice，theradicaldifferences，bothinappearanceandmannerisms，perhaps，also，indisposition，hadneverbeenmorestronglyevident。Theywerepartnersinbusinessandfacetofacewithruin。StephenLaverick，seniormemberofthefirm，althoughanairofsteadfastgloomhadsettleduponhisclean-cut，powerfulcountenance，retainedevenindespairsomethingofthatdoggedcomposure，temperamentalandwhollyBritish，whichhadservedhimwellalongtheroadtofortune。ArthurMorrison，themanwhosatontheothersideofthetable，aJewtohisfinger-tipsnotwithstandinghisalteredname，satlikeabrokenthing，withtearsinhisterrifiedeyes，disorderedhair，andparchment-paleface。Wordshadflownfromhislipsinacontinualstream。Heflounderedinhismisery，sobbedaboutitlikeachild。Thehandofmisfortunehadstrippedhimnaked，andoneman，atleast，sawhimashereallywas。

"Ican\'tstandit，Laverick，-Icouldn\'tfacethemall。It\'stoocruel-toohorrible！Eighteenthousandpoundsgoneinoneweek，fortythousandinamonth！Fortythousandpounds！Oh，myGod！"

Hewrithedinagony。Themanontheothersideofthetablesaidnothing。

"Ifwecouldonlyhaveheldonalittlelonger！\'Unions\'mustturn！

Theywillturn！Laverick，haveyoutriedallyourfriends？Think！

Haveyoutriedthemall？Twentythousandpoundswouldseeusthroughit。Weshouldgetourownmoneyback-Iamsureofit。There\'sRendell，Laverick。He\'ddoanythingforyou。You\'realwaysshootingorplayingcricketwithhim。Haveyouaskedhim，Laverick？He\'dnevermissthemoney。"

"YouandIseethingsdifferently，Morrison，"Laverickanswered。

"Nothingwouldinducemetoborrowmoneyfromafriend。"

"Butatatimelikethis，"Morrisonpleadedpassionately。"Everyonedoesitsometimes。He\'dbegladtohelpyou。Iknowhewould。

Haveyoueverthoughtwhatitwillbelike，Laverick，tobehammered？"

"Ihave，"Laverickadmittedwearily。"Godknowsitseemsasterribleathingtomeasitcantoyou！Butifwegodown，wemustgodownwithcleanhands。I\'venofaithinyourinfernalmarket，andnotonepennywillIborrowfromafriend。"

TheJew\'sfacewasalmostpiteous。Hestretchedhimselfacrossthetable。Thereweregenuinetearsinhiseyes。

"Laverick，"hesaid，"oldman，you\'rewrong。IknowyouthinkI\'vebeenledaway。I\'vetakenyououtofourdepth，buttheonlytroublehasbeenthatwehaven\'thadenoughcapital，andnobacking。

Thosewhostandupwillwin。Theywillmakemoney。"

"Unfortunately，"Laverickremarked，"wecannotstandup。PleaseunderstandthatIwillnotdiscussthismatterwithyouinanyway。

IwillnotborrowmoneyfromRendelloranyfriend。IhaveaskedthebankandIhaveaskedPages，whowillbeourlargestcreditors。

Tohelpuswouldsimplybeabusinessproposition，sofarastheyareconcerned。Asyouknow，theyhaverefused。Ifyouseeanyhopeinthatdirection，whydon\'tyoutrysomeofyourownfriends？ForeveryonemanIknowintheHouse，youhaveseemedtobebosomfriendswithatleasttwenty。"

Morrisongroaned。

"ThoseIknowarenotthatsortoffriend，"heanswered。"Theywilldrinkwithyouandspendanightoutoraweek-endatBrighton，buttheydonotlendmoney。Iftheywould，doyouthinkIwouldmindasking？Why，Iwouldgoonmykneestoanymanwhowouldlendusthemoney。Iwouldevenkisshisfeet。Icannotbearit，Laverick！

Icannot！Icannot！"

Lavericksaidnothing。Wordswereuselessthings，wasteduponsuchacreature。Heeyedhispartnerwithacontemptwhichhetooknopainstoconceal。This，then，wasthesmartyoungfellowrecommendedtohimonallsides，afewyearsago，asoneoftheshrewdestyoungmeninhisownparticulardepartment，apersonboundtosucceed，amoney-makerifevertherewasone！Laverickthoughtofhimasheappearedattheofficedaybyday，glossyandimmaculatelydressed，withaflowerinhisbuttonhole，bootsthatwereatrifletooshiny，hatandcoat，glovesandmanner，allimitationbutallveryneartherealthing。Whatacollapse！

"You\'regoingtostayandseeitthrough？"hewhinedacrossthetable。

"Certainly，"Laverickanswered。

Theyoungmanburiedhisfaceinhishands。

"Ican\'t！Ican\'t！"hemoaned。"Icouldn\'tbearseeingallthefellows，hearingthemwhisperthings-oh，Lord！Oh，Lord！……

Laverick，we\'veafewhundredsleft。Givemesomethingandletmeoutofit。You\'reastrongersortofmanthanIam。Youcanfaceit，-Ican\'t！Givemeenoughtogetabroadwith，andifeverI

doanygoodI\'llrememberit，Iwillindeed。"

Laverickwassilentforamoment。Hiscompanionwatchedhisfaceeagerly。Afterall，whynotlethimgo？Hewasnohelp，nocomfort。

Theverysightofhimwascontemptible。

"Ihavepaidnomoneyintothebankforseveraldays，"Lavericksaidslowly。"Whentheyrefusedtohelpus，itwas，ofcourse，obviousthattheyguessedhowthingswere。"

"Quiteright，quiteright！"theyoungmaninterruptedfeverishly。

"Theywouldhavestucktoitagainsttheoverdraft。Howmuchhavewegotinthesafe？"

"Thisafternoon，"Laverickcontinued，"Ichangedallourcheques。

Youcancounttheproceedsforyourself。Thereare，Ithink，elevenhundredpounds。Youcantaketwohundredandfifty，andyoucantakethemwithyou-toanyplaceyoulike。"

Theyoungmanwasalreadyatthesafe。Thenoteswerebetweenthem，onthetable。Hecountedquicklywiththefingersofabornmanipulatorofmoney。Whenhehadgathereduptwohundredandfiftypounds，Laverick\'shandfelluponhis。

"Nomore，"heorderedsternly。

"But，mydearfellow，"Morrisonprotested，"halfofelevenhundredisfivehundredandfifty。Whyshouldwenotgohalves？Thatisonlyfair，Laverick。Itislittleenough。Weoughttohavehadagreatdealmore。"

Laverickpushedhimcontemptuouslyawayandlockeduptheremainderofthenotes。

"Iamlettingyoutaketwohundredandfiftypoundsofthismoney，"

hesaid，"forvariousreasons。Forone，Icanbearthisthingbetteralone。Asfortherestofthemoney，itremainstherefortheaccountantwholiquidatesouraffairs。Idonotproposetotouchapennyofit。"

Theyoungmanbuttoneduphiscoatwithanhystericallittlelaugh。

Suchwayswerenothisways。Theywerenot，indeed，withinthelimitofhisunderstanding。Butofhispartnerhehadlearnedonething，atleast。ThewordofStephenLaverickwasthewordoftruth。

Heshambledtowardthedoor。Onthewhole，hewasluckytohavegotthetwohundredandfiftypounds。

"Solong，Laverick，"hesaidfromthedoor。"I\'m-I\'msorry。"

Itwascharacteristicofhimthathedidnotventuretoofferhishand。Lavericknodded，notunkindly。Afterall，thisyoungmanwasashehadbeenmade。

"Iwishyougoodluck，Morrison，"hesaid。"TrySouthAfrica。"

CHAPTERIX

ROBBINGTHEDEAD

Theroarofthedaywaslongsinceover。Therattleofvehicles，thetinklingofhansombells，thetootingofhornsfrommotor-carsandcabs，theceaselesstrampoffootsteps，allhaddiedaway。

Outside，thestreetswerealmostdeserted。Anoccasionalwayfarerpassedalongtheflaggedpavementwithspeedyfootsteps。Hereandthereafewlightsglimmeredatthewindowsofsomeofthelargerblocksofoffices。Thebustleofthedaywasfinished。ThereisnoplaceinLondonsostrangelyquietasthenarrowthoroughfaresofthecityproperwhenthehourapproachesmidnight。

Laverick，whosincehispartner\'sdeparturehadbeenstudyingwithinfinitecarehisprivateledger，closeditatlastwithalittlesnapandleanedbackinhischair。Afterall，savethathehadgotridofMorrison，ithadbeenawastedevening。Notevenhe，whosefinancialastutenessnomanhadeverquestioned，couldraisefromthosepilesoffiguresanyotheranswersavetheoneinevitableone，theknowledgeofwhichhadbeenlikeablacknightmarestalkingbyhissideforthelastthirty-sixhours。Onebyoneduringtheeveninghisclerkshadlefthim，anditwasaproofnotonlyofhiswonderfulself-controlbutalsooftheconfidencewhichheinvariablyinspired，thatnotasingleoneofthemhadtheslightestideahowthingswere。NotasoulknewthatthefirmofLaverick&Morrisonwasalreadypracticallyderelict，thattheyhadonthemorrowtwenty-fivethousandpoundstofind，neithercreditnorbalanceattheirbankers，andeighthundredandfiftypoundsinthesafe。

Laverick，haggardfromhislongvigil，lockeduphisbooksatlast，turnedoutthelights，andlockingthedoorsbehindhimwalkedintothesilentstreet。Instinctivelyheturnedhisstepswestwards。

Thismightwellbethelastnightonwhichhewouldcaretoshowhimselfinhisaccustomedhaunts，thelastnightonwhichhecouldmixwithhisfellowsfreely，andwithoutthatterriblesenseofconsciousnesswhichfollowsupondisaster。Alreadytherewaslittleenoughleftofit。Itwastoolatetochangeandgotohisclub。

Theplacesofamusementwerealreadyclosed。To-morrownight，bothclubandtheatreswouldlieoutsidehisworld。Hewalkedslowly，yethehadscarcelytaken，infact，adozenstepswhen，withapurelymechanicalimpulse，hepausedbyastone-flaggedentrytolightacigarette。Itwasapassage，almostatunnelforafewyards，leadingtoanopenspace，ononesideofwhichwasanoldchurchyard-strangesurvivalinsuchapart-andontheothertheofficesofseveralfirmsofstockbrokers，aRussianbanker，anactuary。Itwasthebarestofimpulseswhichledhimtoglanceuptheentrybeforeheblewoutthematch。Thenhegaveaquickstartandbecameforamomentparalyzed。Withinafewfeetofhimsomethingwaslyingontheground-adarkmass，blackandsoft-

thebodyofaman，perhaps。Justaboveit，apairofeyesgleamedathimthroughthe，semi-darkness。

Laverickatfirsthadnothoughtoftragedy。Itmightbeatramporadrunkard，perhaps，-afight，oramantakenill。Thensomethingsinisteraboutthelightofthoseburningeyessethisheartbeatingfaster。Hestruckanothermatchwithfirmfingers，andbentforward。Whathesawuponthegroundmadehimfeelalittlesick。Whathesawracingawaydownthepassagepromptedhimtoswiftpursuit。Downthearchedcourtintotheopenspaceheran，himselfanathlete，butmockedbytheswiftnessoftheshadowlikeformwhichhepursued。Attheendwasanotherstreet-empty。Helookedupanddown，seekinginvainforanysignsoflife。Therewasnothingtotellhimwhichwaytoturn。Oppositewasaverylabyrinthofcourtsandturnings。Therewasnoteventhesoundofafootfalltoguidehim。Slowlyheretracedhissteps，litanothermatch，andleanedovertheprostratefigure。Thenheknewthatitwasatragedyindeeduponwhichhehadstumbled。

Themanwasdead，andhehadmetwithhisdeathbyunusualmeans。

ThesewerethefirsttwothingsofwhichLaverickassuredhimself。

Withoutanydoubt，asavageandaterriblecrimehadbeencommitted。

Ahornhandledknifeofunusuallengthhadbeendrivenuptothehiltthroughtheheartofthemurderedman。Therehadbeenotherblows，notablyaboutthehead。Therewasnotmuchblood，butthepositionoftheknifealonetolditsuglystory。Laverick，thoughhisnerveswereofthestrongest，felthisheadswimashelooked。Herosetohisfeetandwalkedtotheopeningofthepassage，gasping。Thestreetwasnolongerempty。

Aboutthirtyyardsaway，lookingwestwards，amanwasstandinginthemiddleoftheroad。Thelightfromthelamp-postescapedhisface。Laverickcouldonlyseethathewasslim，ofmediumheight，dressedindarkclothes，withhishandsinthepocketsofhisovercoat。Toallappearance，hewaswatchingtheentry。Lavericktookasteptowardshim-themanasdeliberatelytookastepfurtheraway。Laverickhelduphishand。

"Hullo！"hecalledout，andbeckoned。

Thepersonaddressedtooknonotice。Laverickadvancedanothertwoorthreesteps-themanretreatedasimilardistance。Laverickchangedhistacticsandmadeasuddenspringforward。Themanhesitatednolonger-heturnedandranasthoughforhislife。Inafewminuteshewasroundthecornerofthestreetandoutofsight。

Laverickreturnedslowlytotheentry。

Adistantclockstruckmidnight。Acoupleofclerkscamealongthepavementontheotherside，theirhandsandarmsfullofletters。

Laverickhesitated。Hewasneverafterwardsabletoaccountfortheimpulsewhichpreventedhiscallingouttothem。Insteadhelurkedintheshadowsandwatchedthemgoby。Whenhewassurethattheyhaddisappeared，hebentoncemoreoverthebodyofthemurderedman。Alreadythathuddled-upheapwasbeginningtoexerciseanamelessandterriblefascinationforhim。Hisfirstfeelingsofhorrorwereminglednowwithaninsatiablecuriosity。Whatmannerofmanwashe？Hewastallandstronglybuilt；fair-ofalmostfloridcomplexion。Hisclotheswereveryshabbyandapparentlyready-made。Hismoustachewasupturned，andhishairwastrimmedcloserthanisthecustomamongstEnglishmen。Laverickstoopedlowerandloweruntilhefoundhimselfalmostonhisknees。Therewassomethingprojectingfromtheman\'spocketasthoughithadbeenhalfsnatchedout-alargeportfolioofbrownleather，almostthesizeofasatchel。Laverickdrewitout，holdingitinonehandwhilstwithfirmfingershestruckanothermatch。Then，forthefirsttime，alittlecrybrokefromhislips。Bothsidesofthepocket-bookwerefilledwithbank-notes。Ashismatchflickeredout，hecaughtaglimpseofthefiguresintheleft-handcorner-

500pounds！-greatrollsofthem！Laverickrosegaspingtohisfeet。ItwasanewArabianNights，this！-adream！-acontinuationofthenightmarewhichhadthreatenedhimallday！

Orwasit，perhaps，themadnesscoming-themadnesswhichhehadbegunonlyanhourorsoagotofear！

Hewalkedintothegaslitstreetsandlookedupanddown。Themysteriousstrangerhadvanished。Therewasnotasoulinsight。

Heclutchedtheroughstonewallwithhishands，hekickedthepavementwithhisheels。Therewasnodoubtaboutit-everythingaroundhimwasreal。Mostrealofallwasthefactthatwithinafewfeetofhimlayamurderedman，andthatinhishandswasthatbrownleatherpocket-bookwithitsmiraculouscontents。ForthelasttimeLaverickretracedhisstepsandbentoverthathuddled-upshape。Onebyonehewentthroughtheotherpockets。TherewasapacketofRussiancigarettes；anemptycard-caseofchasedsilver，andobviouslyofforeignworkmanship；acigaretteholderstainedwithmuchuse，butofthefinestamber，withrichgoldmountings。

Therewasnothingelseuponthedeadman，nomeansofidentificationofanysort。Laverickstoodup，giddy，halfterrifiedwiththethoughtsthatwenttearingthroughhisbrain。Thepocket-bookbegantoburnhishand；hefelttheperspirationbreakingoutanewuponhisforehead。Yetheneverhesitated。Hewalkedlikeamaninadream，buthisfootstepsweresteadyandshort。Deliberately，andwithoutanysignofhurry，hemadehiswaytowardshisoffices。Ifapolicemanhadcomeinsightupordownthestreet，hehaddecidedtocallhimandtoacquainthimwithwhathadhappened。Itwastheonechanceheheldagainsthimself，-thegambler\'smethodofdecision，perhaps，unconsciouslyarrivedat。Asitturnedout，therewasstillnotasoulinsight。Laverickopenedtheouterdoorwithhislatchkey，lethimselfinandclosedit。Thenhegropedhiswaythroughtheclerk\'sofficeintohisownroom，switchedontheelectriclightandoncemoresatdownbeforehisdesk。

Hedrewhisshadedwritinglamptowardshimandlookedaroundwithanervousnesswhollyunfamiliar。Thenheopenedthepocket-book，drewouttherollofbank-notesandcountedthem。Itwascuriousthathefeltnosurpriseattheirvalue。Bank-notesforfivehundredpoundsarenotexactlycommon，andyetheproceededwithhistaskwithouttheslightestinstinctofsurprise。Thenheleanedbackinhischair。TwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes！

Theretheylayonthetablebeforehim。Amanhaddiedfortheirsake，-anothermustgothroughallthedayswiththepriceofblooduponhishead-amurderer-ahauntedcreaturefortherestofhislife。Andthereonthetablewerethespoils。Lavericktriedtothinkthematteroutdispassionately。Hewasamanofaveragemoralfibre-thatistosay，hewashonestinhisdealingswithothermenbecausehisfatherandhisgrandfatherbeforehimhadbeenhonest，andbecausethepenaltyfordishonestywasshameful。Here，however，hewasfacetofacewithanaltogetherunusualproblem。

Thesenotesbelonged，withoutadoubt，tothedeadman。Saveforhisowninterference，theywouldhavebeeninthehandsofhismurderer。Theuseofthemforafewdayscoulddonooneanyharm。

Suchriskastherewashetookhimself。Thatitwasariskheknewandfullyrealized。Laverickhadsatinhisplaceunmovedwhenhispartnerhadpouredouthiswailoffearandmisery。YetofthetwomenitwasprobablethatLaverickhimselfhadfelttheirpositionthemorekeenly。Hewasamanofsomesocialstanding，withalargecircleoffriends；asportsman，andwithmanyinterestsoutsidethedailyroutineofhiscitylife。Tohimfailuremeantmorethanthelossofmoney；itwouldrobhimofeverythinginlifeworthhaving。Thedaystocomehadbeenemptiedofallpromise。

Hehadheldhimselfstubbornlybecausehewasaman，becausehehadstrengthenoughtorefusetolethisminddwellupontheindignitiesandhumiliationtocome。Andherebeforehimwaspossiblesalvation。

Therewasapricetobepaid，ofcourse，arisktoberuninmakinguseevenforanhourofthismoney。Yetfromthefirsthehadknownthathemeanttodoit。

Quitecoolnow，heopenedhisprivatesafe，thrustthepocket-bookintooneofthedrawers，andlockeditup。Thenhelitacigarette，finallyshutuptheofficeandwalkeddownthestreet。Ashepassedtheentryheturnedhisheadslowly。Apparentlynoonehadbeenthere，nothinghadbeendisturbed。Straininghiseyesthroughthedarkness，hecouldevenseethatdarkshapestilllyinghuddledupontheground。Thenhewalkedon。Hehadburnedhisboatsnowandwaspreparedforallemergencies。Atthecornerhemetapoliceman，towhomhewishedacheerygood-night。Hetoldhimselfthatthethingwhichhehaddonewasforthebest。Heowedittohimself。

Heowedittothosewhohadtrustedhim。Afterall，itwasthechiefpartofhislife-hiscitycareer。Itwasherethathisfriendslived。Itwasherethathisambitionsflourished。Disgraceherewaseternaldisgrace。Hisfatherandhisgrandfatherbeforehimhadbeenmenhonoredandrespectedinthissamecircle。Disgracetohim，suchdisgraceasthatwithwhichhehadstoodfacetofaceafewhoursago，wouldhavebeen，inacertainsense，areflectionupontheirmemories。Thenamesuponthebrassplatestorightandtoleftofhimwerethenamesofmenheknew，menwithwhomhedesiredtostandwell，whosefriendshiporcontemptmadelifeworthlivingorthereverse。Itwasworthagreatrisk-thiseffortofhistokeephisplace。Hisonemistake-thisassociationwithMorrison-hadbeensuchanunparalleledstrokeofbadluck。Hewasridofthefellownow。Forthefuturethereshouldbenomorepartners。Hehadhislifetolive。Itwasnotreasonablethatheshouldallowhimselftobedraggeddownintothemirebysuchacreature。HefoundanemptytaxicabatthecornerofQueenVictoriaStreet，andhailedit。

"WhitehallCourt，"hetoldthedriver。

CHAPTERX

BELLAMYISOUTWITTED

Bellamywasamanusedtoallhazards，whosesupremeeffortoflifeitwastomeetsuccessanddisasterwithunvaryingmien。Butthiswasdisastertooappallingevenforhisself-control。Hefelthiskneesshakesothathecaughtattheedgeofthetablebeforewhichhewasstanding。Therewasnopossibledoubtaboutit，hehadbeentricked。VonBehrling，afterall，-VonBehrling，whomhehadlookeduponmerelyasastupid，infatuatedAustrian，readytosellhiscountryforthesakeofawoman，hadfooledhimutterly！

Themanwhosatattheheadofthetable-theonlyotheroccupantoftheroom-wasinCourtdress，withmanyordersuponhiscoat。

HehadjustbeenattendingaCourtfunction，fromwhichBellamy\'smessagehadsummonedhim。Beforehimonthetablewasanenvelope，hastilytornopen，andseveralsheetsofblankpaper。ItwasuponthesethatBellamy\'seyeswerefixedwithanexpressionofmingledhorrorandamazement。TheCabinetMinisterhadalreadypushedthemawaywithalittlegestureofcontempt。

"Bellamy，"hesaidgravely，"itisnotlikeyoutomakesoseriousanerror。

"Ihopenot，sir，"Bellamyanswered。"I-yes，Ihavebeendeceived。"

TheMinisterglancedattheclock。

"Whatistobedone？"heasked。

Bellamy，withaneffort，pulledhimselftogether。Hecaughtuptheenvelope，lookedoncemoreinside，helduptheblanksheetsofpapertothelampandlaidthemdown。Thenwithclenchedfistshewalkedtotheothersideoftheroomandreturned。Hewashimselfagain。

"SirJames，IwillnotwasteyourtimebysayingthatIamsorry。

OnlyanhouragoImetVonBehrlinginalittlerestaurantinthecity，andgavehimtwentythousandpoundsforthatenvelope。"

"Youpaidhimthemoney，"theMinisterremarkedslowly，"withoutopeningtheenvelope。"

Bellamyadmittedit。

"Insuchtransactionsasthese，"hedeclared，"greatrisksarealmostinevitable。Itookwhatmustseemtoyounowtobeanabsurdrisk。Totellyouthehonesttruth，sir，andIhavehadexperienceinthesethings，IthoughtitnoriskatallwhenIhandedoverthemoney。VonBehrlingwasthereindisguise。Themenwithwhomhecametothiscountryarefuriouswithhim。Toallappearance，heseemedtohavebrokenwiththemabsolutely。Evennow-

"Well？"

"Evennow，"Bellamysaidslowly，withhiseyesfixeduponthewalloftheroom，andadawninglightgrowingstrongereverymomentinhisface，"evennowIbelievethatVonBehrlingmadeamistake。AnenvelopesuchasthishadbeenarrangedforhimtoshowtheothersorleaveattheAustrianEmbassyincaseofemergency。Hehaditwithhiminhispocket-book。Heeventoldmeso。GodinHeaven，hegavemethewrongone！"

TheMinisterglancedoncemoreattheclock。

"Inthatcase，"hesaid，"perhapshewouldnotgototheEmbassyto-night，especiallyifhewasindisguise。Youmaystillbeabletofindhimandrepairtheerror。

"Iwilltry，"answeredBellamy。"ThankHeaven！"headded，withasuddengleamofsatisfaction，"mywatchersarestilldogginghisfootsteps。Icanfindoutbeforemorningwherehewentwhenheleftourrendezvous。Thereisanotherway，too。Mademoiselle-

thismanVonBehrlingbelievedthatshewasleavingthecountrywithhim。Shewastohavehadamessagewithinthenextfewhours。

TheMinisternoddedthoughtfully。

"Bellamy，Ihavebeenyourfriendandyouhavedoneusgoodserviceoften。TheSecretServiceestimates，asyouknow，areabovesupervision，buttwentythousandpoundsisagreatdealofmoneytohavepaidforthis。"

Hetouchedthesheetsofblankpaperwithhisforefinger。Bellamy\'steethwereclenched。

"Themoneyshallbereturned，sir。

"Donotmisunderstandme，"SirJameswenton，speakingalittlemorekindly。"Themoney，afterall，incomparisonwithwhatitwasdestinedtopurchase，isnothing。Wemightevencountitafairriskifitwaslost。"

"Itshallnotbelost，"Bellamypromised。"IfVonBehrlinghasplayedthetraitortous，thenhewillgobacktohiscountry。Inthatcase，Iwillhavethemoneyfromhimwithoutadoubt。If，ontheotherhand，hewashonesttousandatraitortohiscountry，asIfirmlybelieve，itmaynotyetbetoolate。"

"Letushopenot，"SirJamesdeclared。"Bellamy，"hecontinued，anoteofagitationtremblinginhistone，"Ineednottellyou，I

amsure，howimportantthismatteris。Youworklikeamoleinthedark，yetyouhavebrains，-youunderstand。Letmetellyouhowthingsarewithus。Acertainamountofconfidenceisduetoyou，iftoanyone。ImaytellyouthatattheCabinetCouncilto-dayaveryserioustoneprevailed。WedonotunderstandintheleasttheattitudeofseveraloftheEuropeanPowers。Itcanbeunderstoodonlyundercertainassumptions。AnoteofourssentthroughtheAmbassadortoViennahasremainedunansweredfortwodays。TheGermanAmbassadorhasleftunexpectedlyforBerlinonurgentbusiness。Wehavejustheard，too，thatasecretmissionfromRussialeftSt。PetersburglastnightforParis。Sidebysidewithallthis，"SirJamescontinued，"theCzaristryingtoevadehispromisedvisithere。Thenotewehavereceivedspeaksofhishealth。Well，weknowallaboutthat。Weknow，Imaytellyou，thathishealthhasneverbeenbetterthanatthepresentmoment。"

"Itallmeansonethingandonethingonly，"Bellamyaffirmed。"InViennaandBerlinto-daytheylookatanEnglishmanandsmile。Eventhemaninthestreetseemstoknowwhatiscoming。"

SirJamesleanedalittlebackinhisseat。Hishandsweretightlyclenched，andtherewasafiercelightinhisholloweyes。Thosewhowereintimatewithhimknewthathehadagedmanyyearsduringthelastfewweeks。

"Thecruelpartis，"hesaidsoftly，"thatitshouldhavecomeinmyadministration，whenfortenyearsIhaveprayedfromtheOppositionbenchesfortheonethingwhichwouldhavemadeussafeto-day。"

"Anarmy，"murmuredBellamy。

"Thedaysarecoming，"SirJamescontinued，"whenthosewhopratedofmilitarismandthesecurityofourislandwallswillseewiththeirowneyestheruintheyhavebroughtuponus。Secretlywearemobilizingallthatwehavetomobilize，"headded，withalittlesigh。"Attheverybest，however，ourpositionispitiful。Evenifwearepreparedtodefend，IamafraidthatweshallseethingsontheContinentinwhichweshallbedriventointerfere，orelsesufferthegreatestblowwhichourprestigehaseverknown。Ifwecouldonlytellwhatwascoming！"hewoundup，lookingoncemoreatthoseemptysheetsofpaper。"Itisthisdarknesswhichissoalarming！"

Bellamyturnedtowardthedoor。

"Youhavethetelephoneinyourbedroom，sir？"heasked。

"Yes，ringmeupatanytimeinthenightormorning，ifyouhavenews。"

BellamydroveatoncetoDoverStreet。Itwashalf-pastone，buthehadnofearofnotbeingadmitted。Louise\'sFrenchmaidansweredthebell。

"Madamehasnotretired？"Bellamyinquired。

"Butno，sir，"thewomanassuredhim，withawelcomingsmile。"Itisonlyafewminutesagothatshehasreturned。"

Bellamywasusheredatonceintoherroom。Shewasgorgeousinbluesatinandpearls。Herothermaidwastakingoffherjewels。Shedismissedboththewomenabruptly。

"Iabsolutelycouldn\'tavoidasupper-party，"shesaid，holdingoutherhands。"Youexpectedthat，ofcourse。YouwerenotattheOperaHouse？"

Heshookhishead，andwalkingtothedoortriedthehandle。Itwassecurelyclosed。Hecamebackslowlytoherside。Hereyeswerequestioninghimfiercely。

"Well？"sheexclaimed。"Well？"

"HaveyouheardfromVonBehrling？"

"No，"sheanswered。"HeknewthatImustsingto-night。IhavebeenexpectinghimtotelephoneeverymomentsinceIgothome。Youhaveseenhim？"

"Ihaveseenhim，"Bellamyadmitted。"Eitherhehasdeceivedusboth，orthemostunfortunatemistakeintheworldhashappened。

Listen。Imethimwhereheappointed。Hewasthere，disguised，almostunrecognizable。Hewasnervousanddesperate；hehadtheairofamanwhohascuthimselfadriftfromtheworld。Igavehimthemoney，-twentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes，Louise，-andhegavemethepapers，orwhatwethoughtwerethepapers。

Hetoldmethathewaskeepingafalseduplicateuponhimforalittletime，incasehewasseized，butthathewasgoingtoLiverpoolStreetstationtowait，andwouldtelephoneyoufromthehoteltherelateron。Youhavenotheardyet，then？"

Sheshookherhead。

"Therehasbeennomessage，butgoon。"

"Hegavemethewrongdocument-thewrongenvelope，"continuedBellamy。"WhenItookitto-toDowningStreet，itwasfullofblankpaper。"

Thecolorslowlylefthercheeks。Shelookedathimwithhorrorinherface。

"Doyouthinkthathemeanttodoit？"sheexclaimed。

"Wecannottell，"Bellamyanswered。"Myownimpressionisthathedidnot。Wemustfindoutatoncewhathasbecomeofhim。Hemighteven，ifhefancieshimselfsafe，destroytheenvelopehehas，believingittobetheduplicate。Heissuretotelephoneyou。Themomentyouhearyoumustletmeknow。"

"Youhadbetterstayhere，"shedeclared。"Thereareplentyofrooms。Youwillbeonthespotthen。"

Bellamyshookhishead。

"ThejokeofitisthatI，too，ambeingwatchedwhereeverIgo。

ThatfellowStreusshasspieseverywhere。ThatisonereasonwhyIbelievethatVonBehrlingwasserious。

"Oh，hewasserious！"Louiserepeated。

"Youaresure？"Bellamyasked。"Youhaveneverhadevenanydoubtabouthim？"

"Never，"sheansweredfirmly。"David，Ihadnotmeanttotellyouthis。YouknowthatIsawhimforamomentthismorning。Hewasindeadlyearnest。Hegavemearing-atrifle-butithadbelongedtohismother。Hewouldnothavedonethisifhehadbeenplayingusfalse。"

Bellamysprangtohisfeet。

"Youareright，Louise！"heexclaimed。"Ishallgobacktomyroomsatonce。Fortunately，IhadamanshadowingVonBehrling，andtheremaybeareportforme。Ifanythingcomeshere，youwilltelephoneatonce？"

"Ofcourse，"sheassented。

"Youdonotthinkitpossible，"heaskedslowly，"thathewouldattempttoseeyouhere？"

Louiseshudderedforamoment。

"Iabsolutelyforbadeit，soIamsurethereisnochanceofthat。"

"Verywell，then，"hedecided，"wewillwait。Dear，"headded，inanalteredtone，"howsplendidyoulook！"

Herfacesuddenlysoftened。

"Ah，David！"shemurmured，"tohearyouspeaknaturallyevenforamoment-itmakeseverythingseemsodifferent！"