第3章

Heheldouthisarmsandshecametohimwithalittlesighofsatisfaction。

"Louise，"hesaid，"somedaythetimemaycomewhenweshallbeabletogiveupthislifeofanxietyandterrors。Butitcannotbeyet-notforyourcountry\'ssakeormine。

Shekissedhimfondly。

"Solongasthereishope！"shewhispered。

CHAPTERXI

VONBEHRLING\'SFATE

ItseemedtoLouisethatshehadscarcelybeeninbedanhourwhenthemoreconfidentialofhermaids-Annette，theFrenchwoman-wokeherwithalighttouchofthearm。Shesatupinbedsleepily。

"Whatisit，Annette？"sheasked。"Surelyitisnotmid-dayyet？

Whydoyoudisturbme？"

"Itisbarelynineo\'clock，Mademoiselle，butMonsieurBellamy-

Mademoiselletoldmethatshewishedtoreceivehimwheneverhecame。

Heisintheboudoirnow，andveryimpatient。"

"Didhesendanymessage？"

"Onlythathisbusinesswasofthemosturgent，"themaidreplied。

Louisesighed，-shewasreallyverysleepy。Then，asthethoughtsbegantocrowdintoherbrain，shebeganalsotoremember。Somepartoftheexcitementofafewhoursagoreturned。

"Mybath，Annette，andadressing-gown，"sheordered。"TellMonsieurBellamythatIhurry。Iwillbewithhimintwentyminutes。"

ToBellamy，thetwentyminuteswereminutesofpurgatory。Shecameatlast，however，freshandeager；herhairtiedupwithribbon，sheherselfcladinapinkdressing-gownandpinkslippers。

"David！"shecried，-"mydearDavid-！"

Thenshebrokeoff。

"Whatisit？"sheasked，inadifferenttone。

Heshowedhertheheadlinesofthenewspaperhewascarrying。

"Tragedy！"heansweredhoarsely。"VonBehrlingwastrue，afterall，-atleast，itseemsso。"

"Whathashappened？"shedemanded。

Bellamypointedoncemoretothenewspaper。

"Hewasmurderedlastnight，withinfiftyyardsoftheplaceofourrendezvous。"

AlittleexclamationbrokefromLouise\'slips。Shesatdownsuddenly。Thecolorcalledintohercheeksbytheexerciseofherbathwasrapidlyfadingaway。

"David，"shemurmured，"isthistrue？"

"Itisindeed，"Bellamyassuredher。"Notonlythat，butthereisnomentionofhispocket-bookintheaccountofhismurder。ItmusthavebeenengineeredbyStreussandtheothers，andtheyhavegotawaywiththepocket-bookandthemoney。"

"Whatcanwedo？"sheasked。

"Thereisnothingtobedone，"Bellamydeclaredcalmly。"Wearedefeated。Thethingisquiteapparent。VonBehrlingneversucceeded，afterall，inshakingofftheespionageofthemenwhowerewatchinghim。Theytrackedhimtoourrendezvous，theywaitedaboutwhileImethim。Afterwards，hehadtopassalonganarrowpassage。Itwastherethathewasfoundmurdered。"

"But，David，Idon\'tunderstand！Whydidtheywaituntilafterhehadseenyou？Howdidtheyknowthathehadnotpartedwiththepaperintherestaurant？Toallintentsandpurposesheoughttohavedoneso。"

"Icannotunderstandthatmyself，"Bellamyadmitted。"Infact，itisinexplicable。"

Shetookupthenewspaperandglancedatthereport。Then，"Youaresure，Isuppose，thatthisdoesrefertoVonBehrling？Heisquiteunidentified，yousee。"

"Thereisnodoubtaboutit，"Bellamydeclared。"IhavebeentotheMortuary。Itiscertainlyhe。Allourworkhasbeeninvain-justasIthought，too，thatwehadmadeasplendidsuccessofit。"

Shelookedathimcompassionately。

"Itishardlines，dear，"sheadmitted。"Youaretired，too。Youlookasthoughyouhadbeenupallnight。"

"Yes，Iamtired，"heanswered，sinkingintoachair。"Iamworsethantired。Thishasbeenthegrossestfailureofmycareer，andI

amafraidthatitistheendofeverything。IhavelosttwentythousandpoundsofSecretServicemoney；IhavelosttheonechancewhichmighthavesavedEngland。Theywillnevertrustmeagain。"

"Youdidyourbest，"shesaid，comingoverandsittingonthearmofhischair。"Youdidyourbest，David。"

Shelaidherhandsuponhisforehead，hercheekagainsthis-smoothandcold-exquisitelyrefreshingitseemedtohisjadednerves。

"Ah，Louise！"hemurmured，"lifeisgettingalittletoostrenuous。

Perhapswehavegiventoomuchofituptoothers。Whatdoyouthink？"

Sheshookherhead。

"Dear，Ihavefeltlikethatsometimes，yetwhatcanwedo？Couldwebehappy，youandI，inexile，ifthethingswhichwedreadwerecomingtopass？CouldIgoawayandhidewhilemycountrymenwerebeingbutcheredoutofexistence？-Andyou-youarenotthesortofmantobecontentwithanignoblepeace。No，itisn\'tpossible。

Ourworkmaynotbeoveryet-"

Therewasaknockatthedoor，andAnnetteenteredwithmanyapologies。

"Mademoiselle，"sheexplained，"athousandpardons，andtoMonsieuralso，butthereisagentlemanherewhosaysthathisbusinessisofthemosturgentimportance，andthathemustseeyouatonce。I

havedoneallthatIcan，buthewillnotgoaway。HeknowsthatMonsieurBellamyishere，too，"sheadded，turningtohim，"andhesayshisbusinesshastodowithMonsieuraswellasMademoiselle。"

Bellamyalmostsnatchedthecardfromthegirl\'sfingers。Hereadoutthenameinblankamazement。

"BarondeStreuss！"

Therewasamoment\'ssilence。Louiseandheexchangedwonderingglances。

"Whatcanthismean？"sheaskedhoarsely。

"Heavenknows！"heanswered。"Letusseehimtogether。Afterall-afterall-"

"Youcanshowthegentlemanin，Annette，"hermistressordered。

"Ifhehasthepapers，"Bellamycontinuedslowly，"whydoeshecometous？Itisnotlikethesementobevindictive。Diplomacytothemisnothing-agameofchess。Idonotunderstand。"

Thedooropened。Annetteannouncedtheirvisitor。StreussbowedlowtoLouise-hebowed，also，toBellamy。

"Ineednotintroducemyself，"hesaid。"WithMr。BellamyIhavethehonortobewellacquainted。Madameisknowntoalltheworld。"

Louisenodded，somewhatcoldly。

"Wecandispensewithanintroduction，Ithink，MonsieurleBaron，"

shesaid。"Atthesametime，youwillperhapsexplaintowhatI

owethissomewhatunexpectedpleasure？"

"Mademoiselle，anexplanationtheremustcertainlybe。Iknowthatitisanimpossiblehour。Iknow，too，thattohaveforcedmypresenceuponyouinthismannermayseemdiscourteous。Yettheurgencyofthematter，Iamconvinced，justifiesme。

Louisemotionedhimtoachair，buthedeclinedwithalittlebowofthanks。

"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，"andyou，Mr。Bellamy，weneednotwastewords。Wehaveplayedagameofchesstogether。You，Mademoiselle，andMr。Bellamyontheoneside-Iandmyfriendsupontheother。

ThehonorofRudolphVonBehrlingwasthepawnforwhichwefought。

Thevictoryremainswithyou。"

Bellamynevermovedamuscle。Louise，onthecontrary，couldnothelpaslightstart。

"Underthecircumstances，"theBaroncontinuedsmoothly，"thestrugglewasuneven。IdomyselfthejusticetorememberthatfromthefirstIrealizedthatweplayedalosinggame。Mademoiselle，"

headded，"fromthedaysofCleopatra-ay，andthroughoutthoseshadowydayswhichliebeyond-thediplomatsoftheworldhavebeenpowerlesswhenmatchedagainstyoursex。RudolphVonBehrlingwasanhonestfellowenoughuntilhelookedintoyoureyes。Mademoiselle，youhavegiftswhichmight，perhaps，havedrivenfromhissensesastrongerman。

Louisesmiled，buttherewasnosuggestionofmirthinthecurlofherlips。Hereyesallthetimesoughthisquestioningly。Shedidnotunderstand。

"Youflatterme，Baron，"shemurmured。

"No，Idonotflatteryou，Ispeakthetruth。Thisplaintalkingispleasantenoughwhenthetimecomesthatonemayindulgeinit。

Thattime，Ithink，isnow。RudolphVonBehrling，againstmyadvice，butbecausehewastheChancellor\'snephew，wasassociatedwithmeinacertainenterprise，thenatureofwhichisnosecrettoyou，Mademoiselle，ortoMr。Bellamyhere。Wefollowedamanwho，bysomestrangechance，wasinpossessionofafewsheetsoffoolscap，thecontentsofwhichwerealikepricelesstomycountryandpricelesstoyours。Thesubsequenthistoryofthosepapersshouldhavebeenautomatic。Thefirststepwasfulfilledreadilyenough。

Themandisappeared-thepaperswereours。VonBehrlingwasthemanwhosecuredthem，andVonBehrlingitwaswhoretainedthem。

Ifmyadvicehadbeenfollowed，IadmitfranklythatweshouldhaveignoredallpossiblecommentandreturnedwiththematoncetoVienna。Theothersthoughtdifferently。TheyruledthatweshouldcomeontoLondonanddepositthepacketwithourAmbassadorhere。

InaweakmomentIconsented。Itwasyouropportunity，Mademoiselle，anopportunityofwhichyouhavesplendidlyavailedyourself。"

ThistimeLouiseheldherselfwithcomposure。Bellamy\'sbrainwasinawhirlbutheremainedsilent。

"Icometoyouboth，"theBaroncontinued，"withmyhandsopen。I

come-Imakenosecretofit-Icometomaketerms。ButfirstofallImustknowwhetherIamintime。ThereisonequestionwhichImustask。Iaddressit，sir，toyou，"headded，turningtoBellamy。"HaveyouyetplacedinthehandsofyourGovernmentthepaperswhichyouobtainedfromVonBehrling？"

Bellamyshookhishead。

TheBarondrewalongbreathofrelief。Thoughhehadmaintainedhissavoirfaireperfectly，thefingerswhichforamomentplayedwithhistie，asthoughtorearrangeit，weretrembling。

"Well，then，Iamintime。Willyouseemyhand？"

"MademoiselleandI，"answeredBellamy，"areatleastreadytolistentoanythingyoumayhavetosay。"

"Youknowquitewell，"theBaroncontinued，"whatitisthatIhavecometosay，yetIwantyoutorememberthis。Idonotcometobribeyouinanyordinarymanner。Thethingswhicharetocomewillhappen；theymusthappen，ifnotthisyear，next，-ifnotnextyear，withinhalfadecadeofyears。Historyisanabsolutescience。Thefutureaswellasthepastcanbereadbythosewhoknowthesigns。

Thethingwhichhasbeenresolveduponiscertain。TheknowledgeofthecontentsofthosepapersbyyourGovernmentmightdelaythefinalcatastropheforashortwhile；itcoulddonomore。Inthelongrun，itwouldbebetterforyourcountry，Mr。Bellamy，ineveryway，thattheendcomesoon。Therefore，Iaskyoutoperformnotraitorousdeed。Iaskyoutodothatwhichissimplyreasonableforallofus，whichis，indeed，fortheadvantageofallofus。

restorethosepaperstomeinsteadofhandingthemtoyourGovernment，andIwillpayyouforthemthesumofonehundredthousandpounds！"

"Onehundredthousandpounds"Bellamyrepeated。

"Onehundredthousandpounds！"murmuredLouise。

Therewasabrief，intensepause。Louisewaited，warnedbytheexpressioninBellamy\'sface。Silence，shefelt，wassafest，anditwasBellamywhospoke。

"Baron，"saidhe，"yourvisitandyourproposalarebothalittleamazing。ForgivemeifIspeakalonewithMademoiselleforamoment。"

"Mostcertainly，"theBaronagreed。"Igoawayandleaveyou-outoftheroom，ifyouwill。"

"Itisnotnecessary，"Bellamyreplied。"Louise！"TheBaronwithdrewtothewindow，andBellamyledLouiseintothefurthestcorneroftheroom。

"Whatcanitmean？"hewhispered。"Whatdoyousupposehashappened？"

"Icannotimagine。Mybrainisinawhirl。"

"Iftheyhavenotgotthepocket-book，"Bellamymuttered，"itmusthavegonewithVonBehrlingtotheMortuary。Ifso，thereisachance。Louise，saynothing；leavethistome。"

"Asyouwill，"sheassented。"Ihavenowishtointerfere。Ionlyhopethathedoesnotaskmeanyquestions。"

Theycameoncemoreintothemiddleoftheroom，andtheBaronturnedtomeetthem。

"YoumustforgiveMademoiselle，"saidBellamy，"ifsheisalittleupsetthismorning。Sheknows，ofcourse，asIknowandyouknow，thatVonBehrlingwasplayingadesperategame，andthathecarriedhislifeinhishands。Yethisdeathhasbeenashock-hasbeenashock，Imaysay，tobothofus。Fromyourpointofview，"Bellamywenton，"itwasdoubtlessdeserved，but-"

"What，inGod\'sname，isthisthatyousay？"theBaroninterrupted。

"Idonotunderstandatall！YouspeakofVonBehrling\'sdeath！

Whatdoyoumean？"

Bellamylookedathimasonewholistenstostrangewords。

"Baron，"hesaid，"betweenuswhoknowsomuchthereissurelynoneedforyoutoplayapart。VonBehrlingknewthatyouwerewatchinghim。Yourspieswereshadowinghimastheyhavedoneme。

Heknewthathewasrunningterriblerisks。Hewasnotunpreparedandhehaspaid。Itisnotforus-"

"Now，inGod\'sname，tellmethetruth！"BarondeStreussinterruptedoncemore。"WhatisitthatyouaresayingaboutVonBehrling\'sdeath？"

Bellamydrewalittlebreathbetweenhisteeth。Heleanedforwardwithhishandsrestinguponthetable。

"Doyoumeantosaythatyoudonotknow？"

"Uponmysoul，no！"repliedtheBaron。

Bellamythrewopenthenewspaperbeforehim。

"VonBehrlingwasmurderedlastnight，tenminutesafterourinterview。"

CHAPTERXII

BARONDESTREUSS\'PROPOSAL

TheBaronadjustedhiseyeglasswithshakingfingers。Hisfacenowwaswaxen-whiteashespreadoutthenewspaperuponthetableandreadtheparagraphwordbyword。

TERRIBLECRIMEINTHECITY

EarlythismorningthebodyofamanwasdiscoveredinanarrowpassagewayleadingfromCrookedFriarstoRoyalStreet，undercircumstanceswhichleavelittledoubtbutthattheman\'sdeathwasowingtofoulplay。

Thedeceasedhadapparentlybeenstabbed，andhadreceivedseveralsevereblowsaboutthehead。Hewasshabbilydressedbutwaswellsuppliedwithmoney，andhewaswearingagoldwatchandchainwhenhewasfound。

LATER

ThereappearstobenofurtherdoubtbutthatthemanfoundintheentryleadingfromCrookedFriarshadbeenthevictimofaparticularlymurderousassault。Neitherhisclothesnorhislinenboreanymarkbymeansofwhichhecouldbeidentified。Thebodyhasbeenremovedtothenearestmortuary，andaninquestwillshortlybeheld。

Streusslookedupfromthenewspaperandtherealityofhissurprisewasapparent。Hehadalltheappearanceofamanshakenwithemotion。

Whilehelookedathistwocompanionswonderingly，strangethoughtswereforminginhismind。

"VonBehrlingdead！"hemuttered。"Butwho-whocouldhavedonethis？"

"Untilthismoment，"Bellamyanswereddryly，"itwasnotamatterconcerningwhichwehadanydoubt。Theonlywondertouswasthatitshouldhavebeendonetoolate。"

"Youmean，"Streusssaidslowly，"thathewasmurderedafterhehadcompletedhisbargainwithyou？"

"Naturally。"

"Isuppose，"theBaroncontinued，"thereisnoquestionbutthatitwasdoneafterwards？Yousmile，"heexclaimed，"butwhatamItothink？NeitherInormypeoplehadanyhandinthisdeed。Howaboutyours？"

Bellamyshookhishead。

"Wedonotfightthatway，"hereplied。"IhadboughtVonBehrling。

Hewasofnofurtherinteresttome。Ididnotcarewhetherhelivedordied。"

"Thereissomethingverystrangeaboutthis，"theBaronsaid。"IfneitheryounorIwereresponsibleforhisdeath，whowas？"

"ThatIcan\'ttellyou。Perhapslaterinthedayweshallhearfromthepolice。Itisscarcelythesortofmurderwhichwouldremainlongundetected，especiallyashewasrobbedofalargesuminbank-notes。"

"SuppliedbyHisMajesty\'sGovernment，Ipresume？"Streussremarked。

"Precisely，"Bellamyassented，"andpaidtohimbyme。"

"Atanyrate，"Streusssaidgrimly，"wehavenownomoresecretsfromoneanother。Iwillaskyouonelastquestion。Whereisthatpacketatthepresentmoment？"

Bellamyraisedhiseyebrows。

"Itisaquestion，"hedeclared，"whichyoucouldscarcelyexpectmetoanswer。"

"Iwillputitanotherway，"Streusscontinued。"Supposingyoudecidetoacceptmyoffer，howlongwillitbebeforethepacketcanbeplacedinmyhands？"

"Ifwedecidetoaccept，"Bellamyanswered，"thereisnoreasonwhythereshouldbeanydelayatall。"

Streusswassilentforseveralmoments。Hishandswerethrustdeepdownintothepocketsofhisovercoat。Witheyesfixeduponthetablecloth，heseemedtobethinkingdeeply，tillpresentlyheraisedhisheadandlookedsteadilyatBellamy。

"YouaresurethatVonBehrlinghasnotfooledyou？Youaresurethatyouhavethatidenticalpacket？"

"IamabsolutelycertainthatIhave，"Bellamyanswered，withoutflinching。

"Thenacceptmypriceandhavedonewiththismatter，"Streussbegged。"Iwillsignadraftforyouhere，andIwillundertaketobringyouthemoney，orhonoritwhereveryousay，withintwenty-fourhours。"

"Icannotdecidesoquickly，"saidBellamy，shakinghishead。

"MademoiselleIdialeandImusttalktogetherfirst。Iamnotsure，"

headded，"whetherImightnotfindahigherbidder。"

Streusslaughedmirthlessly。

"Thereislittlefearofthat，"hesaid。"ThepapersareofnouseexcepttousandtoEngland。ToEngland，Iwilladmitthattheforeknowledgeofwhatistocomewouldbeworthmuch，althoughtheeventfulresultwouldbethesame。ItisforthatreasonthatIamhere，forthatreasonthatIhavemadeyouthisoffer。"

"MademoiselleandImustdiscussit，"Bellamydeclared。"Itisnotamattertobedecideduponoff-hand。Rememberthatitisnotonlythepacketwhichyouareofferingtobuy，butalsomycareerandmyhonor。"

"Onehundredthousandpounds，"Streusssaidslowly。"Fromyourownsideyougetnothing-nothingbutyourbeggarlysalaryandanoccasionalreprimand。Onehundredthousandpoundsisnotimmensewealth，butitissomething。"

"Yourofferisagenerousone，"admittedBellamy，"thereisnodoubtaboutthat。Ontheotherhand，Icannotdecidewithoutfurtherconsideration。Itisabigthingforus，remember。Ihaveworkedveryhardforthecontentsofthatpacket。"

OncemoreStreussfeltanuneasypangofincredulity。Afterall，wasthisEnglishmanplayingwithhim？Soheasked:"Youarequitesurethatyouhaveit？"

"ThereisnomeansofconvincingyouofwhichIcaretomakeuse。

Youmustbecontentwithmyword。Ihavethepacket。IpaidVonBehrlingforitandhegaveittomewithhisownhands。"

"Imustacceptyourword，"Streussdeclared。"Igiveyouthreedaysforreflection。BeforeIgo，Mr。Bellamy，forgivemeifIreferoncemoretothis，"-touchingthenewspaperwhichstilllayuponthetable。"RememberthatRudolphVonBehrlingmovedaboutamarkedman。Yourspiesandmineweremostofthetimeuponhisheels。Yetintheendsomethirdpersonseemstohaveintervened。Areyouquitesurethatyouknownothingofthis？"

"Uponmyhonor，"Bellamyreplied，"IhavenottheslightestinformationconcerningVonBehrling\'sdeathbeyondwhatyoucanreadthere。Itwasasgreatasurprisetomeastoyou。"

"Itisincomprehensible，"Streussmurmured。

"Onecanonlyconclude，"Bellamyremarkedthoughtfully，"thatsomeonemusthaveseenhimwiththosenotes。Therewerepeoplemovingaboutinthelittlerestaurantwherewemet。Therustleofbank-noteshascostmorethanonemanhislife。

"Forthepresent，"Streusssaid，"wemustbelievethatitwasso。

Listentome，bothofyou。Youwillbewiserifyoudonotdelay。

Youareyoungpeople，andtheworldisbeforeyou。Withmoneyonecandoeverything。Withoutit，lifeisbutaslavery。Theworldisfullofbeautifuldwelling-placesforthosewhohavethemeanstochoose。Remember，too，thatnotasoulwilleverknowofthistransaction，ifyoushoulddecidetoacceptmyoffer。"

"Weshallrememberallthosethings，"Bellamyassuredhim。

Streusstookuphishatandgloves。

"Withyourpermission，then，Mademoiselle，"heconcluded，turningtoLouise，"Igo。ImusttryandunderstandformyselfthemeaningofthisthingwhichhashappenedtoVonBehrling。"

"Donotforget，"Bellamysaid，"thatifyoudiscoveranything，weareequallyinterested。"……

Theyheardhimgoout。Bellamypurposelyheldthedooropenuntilhesawtheliftdescend。Thenhecloseditfirmlyandcamebackintotheroom。Louiseandhelookedateachother，theirfacesfullofanxiousquestioning。

"Whatdoesitmean？"Louisecried。"Whatcanitmean？"

"Heavenaloneknows！"Bellamyanswered。"Thereisnotagleamofdaylight。MypeopleareabsolutelyinnocentofanyattemptuponVonBehrling。IfStreusstellsthetruth，andIbelievehedoes，hispeopleareinthesameposition。Who，then，inthenameofallthatismiraculous，canhavemurderedandrobbedVonBehrling？"

"InLondon，too，"Louisemurmured。"ItisnotVienna，this，orBelgrade。"

"Youareright，"Bellamyagreed。"Londonisoneofthemostlaw-abidingcitiesinEurope。Besides，thequarterwherethemurderoccurredisentirelyunfrequentedbythecriminalclasses。Itissimplyaregionofgreatbanksandtheofficesofmerchantprinces。

"Isitpossiblethatthereissomeoneelsewhoknewaboutthatdocument？"Louiseasked，-"someoneelsewhohasbeenwatchingVonBehrling？"

Bellamyshookhishead。

"Howcanthatbe？Besides，ifanyoneelsewerereallyonhistrack，theymusthavebelievedthathehadpartedwithittome。IshallgobacknowtoDowningStreettoaskforalettertotheChiefofScotlandYard。Ifanythingcomesout，Imusthaveplentyofwarning。"

"AndI，"shesaid，withanapprovingnod，"shallgobacktobedagain。Thesedaysaretoostrenuousforme。Won\'tyoustayandtakeyourcoffeewithme？"

Bellamyheldherhandforamomentinhis。

"Dear，"hesaid，"Iwouldstay，butyouunderstand，don\'tyou，whatamazethisisintowhichwehavewandered。VonBehrlinghasbeenmurderedbysomepersonwhoseemstohavedroppedfromtheskies。

Whoevertheymaybe，theyhaveintheirpossessionmytwentythousandpoundsandthepacketwhichshouldhavebeenmine。ImusttracethemifIcan，Louise。Itisapoorchance，butImustdomybest。ImyselfamoftheopinionthatVonBehrlingwasmurderedforthemoney，andforthemoneyonly。Ifso，thatpacketmaybeinthehandsofpeoplewhohavenoideawhatusetomakeofit。

Theymayevendestroyit。IfStreussreturnsandyouareforcedtoseehim，becareful。Remember，wehavethedocument-wearehesitating。Solongashebelievesthatitisinourpossession，hewillnotlookelsewhere。"

"Iwillbecareful，"Louisepromised，withherarmsaroundhisneck。

"And，dear，takecare。WhenIthinkofpoorRudolphVonBehrling，Itremble，also，foryou。Itseemstomethatyourdangerisnolessthanhis。"

"Idonotgoaboutwithtwentythousandpoundsinmypocket-book，"

withasmile。

Sheshookherhead。

"No，butStreussbelievesthatyouhavethedocumentwhichheispledgedtorecover。Becarefulthattheydonotleadyouintoatrap。Theyarenotaboveanything，thesemen。IheardonceofaBulgarianinViennawhowastortured-torturedalmosttodeath-beforehespoke。Thentheythrusthimintoalunaticasylum。

Remember，dear，theyhavenoconsciencesandnopity。"

"WeareinLondon，"heremindedher。

"SowasVonBehrling，"sheansweredquickly，-"notonlyinLondonbutinasafepartofLondon。Yetheisdead。"

"Itwasnottheirdoing，"hedeclared。"Intheirowncountry，theyhavethewholemachineryoftheirwonderfulpolicesystemattheirbacks，andnofearofthelawintheirhearts。Heretheymustneedsgocautiously。Idon\'tthinkyouneedbeafraid，"headded，smiling，asheopenedthedoor。"IthinkIcanpromiseyouthatifyouwilldomethehonorwewillsuptogetherto-night。"

"YoumustfetchmefromtheOperaHouse，"Louiseinsisted。"Itisabargain。Ihavesufferedenoughneglectatyourhands。Onething，David，-wheredoyougofirstfromhere？"

"Tofindtheman，"Bellamyansweredgravely，"whowaswatchingVonBehrlingwhenheleftme。IfanymaninEnglandknowsanythingofthemurder，itmustbehe。Heshouldbeatmyroomsbynow。"

CHAPTERXIII

STEPHENLAVERICK\'SCONSCIENCE

StephenLaverickwasabachelor-hisfriendscalledhimanincorrigibleone。HehadasmallbutpleasantlysituatedsuiteofroomsinWhitehallCourt，lookingoutupontheriver。Hishabitswerealmostmonotonousintheirregularity，andthemorningfollowinghislatenightinthecitywasnoexceptiontothegeneralrule。Ateighto\'clock，thevaletattachedtothesuiteknockedathisdoorandinformedhimthathisbathwasready。Heawokeatoncefromasoundsleep，satupinbed，andrememberedtheeventsoftheprecedingevening。

Atfirsthewasinclinedtodoubtthatslowlystirringeffortofmemory。Hewasamanofunromantictemperament，unimaginative，andbynomeansofanadventurousturnofmind。Hesoughtnaturallyforthemostreasonableexplanationofthisstrangepicture，whichnoeffortofhiswillcoulddismissfromhismemory。Itwasadream，ofcourse。Butthedreamdidnotfade。Slowlyitspreaditselfoutsothathecouldnolongerdoubt。Heknewverywellashesatthereontheedgeofhisbedthatthethingwastruth。He，StephenLaverick，amanhithertoofuprightcharacter，withareputationofwhichunconsciouslyhewasproud，hadrobbedadeadman，hadlookedintotheburningeyesofhismurderer，hadstolenawaywithtwentythousandpoundsofsomeoneelse\'smoney。Morally，atanyrate，-

probablylegallyaswell，-hewasathief。Aglimpseinsidehissafeonthepartofanastutedetectivemightveryeasilybringhimunderthegravesuspicionofbeingacriminalofaltogetherdeeperdye。

StephenLaverickwas，inhisway，somethingofaphilosopher。Inthecolddaylight，withthesoundofthewaterrunningintohisbath，thisdeedwhichhehaddoneseemedtohimfoolishandreprehensible。

Nevertheless，herealizedtheabsolutefinalityofhisaction。Thethingwasdone；hemustmakethebestofit。Behavingineverywaylikeasensibleman，hedidnotsendforthenewspapersandsearchhystericallyfortheiraccountoflastnight\'stragedy，buttookhisbathasusual，dressedwithmorethanordinarycare，andsatdowntohisbreakfastbeforeheevenunfoldedthepaper。Theitemforwhichhesearchedoccupiedbynomeanssoprominentapositionashehadexpected。Itappearedunderoneoftheleadingheadlines，butitconsistedofonlyafewwords。Hereadthemwithinterestbutwithoutemotion。AfterwardsheturnedtotheStockExchangequotationsandmadenotesofafewpricesinwhichhewasinterested。

HecompletedinleisurelyfashionanexcellentbreakfastandfollowedhisusualcustomofwalkingalongtheEmbankmentasfarastheRoyalHotel，wherehecalledataxicabanddrovetohisoffices。AlittlecrowdhadgatheredaroundtheendofthepassagewhichledfromCrookedFriars，andLaverickhimselfleanedforwardandlookedcuriouslyatthespotwherethebodyofthemurderedmanhadlain。

Itseemedhardtohimtoreconstructlastnight\'ssceneinhismindnowthatthenarrowstreetwasfilledwithhurryingmenandastreamofvehiclesblockedeveryinchoftheroadway。Inhisearlymorningmoodthethingwasimpossible。Inamomentortwohepaidhisdriveranddismissedhim。

Hefanciedthatacertainreliefwasvisibleamonghisclerkswhenheopenedthedooratpreciselyhisusualtimeandwithacheerful"Good-morning！"madehiswayintotheprivateoffice。Helithiscustomarycigaretteanddealtrapidlywiththecorrespondencewhichwasbroughtintohimbyhishead-clerk。Afterwards，assoonashewasalone，heopenedthesafe，thrustthecontentsofthatinnerdrawerintohisbreast-pocket，andtookuponcemorehishatandgloves。

"Iamgoingaroundtothebank，"hetoldhisclerkashepassedout。

"Ishallbebackinhalf-an-hour-perhapsless。"

"Verygood，sir，"themananswered。"WillMr。Morrisonbeherethismorning？"

Laverickhesitated。

"No，Mr。Morrisonwillnotbehereto-day。"

Itwasonlyafewstepstohisbankers，andhisrequestforaninterviewwiththemanagerwasimmediatelygranted。Thelatterreceivedhimkindlybutwithacertainrestraint。Therearenotmanysecretsinthecity，andMorrison\'sbigplungeonaparticularminingshare，notwithstandingitssteadydrop，hadbeenfreelycommentedupon。

"WhatcanIdoforyou，Mr。Laverick？"thebankerasked。

"Iamnotsure，"answeredLaverick。"Totellyouthetruth，Iaminasomewhatsingularposition。"

Thebankernodded。Hehadnotadoubtbutthatheunderstoodexactlywhatthatpositionwas。

"Youhaveperhapsheard，"Laverickcontinuedslowly，"thatmylatepartner，Mr。Morrison，-"

"Latepartner？"themanagerinterrupted。

Laverickassented。

"Wehadafewwordslastnight，"heexplained"andMr。Morrisonlefttheofficewithanunderstandingbetweenusthatheshouldnotreturn。Youwillreceiveaformalintimationofthatduringthecourseofthenextdayorso。Wewillreverttothematterpresently，ifyouwish。MyimmediatebusinesswithyouistodiscussthefactthatIhavetoprovidesomethingliketwentythousandpoundsto-dayifIdecidetotakeupthepurchasesofstockwhichMorrisonhasmade。"

"Youunderstandtheposition，ofcourse，Mr。Laverick，ifyoufailtodoso？"themanagerremarkedgravely。

"Naturally，"Laverickanswered。"IamquiteawareofthefactthatMorrisonactedonbehalfofthefirmandthatIamresponsibleforhistransactions。Hehasplungedprettydeeply，though，agreatdealmoredeeplythanourcapitalwarranted。ImayaddthatIhadnottheslightestideaastotheextentofhisdealings。"

Thebankmanageradoptedasympatheticbutseriousattitude。

"Twentythousandpounds，"hedeclared，"isagreatdealofmoney，Mr。Laverick。"

"Itisagreatdealofmoney，"Laverickadmitted。"Iamheretoaskyoutolendittome。

Thebankmanagerraisedhiseyebrows。

"MydearMr。Laverick！"heexclaimedreproachfully。

"Uponunimpeachablesecurity，"Laverickcontinued。Thebankmanagerwasconsciousthathehadallowedalittlestartofsurprisetoescapehim，andbithislipwithannoyance。Itwasentirelycontrarytohistenetstodisplayatanytimeduringofficehoursanysortofemotion。

"Unimpeachablesecurity，"herepeated。"Ofcourse，ifyouhavethattooffer，Mr。Laverick，althoughthesumisalargeone，itisourbusinesstoseewhatwecandoforyou。"

"Mysecurityisofthebest，"Laverickdeclaredgrimly。"Ihavebank-noteshere，Mr。Fenwick，fortwentythousandpounds。"

Thebankmanagerwasagainguiltyofanunprofessionalaction。Hewhistledsoftlyunderhisbreath。AveryrespectableclienthehadalwaysconsideredMr。StephenLaverick，buthehadcertainlyneversuspectedhimofbeingabletoproduceatapinchsuchevidenceofmeans。Lavericksmoothedoutthenotesandlaidthemuponthetable。

"Mr。Fenwick，"hesaid，"IbelieveIamrightinassumingthatwhenonecomestoone\'sbankers，oneenters，asitwere，intoaconfessional。IfeelconvincedthatnothingwhichIsaytoyouwillberepeatedoutsidethisoffice，orwillbeallowedtodwellinyourownmindexceptwithreferencetothisparticulartransactionbetweenyouandme。Ihavetheright，haveInot，totakethatforgranted？"

"Mostcertainly，"thebankeragreed。

"Fromastrictlyethicalpointofview，"Laverickwenton，"thismoneyisnotmine。Iholditintrustforitsowner，butIholditwithoutanyconditions。IhavepowertomakewhatuseIwishofit，andIchooseto-daytouseitonmyownbehalf。WhetherIamjustifiedornotisscarcelyamatter，Ipresume，whichconcernsthisexcellentbankingestablishmentoverwhichyoupresidesoably。

Idonotpaythesebank-notesintomyaccountandaskyoutocreditmewithtwentythousandpounds。Iaskyoutoallowmetodepositthemhereforsevendaysassecurityagainstanoverdraft。

Youcanthenadvancemeenoughmoneytomeetmyengagementsofto-day。"

Thebankertookupthenotesandlookedthemthrough，onebyone。

Theywereverycrisp，verynew，andabsolutelygenuine。

"Thisissomewhatanextraordinaryproceeding，Mr。Laverick，"hesaid。

"Ihavenodoubtthatitmustseemsotoyou，"Laverickadmitted。

"Atthesametime，therethemoneyis。Youcanrunnorisk。IfI

amexceedingmymoralrightinmakinguseofthesenotes，itisI

whowillhavetopay。WillyoudoasIask？"

Thebankerhesitated。Thetransactionwassomewhatapeculiarone，butonthefaceofittherecouldbenopossiblerisk。Atthesametime，therewassomethingaboutitwhichhecouldnotunderstand。

"Yourwish，Mr。Laverick，"heremarked，lookingathimthoughtfully，"seemstobetokeepthesenotesoutofcirculation。"

Laverickreturnedhisgazewithoutflinching。

"Inasense，thatisso，"heassented。

"Onthewhole，"thebankerdeclared，"Ishouldprefertocreditthemtoyouraccountintheusualway。"

"Iamsorry，"Laverickanswered，"butIhaveasentimentalfeelingaboutit。Iprefertokeepthenotesintact。Ifyoucannotfollowoutmysuggestion，Imustremovemyaccountatonce。Thisisn\'tathreat，Mr。Fenwick，-youwillunderstandthat，Iamsure。Itissimplyamatterofbusiness，andowingtoMorrison\'sspeculationsIhavenotimeforarguments。Iamquitesatisfiedtoremaininyourhands，butmyfeelinginthematterisexactlyasIhavestated，andIcannotchange。Ifyouaretoretainmyaccount，myengagementsforto-daymustbemetpreciselyinthewayIhavepointedout。"

Thebankerexcusedhimselfandlefttheroomforafewmoments。

Whenhereturned，heshruggedhisshoulderswiththeairofonewhoisgivingintoanunreasonableclient。

"Itshallbeasyousay，Mr。Laverick，"heannounced。"Thenotesareplacedupondeposit。Yourengagementsto-dayuptotwentythousandpoundsshallbedulyhonored。"

Laverickshookhandswithhim，talkedforamomentortwoaboutindifferentmatters，andstrolledbacktowardshisoffice。Hehadratherthesenseofamanwhomovesinadream，whoisliving，somehow，inalifewhichdoesn\'tbelongtohim。Hewasdoingtheimpossible。Heknewverywellthathisnamewasineveryone\'smouth。Peoplewerelookingathimsympathetically，wonderinghowhecouldhavebeensuchafoolastobecomethevictimofanirresponsiblespeculator。Nooneeverimaginedthathewouldbeabletokeephisengagements。Andhehaddoneit。Thepricemightbeagreatone，buthewaspreparedtopay。Atanymomentthesensationalnewsmightbeupontheplacards，andthewholeworldmightknowthatthemanwhohadbeenmurderedinCrookedFriarslastnighthadfirstbeenrobbedoftwentythousandpounds。

Sofarhehadfelthimselfcuriouslyfreefromanythingintheshapeofdirectapprehensions。Already，however，theshadowwasbeginningtofall。Evenasheenteredhisoffice，thesightofastrangerofferingofficefilesforsalemadehimstart。Hehalfexpectedtofeelahanduponhisshoulder，afewwordswhisperedinhisear。Hesethisteethtight。Thiswashisriskandhemusttakeit。

Forseveralhoursheremainedinhisoffice，engagedinaschemefortheredirectionofitspolicy。WiththeabsenceofMorrison，too，therewereotherchangestobemade，-changesinthenatureofthebusinesstheywerepreparedtohandle，limitstobefixed。

Itwasnotuntilnearlyluncheontimethatthetelephone，thesimultaneousarrivalofseveralclients，andthebreathlessentryofhisownhead-clerkrushinginfromthehouse，toldhimwhatwasgoingon。

"\'Unions\'havetakentheirturnatlast！"theclerkannounced，inanexcitedtone。"Theysaggedalittlethismorning，butsinceeleventheyhavebeengoingsteadilyup。Justnowthereseemstobeaboom。Listen。"

Laverickheardtheroarofvoicesinthestreet，andnodded。Hewaspreparedtobesurprisedatnothing。

"Theywereboundtogowithinadayortwo，"heremarked。"Morrisonwasn\'tanabsoluteidiot。"

Theluncheonhourpassed。Theexcitementinthecitygrew。Bythreeo\'clock，tenthousandpoundswouldhavecoveredallofLaverick\'sengagements。Justbeforeclosing-time，itwasevendoubtfulwhetherhemightnothaveborrowedeverypennywithoutsecurityatall。Hetookitallquitecalmlyandasamatterofcourse。Helefttheofficealittleearlierthanusual，andeverymanwhomhemetstoppedtoslaphimonthebackandchaffhim。Heescapedassoonashecould，boughttheeveningpapers，foundataxicab，andassoonashehadstartedspreadthemopen。Itwasaremarkableproofoftheman\'sself-restraintthatatnotimeduringtheafternoonhadhesentoutforoneoftheseearlyeditions。

Heturnedthemovernowwithfirmfingers。Therewasabsolutelynofreshnews。Noonehadcomeforwardwithanysuggestionastotheidentityofthemurderedman。AlldaylongthebodyhadlainintheMortuary，visitedbyaconstantstreamofthecurious，butpresumablyunrecognized。Laverickcouldscarcelybelievethewordsheread。Thethingseemedludicrouslyimpossible。Thetwentythousandpoundsmusthavecomefromsomeone。Whydidtheykeepsilence？Whatwasthemysteryaboutit？Coulditbethattheywerenotinapositiontodisclosethefact？Curiouslyenough，thisunnaturalabsenceofnewsinspiredhimwithsomethingwhichwasalmostfear。Hehadtakenhisrisksboldlyenough。NowthatFatewasplayinghimthisunexpectedlygoodturn，hewasconsciousofagrowingnervousness。Whocouldhehavebeen，thisman？Whencecouldhehavederivedthisgreatsum？Onepersonatleastmustknowthathehadbeenrobbed-themanwhomurderedhimmustknowit。AcoldshiverpassedthroughLaverick\'sveinsatthethought。

SomewhereinLondontheremustbeamanthirstingforhisblood，amanwhohadcommittedamurderinvainandbeenrobbedofhisspoil。

Laverickhadnoengagementsforthatevening，butinsteadofgoingtohisclubhedrovestraighttohisrooms，meaningtochangealittleearlyfordinnerandgotoatheatre，liefoundthere，however，asmallboywaitingforhimwithanoteinhishand。Itwasaddressedinpencilonly，andhisnamewasprinteduponit。

Lavericktoreitopenwithahastewhichheonlyimperfectlyconcealed。Therewassomethingominoustohiminthoseprintedcharacters。Itscontents，however，wereshortenough。

DEARLAVERICK，Imustseeyou。Comethemomentyougetthis。Comewithoutfail，foryourownsakeandmine。A。M。

Lavericklookedattheboy。Hisfingersweretrembling，butitwaswithrelief。ThenotewasfromMorrison。

"Thereisnoaddresshere，"heremarked。

"ThegentsaidasIwastotakeyoubackwithme，"theboyanswered。

"Isitfar？"Laverickasked。

"ClosetoRedLionSquare，"theboydeclared。"Notmorenorfiveminutesinoneofthemtaxicabs。Thegentsaidwewastotakeone。Heisinagreathurrytoseeyou。"

Laverickdidnothesitateamoment。"

"Verywell，"hesaid，"we\'llstartatonce。

Heputonhishatagainandwaitedwhilethecommissionairecalledthemataxicab。

"Whataddress？"heasked。

"Number7，TheobaldSquare，"theboysaid。Lavericknoddedandrepeatedtheaddresstothedriver。

"WhatthedickenscanMorrisonbedoinginapartlikethat！"hethought，astheypassedupNorthumberlandAvenue。

CHAPTERXIV

ARTHURMORRISON\'SCOLLAPSE

TheSquarewasasmallone，andinaparticularlyunsavoryneighborhood。Laverick，whohadoncevisitedhispartner\'ssomewhatextensivesuiteofroomsinJermynStreet，rangthebelldoubtfully。

Thedoorwasopenedalmostatonce，notbyaservantbutbyayoungladywhowasobviouslyexpectinghim。Beforehecouldopenhislipstoframeaninquiry，shehadclosedthedoorbehindhim。

"Willyoupleasecomethisway？"shesaidtimidly。

Laverickfoundhimselfinasmallsitting-room，unexpectedlyneat，andwiththeplainnessofitsfurniturerelievedbycertainundeniabletracesofsomeculturedpresence。Thegirlwhohadfollowedhimstoodwithherbacktothedoor，alittleoutofbreath。

Laverickcontemplatedherinsurprise。Shewasundermediumheight，withsmallpalefaceandwonderfuldarkeyes。Herbrownhairwaspartedinthemiddleandarrangedlowdown，sothatatfirst，takingintoaccountherobviousnervousness，hethoughtthatshewasachild。Whenshespoke，however，heknewthatforsomereasonshewasafraid。Hervoicewassoftandlow，butitwasthevoiceofawoman。

"ItisMr。Laverick，isitnot？"sheasked，lookingathimeagerly。

"MynameisStephenLaverick，"headmitted。"IunderstoodthatI

shouldfindMr。ArthurMorrisonhere。"

"Yes，"thegirlanswered，"hesentforyou。Thenotewasfromhim。

Heishere。"

Shemadenomovementtosummonhim。Shestillstood，infact，withherbacktothedoor。Laverickwasdistinctlypuzzled。Hefelthimselfunabletoplacethistimid，childlikewoman，withherterrifiedfaceandbeautifuleyes。HehadneverheardMorrisonspeakofhavinganyrelations。Hispresenceinsuchalocality，indeed，washardtounderstandunlesshehadmetwithanaccident。

MorrisonwasoneofthoseyoungmenwhowouldhavechosenHellwitha"W"ratherthanHeavenE。C。

"Iamafraid，"Lavericksaid，"thatforsomereasonorotheryouareafraidofme。IcanassureyouthatIamquiteharmless，"headdedsmiling。"Won\'tyousitdownandtellmewhatisthematter？

IsMr。Morrisoninanytrouble？"

"Yes，"sheanswered，"heis。Asforme，Iamterrified。"

Shecamealittleawayfromthedoor。Laverickwasamanwhoinspiredtrust。Histone，too，wasunusuallykind。Hehadtheprotectiveinstinctofabigmantowardasmallwoman。

"Comeandtellmeallaboutit，"hesuggested。"Iexpectedtohearthathehadgoneabroad。"

"Mr。Laverick，"shesaid，lookingupathimtremulously。"Iwashopingthatyoucouldhavetoldmewhatitwasthathadcometohim。"

"Well，thatratherdepends，"Laverickanswered。"Wecertainlyhadaterriblyanxioustimeyesterday。Ourbusinesshasbeenmostunfortunate-"

"Yes，yes！"thegirlinterrupted。"Pleasegoon。Therehavebeenbusinesstroubles，then。"

"Rather，"Laverickcontinued。"LastnighttheyreachedsuchapitchthatIgaveMorrisonsomemoneyanditwasagreedthatheshouldleavethefirmandtryhislucksomewhereelse。Iquiteunderstoodthathewasgoingabroad。"

Thegirlseemed，forsomereason，relieved。

"Therewassomething，then，"shesaid，halftoherself。"Therewassomething。Oh，Iamgladofthat！Youwereangrywithhim，perhaps，Mr。Laverick？"

Laverickstoodwithhisbacktothelittlefireplaceandwithhishandsbehindhim-acommandingfigureinthetinyroomfulloffemininetrifles。Helookedagreatdealmoreathiseasethanhereallywas。

"PerhapsIwasinclinedtobeshort-tempered，"headmitted。"Yousee，tobefrankwithyou，thedepartmentofourbusinessthatwasgoingwrongwastheoneoverwhichMorrisonhashadsolecontrol。

HehadenteredintocertainspeculationswhichIconsideredunjustifiable。To-day，however，matterstookanunexpectedturnforthebetter。"

Almostashespokehisfaceclouded。Morrison，ofcourse，wouldbetriumphant。Perhapshewouldevenexpecttobereinstated。Formanyreasons，thiswasathingwhichLaverickdidnotdesire。

"Nowtellme，"hecontinued，"whatisthematterwithMorrison，andwhyhashesentforme，and，ifyouwillpardonmysayingso，whyishehereinsteadofinhisownrooms？"

"Iwillexplain，"shebegansoftly。

"Youwillpleaseexplainsittingdown，"hesaidfirmly。"Anddon\'tlooksoterrified，"headded，withalittlelaugh。"IcanassureyouthatIamnotgoingtoeatyou，oranythingofthatsort。Youmakemefeelquiteuncomfortable。"

Shesmiledforthefirsttime，andLaverickthoughtthathehadneverseenanythingsowonderfulasthechangeinherfeatures。Thestrainedrigiditypassedaway。Analtogethersofterlightgleamedinherwonderfuleyes。Shewascertainlybyfartheprettiestchildhehadeverseen。Asyethecouldnottakeheraltogetherseriously。

"Thankyou，"shesaid，sinkingdownuponthearmofaneasy-chair。

"firstofall，then，Arthurisherebecauseheismybrother。"

"Yourbrother！"Laverickrepeatedwonderingly。

Somehoworother，hehadneverassociatedMorrisonwithrelations。

Besides，thismeantthatshemustbeofhisrace。Therewasnothinginherfacetodenoteitexceptthedarknessofhereyes，andthatnamelesscharmofmanner，asortofultra-sensitiveness，whichbelongssometimestothehighesttypeofJews。Itwasnotaquality，Laverickthought，whichheshouldhaveassociatedwithMorrison\'ssister。

"Mybrother，inaway，"sheresumed。"Arthur\'sfatherwasawidowerandmymotherwasawidowwhentheyweremarried。Youaresurprised？"

"ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldbe，"heanswered，curiouslyrelievedatherlaststatement。"YourbrotherandIhavebeenconnectedinbusinessforsomeyears。Wehaveseenverylittleofoneanotheroutside。"

"Idaresay，"shecontinued，stilltimidly，"thatArthur\'sfriendswouldnotbeyourfriends，andthathewouldn\'tcareforthesamesortofthings。Yousee，mymotherisdeadandalsohisfather，andaswearen\'treallyrelatedatall，Icannotexpectthathewouldcometoseemeveryoften。Lastnight，though，quitelate-longafterIhadgonetobed-herangthebellhere。Iwasfrightened，forjustnowIamallalone，andmyservantonlycomesinthemorning。SoIlookedoutofthewindowandIsawhimonthepavement，huddledupagainstthedoor。Ihurrieddownandlethimin。Mr。Laverick，"shewenton，withanappealingglanceathim，"Ihaveneverseenanyonelooklikeit。Hewasterrifiedtodeath。

Somethingseemedtohavehappenedwhichhadtakenawayfromhimeventhepowerofspeech。Hepushedpastmeintothisroom，threwhimselfintothatchair，"sheadded，pointingacrosstheroom，"andhesobbedandbeathishandsuponhiskneesasthoughhewereawomaninafitofhysterics。Hisclotheswerealluntidy，hewasaspaleasdeath，andhiseyeslookedasthoughtheywerereadytostartoutofhishead。"

"Youmustindeedhavebeenfrightened，"Lavericksaidsoftly。

"Frightened！Ishallneverforgetit！Ididnotsleepallnight。

Hewouldtellmenothing-hehasscarcelyspokenasensibleword。

EarlythismorningIpersuadedhimtogoupstairs，andmadehimliedown。HehastakentwodraughtswhichIboughtfromthechemist，buthehasnotslept。Everynowandthenhetriestogetup，butinaminuteortwohethrowshimselfdownonthebedagainandhideshisface。Ifanyoneringsatthebell，heshrieks。Ifhehearsafootfallinthestreet，even，hecallsoutforme。Mr。Laverick，I

haveneverbeensofrightenedinmylife。Ididn\'tknowwhomtosendfororwhattodo。WhenhewrotethatnotetoyouIwassorelieved。Youcan\'timaginehowgladIamtothinkyouhavecome！"

Laverick\'seyeswerefullofsympathy。Onecouldseethatthesceneoflastnighthadrisenupagainbeforehereyes。Shewasshrinkingback，andtheterrorwasuponheroncemore。Hemovedovertoherside，andwithanimpulsewhich，whenhethoughtofitafterwards，amazedhim，laidhishandgentlyuponhershoulder。

"Don\'tworryyourselfthinkingaboutit，"hesaid。"Iwilltalktoyourbrother。Wedidhavewords，I\'lladmit，lastnight，buttherewasn\'ttheslightestreasonwhyitshouldhaveupsethiminthisway。Thingsinthecitywereshockingyesterday，buttheyhaveimprovedagreatdealto-day。LetmegoupstairsandI\'lltryandpumpsomecourageintohim。"

"Youaresokind，"shemurmured，suddenlydroppingherhandsfrombeforeherfaceandlookingupathimwithshiningeyes，"soverykind。Willyoucome，then？"

Sheroseandhefollowedheroutoftheroom，upthestairs，andintoatinybedroom。Laverickhadnotimetolookaround，butitseemedtohim，notwithstandingthecheapwhitefurnitureandveryordinaryappointments，thatthesamenoteofdaintyfemininitypervadedthislittleapartmentastheonebelow。

"Itismyroom，"shesaidshyly。"Thereisnootherproperlyfurnished，andIthoughtthathemightsleepuponthebed。"

"Perhapsheisasleepnow，"Laverickwhispered。

Evenashespoke，thedarkfigurestretcheduponthesheetssprangintoasittingposture。Laverickwasconsciousofadistinctshock。

ItwasMorrison，stillwearingtheclothesinwhichhehadlefttheoffice，hiscollarcrushedoutofallshape，histievanished。Hisblackhair，usuallysoshinyandperfectlyarranged，wasalldisordered。Outofhisstaringeyesflashedanexpressionwhichoneseesseldominlife，-anexpressionofrealandmortalterror。

"Whoisit？"hecriedout，andevenhisvoicewasunrecognizable。

"Whoisthat？Whatdoyouwant？"

"ItisI-Laverick，"Laverickanswered。"Whatonearthisthematterwithyou，man？"

Morrisondrewaquickbreath。Somepartoftheterrorseemedtoleavehisface，buthewasstillanalarming-lookingobject。

Laverickquietlyopenedthedoorandlaidhishanduponthegirl\'sshoulder。

"Willyouleaveusalone？"heasked。"Iwillcomeandtalktoyouafterwards，ifImay。"

Shenoddedunderstandingly，andpassedout。Laverickclosedthedoorandcameuptothebedside。

"Whatinthenameofthunderhascomeoveryou，Morrison？"hesaid。

"Areyouill，orwhatisit？"

Morrisonopenedhislips-openedthemtwice-withoutanysortofsoundissuing。

"Thisisabsurd！"Laverickexclaimedprotestingly。"Ihavebeenfeelingworriedmyself，butthere\'snothingsoterrifyinginlosingone\'smoney，afterall。Asamatteroffact，thingsarealtogetherbetterinthecityto-day。Youmadeabigmistakeintakingusoutofourdepth，butwearegoingtopullthrough，afterall。\'Unions\'

havebeengoingupallday。"

Laverick\'spresence，andthesoundofhiseven，matter-of-facttone，seemedtoactlikeatonicuponhislatepartner。Hemadenoreference，however，toLaverick\'swords。

"Yougotmynote？"heaskedhoarsely。

"NaturallyIgotit，"Laverickansweredimpatiently，"andIcameatonce。Tryandpullyourselftogether。Situpandtellmewhatyouaredoinghere，frighteningyoursisteroutofherlife。"

Morrisongroaned。

"Icamehere，"hemuttered，"becauseIdarednotgotomyownrooms。

Iwasafraid！"

Laverickstruggledwiththecontempthefelt。

"Manalive，"heexclaimed，"whatwastheretobeafraidof？"

"Youdon\'tknow！"Morrisonfaltered。"Youdon\'tknow！"

Then，forthefirsttime，itoccurredtoLaverickthatperhapsthefinancialcrisisintheiraffairswasnottheonlythingwhichhadreducedhislatepartnertothishopelessstate。Helookedathimnarrowly。

"Wheredidyougolastnight，"heasked，"whenyouleftme？"

"Nowhere，"Morrisongasped。"Icamehere。"

Laverickmadeaspaceforhimselfattheendofthebed，andsatdown。

"Lookhere，"hesaid，"it\'snousesendingformeunlessyoumeantotellmeeverything。Haveyoubeengettingyourselfintoanytroubleapartfromouraffairs，oristhereanythinginconnectionwiththemwhichIdon\'tknow？"

AgainMorrisonopenedhislips，andagain，forsomereasonorother，heremainedspeechless。ThenacertainfearcamealsouponLaverick。

TherewassomethinginMorrison\'sstatewhichwasinitselfterrifying。

"Youhadbettertellmeallaboutit，"Laverickpersisted，"whateveritis。IwillhelpyouifIcan。"

Morrisonshookhishead。Therewasaglassofwaterbyhisside。

Hethrusthisfingerintoitandpasseditacrosshislips。Theyweredry，almostcracking。

"Lookhere，"hesaid，"I\'vegotabreakdown-that\'swhat\'sthematterwithme。Mynerveswerenevergood。I\'mafraidofgoingmad。Theanxietyofthelastfewweekshasbeentoomuchforme。

Iwanttogetoutofthecountryquickly，andIdon\'tknowhowtomanageit。Ican\'tthink。DirectlyItrytothinkmyheadgoesround。"

"Thereisnothingintheworldtopreventyourgoingaway，"Laverickanswered。"Itisthesimplestmatterpossible。Evenifwehadgoneunderto-day，noonecouldhavestoppedyourgoingwhereveryouchosetogo。Ruin，evenifithadbeenruin，-andItoldyoujustnowthatbusinesswasbetter，-isnotacrime。Pullyourselftogether，forHeaven\'ssake，man！Youshouldbeashamedtocomehereandfrightenthatpoorlittlegirldownstairsalmosttodeath。"

Morrisongrippedhispartner\'sarm。