下载辰思小说免费APP
"YoumustdoasIask，"hedeclaredhoarsely。"Itdoesn\'tmatteraboutpricesbeingbetter。Iwanttogetaway。Youmusthelpme。"
Lavericklookedathimsteadily。Morrisonwasanordinaryyoungmanofhistype，somethingofaswaggerer，probablyatheartacoward。Butthiswasnoordinaryfear-noteventheordinaryfearofacoward。Laverick\'sfacebecamegraver。Therewassomethingelse，then！
"IwillgetyououtofthecountryifIcan，"saidhe。"Thereisnodifficultyaboutitatallunlessyouareconcealingsomethingfromme。Youcancatchafaststeamerto-morrow，eitherforSouthAfricaorNewYork，butbeforeImakeanydefiniteplans，hadn\'tyoubettertellmeexactlywhathappenedlastnight？"
OncemoreMorrison\'slipspartedwithouttheabilitytoframewords。
Thenafeeblemoanescapedhim。Hethrewuphishandsandhisheadfellback。Theghastlinessofhisfacespreadalmosttohislips，andhesankbackamongthepillows。Laverickstrodeacrosstheroomtothedoor。
"Areyouanywhereabout？"hecalledout。
Thegirlwasbyhissideinamoment。
"Thereisnothingtobealarmedat，"hesaid，"butyourbrotherhasfainted。Bringmesomesalvolatileifyouhaveit，andIthinkthatyouhadbetterrunoutandgetadoctor。Iwillstaywithhim。
Iknowexactlywhattodo。"
Shepointedtothedressing-table，wherealittlebottlewasstanding，andrandownstairswithoutaword。Laverickmixedsomeofthespirit，andmovedovertothesideofthefaintingman。
CHAPTERXV
LAVERICK\'sPARTNERFLEES
Thedoctor，agrave，incuriousperson，arrivedwithinafewminutestofindMorrisonalreadyconsciousbutabsolutelyexhausted。Hefelthispatient\'spulse，prescribedadraught，andfollowedLaverick。downintothesittingroom。
"Anordinarycaseofnervousexhaustion，"hepronounced。"Thepatientappearstohavehadaverysevereshocklately。Hewillbeallrightwithproperdietandtreatment，andacompleterest。I
willcallagainto-morrow。"
HeacceptedthefeewhichLaverickslippedintohishand，andtookhisdeparture。OncemoreLaverickwasalonewiththegirl，whohadfollowedthemdownstairs。
"Thereisnothingtobealarmedat，yousee，"heremarked。
"Itisnothishealthwhichfrightensme。Iamsure-Iamquitesurethathehassomethinguponhismind。Didhetellyounothing？"
"Nothingatall，"Laverickanswered，withaninwardsenseofthankfulness。"Totellyouthetruth，though，Iamafraidyouarerightandthathedidgetintosomesortoftroublelastnight。Hewasjustabouttotellmesomethingwhenhefainted。"
Upstairstheycouldhearhimmoaning。Thegirllistenedwithpitifulface。
"WhatamItodo？"sheasked。"Icannotleavehimlikethis，andifIamnotatthetheatreintwentyminutes，Ishallbefined。"
"Thetheatre？"Laverickrepeated。
Shenodded。
"Iamonthestage，"shesaid，-"onlyachorusgirlattheUniversal，worseluck。Still，theydon\'tallowustostayaway，andIcan\'taffordtolosemyplace。"
"Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavebeenkeepingyourselfhere，then？"
Laverickaskedbluntly。
"Ofcourse，"sheanswered。"Idonotliketobeaburdenonanyone，andafterall，yousee，ArthurandIarereallynotrelatedatall。Hehasalwaystoldme，too，thattimeshavebeensobadlately。"
LaverickwasonthepointoftellingherthatbadthoughtheyhadbeenArthurMorrisonhadneverdrawnlessthanfifteenhundredayear，buthecheckedhimself。Itwasnothisbusinesstointerfere。
"Ithink，"hesaid，"thatyourbrotheroughttohaveprovidedforyou。Hecouldhavedonesowithverylittleeffort。"
"ButwhatamItodonow？"sheaskedhim。"IfIamabsent，Ishalllosemyplace。"
Laverickthoughtforamoment。
"Ifyouwentroundthereandtoldthem，"hesuggested，"wouldthatmakeanydifference？Icouldstayuntilyoucameback。"
"Doyoumind？"sheaskedeagerly。"Itwouldbesokindofyou。"
"Notatall，"heanswered。"Perhapsyouwouldbegoodenoughtobringataxicabback，andIcouldtakeitontomyrooms。Takeonefromhere，ifyoucanfindit。Therearealwayssomeatthecorner。"
"I\'dloveto，"sheanswered。"Imustrunupstairsandgetmyhatandcoat。"
Hewatchedhergoupontiptoeforfearofdisturbingherbrother。
Herfeetseemedalmostunearthlyinthelightnessoftheirpressure。
Notaboardcreaked。Sheseemedtofloatdowntohiminamostbecominglittlehatbutashockinglyshabbyjacket，ofwhosedeficienciessheseemedwhollyunaware。Herlipswerepartedoncemoreinasmile。
"Heisfastasleepandbreathingquiteregularly，"sheannounced。
"Itisniceofyoutostay。"
Helookedatheralmostjealously。
"Doyouknow，"hesaid，"yououghtnottogoaboutalone？"
Shelaughed，softlybutheartily。
"HaveyouanyideahowoldIam？"
"ItookyouforfourteenwhenIcameinside，"heanswered。
"AfterwardsIthoughtyoumightbesixteen。Lateron，itseemedtomepossiblethatyouwereeighteen。Iamabsolutelycertainthatyouarenotmorethannineteen。"
"Thatshowshowlittleyouknowaboutit。Iamtwenty，andIamquiteusedtogoingaboutalone。Willyousitupstairsorhere？
IamsosorrythatIhavenothingtoofferyou。"
"Thanks，Ineednothing。IthinkIwillsitupstairsincasehewakes。"
Shenoddedandstoleout，closingthedoorbehindhernoiselessly。
Laverickwatchedherfromthewindowuntilshewasoutofsight，movingwithoutanyappearanceofhaste，yetwithanincredibleswiftness。Whenshehadturnedthecorner，hewentslowlyupstairsandintotheroomwhereMorrisonstilllayasleep。Hedrewachairtothebedsideandleaningforwardopenedouttheeveningpaper。Theeventsofthelasthourorsohadcompletelyblottedoutfromhismind，forthetimebeing，hisownexpeditionintotheworldoftragicalhappenings。Heglancedatthesleepingman，thenopenedhispaper。Therewasverylittlefreshnewsexceptthatthistimethefactwasmentionedthatuponthebodyofthemurderedmanwasdiscoveredasumlargerthanwasatfirstsupposed。Itseemeddoubtful，therefore，whetherrobbery，afterall，wasthemotiveofthecrime，especiallyasittookplaceinaneighborhoodwhichwasbynomeansinfestedwithcriminals。Therewasasuggestionofpoliticalmotive，areferencetothe"BlackHand，"concerningwhosedoingsthepapershadbeenfullsincethemurderofawell-knowndetectiveafewweeksago。Butapartfromthistherewasnothingfresh。
Laverickfoldedupthepaperandleanedbackinhischair。Thestrainofthelasttwenty-fourhourswasbeginningtotellevenuponhisrobustconstitution。Theatmosphereoftheroom，too，wasclose。
Heleanedbackinhischairandwassuddenlyweary。Perhapshedozed。Atanyrate，thewhisperwhichcalledhimbacktorealizationofwherehewas，cametohimsounexpectedlythathesatupwithasuddenstart。
Morrison\'seyeswereopen，hehadraisedhimselfonhiselbow，hislipswereparted。Hismannerwasquieter，buttherewereblacklinesdeepengravenunderhiseyes，inwhichtherestillshonesomethingofthathauntingfear。
"Laverick！"herepeatedhoarsely。
Laverick，fullyawakenednow，leanedtowardshim。
"Hullo，"hesaid，"areyoufeelingmorelikeyourself？"
Morrisonnodded。
"Yes，"headmitted，"Iamfeeling-better。Howdidyoucomehere？
Ican\'trememberanything。"
"Yousentforme，"Laverickanswered。"Iarrivedtofindyouprettywellinastateofcollapse。Yoursisterhasgoneroundtothetheatretoaskthemtoexcuseherthisevening。"
"IremembernowthatIsentforyou，"Morrisoncontinued。"Tellme，hasanyonebeenaroundattheofficeaskingafterme？"
"Nooneparticular，"Laverickanswered，-"nooneatallthatIcanthinkof。Therewereoneortwoinquiriesthroughthetelephone，buttheywereallordinarybusinessmatters。"
Themanonthebeddrewalittlebreathwhichsoundedlikeasighofrelief。
"Ihavemadeafoolofmyself，Laverick，"hesaidhoarsely。
"Youaremakingaworseoneofyourselfbylyinghereandgivingway，"Laverickdeclared，"besidesfrighteningyoursisterhalftodeath。
Morrisonpassedhishandacrosshisforehead。
"Wetalked-sometimeago，"hewenton，"aboutmygettingaway。
Youpromisedthatyouwouldhelpme。YousaidthatIcouldgetofftoAfricaorAmericato-morrow。"
"Nottheslightestdifficultyaboutthat，"Laverickanswered。"Therearehalf-a-dozensteamerssailing，atleast。Atthesametime，I
supposeIoughttoremindyouthatthefirmisgoingtopullthrough。
Mind-don\'ttakethisunkindlybutthetruthisbest-Iwillnothaveyoubackagain。Theremayhavetobeamoredefinitereadjustmentofouraffairsnow，buttheoldbusinessisfinishedwith。"
"Idon\'twanttocomeback，"Morrisonmurmured。"Ihavehadenoughofthecityfortherestofmylife。I\'drathergetawaysomewhereandmakeafreshstart。You\'llhelpme，Laverick，won\'tyou？"
"Yes，Iwillhelpyou，"Laverickpromised。
"Youwerealwaysagoodsort，"Morrisoncontinued，"muchtoogoodforme。Itwasarottenpartnershipforyou。Wecouldneverhavepulledtogether。"
"Letthatgo，"Laverickinterrupted。"Ifyoureallymeangettingaway，thatsimplifiesmatters，ofcourse。Haveyoumadeanyplansatall？Wheredoyouwanttogo？"
"ToNewYork，"answeredMorrison；"NewYorkwouldsuitmebest。
Thereismoneytobemadethereifonehassomethingtomakeastartwith。"
"Therewillbesomemoremoneytocometoyou，"Laverickanswered，"probablyagreatdealmore。Ishallplaceouraffairsinthehandsofanaccountant，andshallhaveanestimatedrawnuptoyesterday。
Youshallhaveeverypennythatisduetoyou。Youhavequiteenough，however，togettherewith。Iwillseetoyourticketto-night，ifpossible。Whenyou\'vearrivedyoucancablemeyouraddress，oryoucandecidewhereyouwillstaybeforeyouleave，andIwillsendyouafurtherremittance。"
"You\'reagoodsort，Laverick，"Morrisonmumbled。
"You\'dbettergivemethekeyofyourrooms，"Laverickcontinued，"andIwillgobackandputtogethersomeofyourthings。Isupposeyouwillnotwantmuchtogoawaywith。Therestcanbesentonafterwards。Andwhataboutyourletters？"
Morrison，withasuddenmovement，threwhimselfalmostoutofthebed。HeclutchedatLaverick\'sshoulderfrantically。
"Don\'tgonearmyrooms，Laverick！"hebegged。"Promisemethatyouwon\'t！Idon\'twantanyletters！Idon\'twantanyofmythings！"
Laverickwasdumfounded。
"Youmeanyouwanttogoawaywithout-"
"ImeanjustwhatIhavesaid，"Morrisoncontinuedhysterically。
"Ifyougotheretheywillwatchyou，theywillfollowyou，theywillfindoutwhereIam。Ishouldbetherenowbutforthat。"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。Thematterwasbecomingserious。
"Verywell，"hesaid，"Iwilldoasyousay。Iwillnotgonearyourrooms。Iwillgetyouafewthingssomewheretostartwith。"
Morrisonsankbackuponhispillow。
"Thankyou，Laverick，"hesaid；"thankyou。Iwish-Iwish-"
Hisvoiceseemedtodieaway。Laverickglancedtowardshim，wonderingattheunfinishedsentence。Onceagaintheman\'sfaceseemedtobeconvulsedwithhorror。Heflunghimselffacedownwarduponthebedandtoreatthesheetswithbothhishands。
"Don\'tbeafool，"Lavericksaidsternly。"Ifyou\'veanythingonyourmindapartfrombusiness，tellmeaboutitandI\'lldowhatIcantohelpyou。"
Morrisonmadenoreply。Hewassobbingnowlikeachild。Laverickrosetohisfeetandwenttothewindow。Whatwastobedonewithsuchacreature！Whenhegotback，Morrisonhadraisedhimselfoncemoreintoasittingposture。Hisappearancewasabsolutelyspectral。
"Laverick，"hesaidfeebly，"thereissomethingelse，butIcannottellyou-Icannottellanyone。"
"Justasyouplease，ofcourse，"Laverickanswered。"Iamsimplyanxioustohelpyou。"
"Youcandothatasitis！"Morrisonexclaimedfeverishly。"Youmustpromisemesomething-promisethatifanyoneasksformeto-morrowbeforeIgetaway，youwillnottellthemwhereIam。
SayyousupposethatIamatmyrooms，orthatIhavegoneintothecountryforafewdays。Saythatyouareexpectingmeback。
Don\'tletanyoneknowthatIhavegoneabroad，untilIamsafelyaway。Andthendon\'ttellasoulwhereIhavegone。"
"Haveyoubeenuptoanytrickswithyourfriends？"Laverickaskedsternly。
"Ihaven\'t-IswearthatIhaven\'t，"Morrisondeclared。"It\'ssomethingquiteoutsidebusiness-quiteoutsidebusinessaltogether。"
"Verywell，"answeredLaverick，"Iwillpromisewhatyouhaveasked，then。Listen-hereisyoursisterbackagain，"headded，asheheardthetaxicabstopoutside。"Pullyourselftogetheranddon\'tfrightenhersomuch。Iamgoingdowntomeether。Ishalltellherthatyouarebetter。Tryandbuckupwhenshecomesintoseeyou。"
"I\'lldomybest，"Morrisonsaidhumbly。"Ifyouknew！Ifyouonlyknew！"
Hebegantosobagain。Lavericklefttheroomand，descendingthestairs，metthegirlinthehall。Herwhitefacequestionedhimbeforeherlipshadtimetoframethespeech。
"Yourbrotherisverymuchbetter，"Lavericksaid。"Iamsurethatyouneednotbeanxiousabouthim。"
"Iamsoglad，"shemurmured。"TheyletmeoffbutIhadtopayafine。IhadnoideabeforethatIwassoimportant。ShallIgotohimnow？"
"Onemoment，"Laverickanswered，holdingopenthedoorofthesitting-room。"MissMorrison，"hewenton，-
"MissLenevenismyname，"sheinterrupted。
"Ibegyourpardon。Yourbrotherevidentlyhassomethingonhismindapartfrombusiness。Iamafraidthathehasbeengettingintosomesortoftrouble。Idon\'tthinkthereisanyobjectinbotheringhimaboutit，butthegreatthingistogethimaway。"
"Youwillhelp？"shebegged。
"Iwillhelp，certainly，"Laverickanswered。"Ihavepromisedto。
Youmustseethatheisreadytoleavehereatseveno\'clockto-morrowmorning。HewantstogotoNewYork，andthespecialtocatchtheGermanboatwillleaveWaterloosomewhereabouteighttoeight-thirty。"
"Buthisclothes！"shecried。"Howcanhebereadybythen？"
"Yourbrotherdoesnotwishmeoranyonetogonearhisroomsortosendhimanyofhisbelongings，"Laverickcontinuedquietly。
"Buthowstrange！"thegirlexclaimed。"Doyoumeantosay，then，thatheisgoingwithoutanything？"
"Iamafraid，"Lavericksaidkindly，"thatwemusttakeitforgrantedthatyourbrotherhasgotmixedupinsomeundesirablebusinessorother。Heisnervouslyanxioustokeephiswhereaboutsanentiresecret。Hehasbeenaskingmewhetheranyonehasbeentotheofficetoinquireforhim。Underthecircumstances，Ithinkthebestthingwecandoistohumorhim。Ishallbuyhimbeforeto-morrowmorningacheapdressing-caseandaready-madesuitofclothes，andafewthingsforthevoyage。ThenIshallsendacabforyoubothatseveno\'clockandmeetyouatthestation。
"Youareverykind，"shemurmured。"WhatshouldIhavedonewithoutyou？Oh，Icannotthink！"
Theprotectiveinstinctinthemanwassuddenlystrong。Naturallyunaffectionate，hewasconsciousofanalmostovermasteringdesiretotakeherhandsinhis，eventoliftherupandkissawaythetearswhichshoneinherdeep，childlikeeyes。Heremindedhimselfthatshewasastranger，thatherappearanceofyouthwasadelusion，thatshecouldonlyconstruesuchanactionasaliberty，animpertinence，offeredundercircumstancesforwhichtherecouldbenopossibleexcuse。
Hemovedawaytowardsthedoor。
"Naturally，"hesaid，"Iamgladtobeofusetoyourbrother。Yousee，"heexplained，alittleawkwardly，"afterall，wehavebeenpartnersinbusiness。"
Hecaughtalookuponherfaceandsmiled。
"Naturally，too，"hecontinued，"ithasbeenagreatpleasureformetodoanythingtorelieveyouranxiety。"
Shegavehimherhandsthenofherownaccord。Thegratitudewhichshoneoutofherswimmingeyesseemedmingledwithsomethingwhichwasalmostinvitation。Laverickwassuddenlysweptoffhisfeet。
Somethinghadcomeintohislife-somethingabsurd，uncountedupon，incomprehensible。Theatmosphereoftheroomseemedelectrified。
Inamoment，hehaddonewhatonlyasecondortwobeforehehadtoldhimselfwouldbetheactionofacad。Hehadtakenher，unresisting，upintohisarms，kissedhereyesandlips。Afterwards，hewasneverabletorememberthosefewmomentsclearly，onlyitseemedtohimthatshehadacceptedhiscaressalmostwithouthesitation，withtheeffortlessserenityofachildreceivinganaturalconsolationinatimeoftrouble。ButLaverickwasconsciousofotherfeelingsasheleanedhardbackinthecornerofhistaxicabandwasdrivenswiftlyaway。
CHAPTERXVI
THEWAITERATTHE"BLACKPOST"
Laverick，notwithstandingthatthehourwasbecominglate，foundanoutfitter\'sshopintheStrandstillopen，andmadesuchpurchasesashecouldonMorrison\'sbehalf。Then，withthebagreadypacked，hereturnedtohisrooms。Timehadpassedquicklyduringthelastthreehours。Itwasnearlynineo\'clockwhenhesteppedoutoftheliftandopenedthedoorofhissmallsuiteofroomswiththelatchkeywhichhungfromhischain。Hebegantochangehisclothesmechanically，andhehadnearlyfinishedwhenthetelephonebelluponhistablerang。
"Who\'sthat？"heasked，takingupthereceiver。
"Hall-porter，sir，"wastheanswer。"Personherewishestoseeyouparticularly。"
"Aperson！"Laverickrepeated。"Manorwoman？"
"Man，sir。
"Bettersendhimup，"Laverickordered。
"He\'saseedy-lookinglot，sir，"theporterexplained"ItoldhimthatIscarcelythoughtyou\'dseehim。"
"Nevermind，"Laverickanswered。"Icansoongetridofthefellowifhe\'scadging。"
Hewentbacktohisroomandfinishedfasteninghistie。Hisownaffairshadsunkalittleintothebackgroundlately，buttheannouncementofthisunusualvisitorbroughtthembackintohismindwitharush。Notwithstandinghisironnerves，hisfingersshookashedrewonhisdinner-jacketandwalkedouttothepassagewaytoanswerthebellwhichrangafewsecondslater。A
manstoodoutside，dressedinshabbyblackclothes，whosefacesomehowwasfamiliartohim，althoughhecouldnot，forthemoment，placeit。
"Doyouwanttoseeme？"Laverickasked。
"Ifyouplease，Mr。Laverick，"themanreplied，"ifyoucouldsparemejustamoment。"
"Youhadbettercomeinside，then，"Lavericksaid，closingthedoorandprecedingthewayintothesitting-room。Atanyrate，therewasnothingthreateningabouttheappearanceofthisvisitor-noranythingofficial。
"Ihavetakenthelibertyofcoming，sir，"themanannounced，"toaskyouifyoucantellmewhereIcanfindMr。ArthurMorrison。"
Laverick\'sfaceshowednosignofhisrelief。Whathefelthesucceededinkeepingtohimself。
"YoumeanMorrison-mypartner，Isuppose？"heanswered。
"Ifyouplease，sir，"themanadmitted。"Iwantedawordortwowithhimmostparticular。Ifoundouthisaddressfromthecaretakerofyouroffice，buthedon\'tseemtohavebeenhometohisroomsatalllastnight，andtheyknownothingabouthimthere。"
"Yourfaceseemsfamiliartome，"Laverickremarked。"Wheredoyoucomefrom？"
Themanhesitated。
"Iamthewaiter，sir，atthe\'BlackPost，\'-littlebarandrestaurant，youknow，"headded，"justbehindyouroffices，sir，attheendofCrookedFriars\'Alley。You\'vebeeninonceortwice，Mr。Laverick，Ithink。Mr。Morrison\'saregularcustomer。
Hecomesinforadrinkmostmornings。"
Lavericknodded。
"IknewI\'dseenyourfacesomewhere，"hesaid。"WhatdoyouwantwithMr。Morrison？"
Themanwassilent。Hetwirledhishatandlookedembarrassed。
"It\'samatterIshouldn\'tliketomentiontoanyoneexceptMr。
Morrisonhimself，sir，"hedeclaredfinally。"Ifyoucouldputmeinthewayofseeinghim，I\'dbeglad。Imaysaythatitwouldbetohisadvantage，too。"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforamoment。
"Asithappens，that\'salittledifficult，"heexplained。"Mr。
MorrisonandIdisagreedonamatterofbusinesslastnight。I
undertookcertainresponsibilitieswhichheshouldhaveshared，andhearrangedtoleavethefirmandthecountryatonce。Weparted-well，notexactlythebestoffriends。IamafraidI
cannotgiveyouanyinformation。"
"Youhaven\'tseenhimsincethen，sir？"themanasked。
Laverickliedpromptlybutheliedbadly。Hisvisitorwasnotintheleastconvinced。
"IamafraidIhaven\'tmademyselfquiteplain，sir，"hesaid。
"It\'stodohimabito\'goodthatI\'mhere。I\'mnotwishinghimanyharmatall。Onthecontrary，it\'sagreatdealmoretohisadvantagetoseemethanitwillbeminetofindhim。"
"Ithink，"Lavericksuggested，"thatyouhadbetterbefrankwithme。SupposingIknewwheretocatchMorrisonbeforeheleftthecountry，Icouldeasilydealwithyouonhisbehalf。"
Themanlookeddoubtful。
"Yousee，sir，"herepliedawkwardly，"it\'samatterIwouldn\'tliketobreatheawordabouttoanyonebutMr。Morrisonhimself。
It\'s-it\'sabitserious。"
Theman\'sfacegaveweighttohiswords。Curiouslyenough，thegleamofterrorwhichLaverickcaughtinhiswhitefaceremindedhimofasimilarlookwhichhehadseeninMorrison\'seyesbarelyanhourago。Togaintime，Laverickmovedacrosstheroom，tookacigarettefromaboxandlitit。Aconvictionwasformingitselfinhismind。Therewassomethingdefinitebehindthesehystericalparoxysmsofhislatepartner，somethingofwhichthismanhadaninkling。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，throwinghimselfintoaneasychair，"Ithinkyouhadbetterbefrankwithme。ImustknowmorethanIknowatpresentbeforeIhelpyoutofindMorrison，evenifheistobefound。Wedidn\'tpartverygoodfriends，butI\'mhisfriendenough-forthesakeofothers，"headded，afteramoment\'shesitation，"todoallthatIcouldtohelphimoutofanydifficultyhemayhavestumbledinto。Soyouseethatsofarasanythingyoumayhavetosaytohimisconcerned，Ithinkyoumightaswellsayittome。"
"Youcouldn\'tseeyourway，then，sir，"themancontinueddoggedly，"totellmewhereIcouldfindMr。Morrisonhimself？"
"No，Icouldn\'t，"Laverickdecided。"EvenifIknewexactlywherehewas-andI\'mnotadmittingthat-Icouldn\'tputyouintouchwithhimunlessIknewwhatyourbusinesswas。
Theman\'seyesgleamed。Hewasatypicalwaiter-pasty-faced，unwholesome-looking-buthehadsmalleyesofagreenishcast，andtheywereexpressive。
"Ithink，sir，"hesaid，"you\'vesomeideayourself，then，thatMr。
Morrisonhasbeengettingintoabitoftrouble。"
"Wewon\'tdiscussthat，"Laverickanswered。"Youmusteithergoaway-it\'spastnineo\'clockandIhaven\'thadmydinneryet-oryoumusttreatmeasyouwouldMr。Morrison。"
Themanlookeduponthecarpetforseveralmoments。
"Verywell，sir，"hesaid，"there\'snogreatreasonwhyIshouldputmyselfoutaboutthisatall。Theonlythingis-"
Hehesitated。
"Well，goon，"Lavericksaidencouragingly。
"Ithink，"themancontinued，"thatMr。Morrison-knowing，asI
welldo，sir，thesortofgentheis-wouldbemorelikelytotalkcommonsensewithmeaboutthismatterthanyou，sir。"
"I\'llimagineI\'mMorrison，forthemoment，"Lavericksaidsmiling，"especiallyasI\'mactingforhim。"
Themanlookedaroundtheroom。Thedoorbehindhadbeenleftajar。
Hesteppedbackwardandclosedit。
"You\'llpardontheliberty，sir，"hesaid，"butthisisaseriousmatterI\'mgoingtospeakabout。I\'lljusttellyoualittlethingandyoucanformyourownconclusions。Lastnightwewasopenlateatthe\'BlackPost。\'Wekeepopen，sir，asyouknow，whenyougentlemenattheStockExchangearebusy。Aboutnineo\'clocktherewasastrangecustomercamein。Hehadtwodrinksandhesatasthoughhewerewaiting。Inabout\'arf-an-houranothergentcamein，andtheywentintoacornertogetherandseemedtobedoingsomesortofbusiness。Anyways，therewaspaperspassedbetweenthem。Iwasfairlybusyaboutthen，astherewereoneortwomorecustomersintheplace，butInoticedthesetwotalkingtogether，andInoticedthedarkgentlemanleave。Theotherswentoutafewminutesafterwards，andthegentwhohadcomefirstwasaloneintheplace。
Hesatinthecornerandhehadapocket-bookonthetablebeforehim。IhadasortofcasualglanceatitwhenIbroughthimadrink，anditseemedtomethatitwasfullofbank-notes。Hesattherejustlikeamanextradeepinthought。Justaftereleven，incameMr。Morrison。Icouldseehewasrareandputout，forhewaswhite，andshakingallover。\'Givemeadrink，Jim，\'hesaid，-\'abigbrandyandsoda，bigasyoumake\'em。"\'
Themanpausedforamomentasthoughtocollecthimself。Laverickwassuddenlyconsciousofastrangethrillcreepingthroughhispulses。
"Goon，"hesaid。"Thatwasafterheleftme。Goon。"
"Hewasquiteclosetotheothergent，Mr。Morrisonwas，"thewaitercontinued，"buttheydidn\'tsaynowttoeachother。AllofasuddenIseeMr。Morrisonsetdownhisglassandstareattheotherchapasthoughhe\'dseensomethingthathadgivenhimaturn。Ileanedoverthecounterandhadalook，too。Therehesat-thistall，fairchapwhohadbeenintheplacesolong-withhisbigpocket-bookonthetableinfrontofhim，andevenfromwhereIwasIcouldseethattherewasagreatpileofbank-notesstickingoutfromit。AllofasuddenhelooksupandseesMr。Morrisona-watchinghimandmefrombehindthecounter。Backhewhisksthepocket-bookintohispocket，callsmeformybill，givesmetwomouldypenniesforatip，buttonsuphiscoatandwalksout。"
"Youknowwhohewas？"Laverickinquired。
Againthewaiterpausedforamomentbeforeheanswered-pausedandlookednervouslyaroundtheroom。Hisvoiceshook。
"Hewasthemanaswasmurderedaboutahundredyardsoffthe\'BlackPost\'lastnight，sir，"hesaid。
"Howdoyouknow？"Laverickasked。
"Igotanhouroffto-day，"thewaitercontinued，"andwentdowntotheMortuary。Therewasnodoubtaboutit。Therehewas-samechap，sameclothes。Icouldsweartohimanywhere，andIreckonI\'11havetoattheinquest。"
Laverick\'scigaretteburnedawaybetweenhisfingers。Itseemedtohimthathewasnolongerintheroom。HewaslisteningtoBigBenstrikingthehour，hewasbackagaininthattinylittlebedroomwithitsspotlesssheetsandlacecurtains。Themanonthebedwaslookingathim。Laverickrememberedthelookandshivered。
"WhathasthistodowithMorrison？"hedemanded。
Oncemorethewaiterlookedaroundinthathalfmysterious，halfterrifiedway。
"Mr。Morrison，sir，"hesaid，droppinghisvoicetoahoarsewhisper，"hefollowedtheotherchapoutwithinthirtyseconds。Asortofqueerlookhe\'dgotinhisfacetoo，andhewentoutwithoutpayingme。I\'vereadthepapersprettycareful，sir，"themanwenton，"butIain\'tseennowordofthatpocket-bookofbank-notesbeingfoundonthemanaswasmurdered。"
Laverickthrewtheendofhisburningcigaretteaway。Hewalkedtothewindow，keepinghisbackdeliberatelyturnedonhisvisitor。
HiseyesfollowedtheglitteringarcoflightswhichfringedtheThamesEmbankment，werecaughtbytheflaringsky-signontheothersideoftheriver。Hefelthisheartbeatingwithunaccustomedvigor。
Wasthis，then，thesecretofMorrison\'sterror？Hewonderednolongerathiscollapse。Theterrorwasuponhim，too。Hefelthisforehead，andhishand，whenhedrewitaway，waswet。ItwasnotMorrisonalonebuthehimselfwhomightbeimplicatedinthisman\'sknowledge。Thethoughtsflittedthroughhisbrainlikepartsofanightmare。HesawMorrisonarrested，hesawthewholestoryofthemissingpocket-bookinthepapers，heimaginedhisbankmanagerreadingitandthinkingofthatparcelofmysteriousbank-notesdepositedinhiskeepingonthemorningafterthetragedy……
Laverickwasastrongman，andhismomentofweakness，poignantthoughithadbeen，passed。Thiswasnonewthingwithwhichhewasconfronted。Allthetimehehadknownthattheprobabilitieswereinfavorofsuchadiscovery。Hesethisteethandturnedtofacehisvisitor。
"Thisisaveryseriousthingwhichyouhavetoldme，"hesaid。
"Haveyouspokenaboutittoanyoneelse？"
"Notasoul，sir，"themananswered。"IthoughtitbesttohaveawordortwofirstwithMr。Morrison。"
"Youwerethinkingofattendingtheinquest，"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。"Thepolicewouldthankyouforyourevidence，andthere，Isuppose，thematterwouldend。"
"You\'vehititprecisely，sir，"themanadmitted。"Therethematterwouldend。"
"Ontheotherhand，"Laverickcontinued，speakingasthoughhewerereasoningthismatterouttohimself，"supposingyoudecidednottomeddleinanaffairwhichdoesnotconcernyou，supposingyouwerenotsureastotheidentityofyourcustomerlastnight，andbeingalittletiredyoucouldnotrightlyrememberwhetherMr。Morrisoncalledinforadrinkornot，andso，tocutthemattershort，youdismissedthewholematterfromyourmindandlettheinquesttakeitsowncourse，-Laverickpaused。Hisvisitorscratchedthesideofhischinandnodded。
"You\'veputthismatterplainly，sir，"hesaid，"inwhatIcallanunderstandable，straightforwardway。I\'mapoorman-I\'vebeenapoormanallmylife-andI\'veneverseedachancebeforeofgettingawayfromit。Iseeonenow。"
"Youwanttodothebestyoucanforyourself？"
"So\'elpmeGod，sir，Ido！"themanagreed。
Lavericknodded。
"Youhavedonearemarkablywisething，"hesaid，"incomingtomeandintellingmeaboutthisaffair。TheideaofconnectingMr。
Morrisonwiththemurderwould，ofcourse，beridiculous，but，ontheotherhand，itwouldbeverydisagreeabletohimtohavehisnamementionedinconnectionwithit。Youhavebehaveddiscreetly，andyouhavedoneMr。Morrisonaserviceintryingtofindhimout。
YouwilldohimafurtherservicebyadoptingthesecondcourseI
suggestedwithregardtotheinquest。Whatdoyouconsiderthatserviceisworth？"
"Itdepends，sir，"themanansweredquietly，"atwhatpriceMr。
Morrisonvalueshislife！"
CHAPTERXVII
THEPRICEOFSILENCE
Theman\'smannerwasexpressive。Laverickrepeatedhisphrase，frowning。
"Hislife！"
"Yes，sir！"
Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
"Come，"hedeclared，"youmustnotgotoofarwiththisthing。I
haveadmitted，soastoclearthewayforanythingyouhavetosay，thatMr。Morrisonwouldnotcaretohavehisnamementionedinconnectionwiththisaffair。Butbecauseheleftyourbarafewminutesafterthemurderedman，itissheerfollytoassumethatthereforeheisnecessarilyimplicatedinhisdeath。Icannotconceiveanythingmoreunlikely。"
Themansmiled-aslow，uncomfortablesmilewhichsuggestedmirthlessthananythingintheworld。
"Thereareafewotherthings，sir，"heremarked，-"oneinespecial。"
"Well？"Laverickinquired。"Let\'shaveit。Youhadbettertellmeeverythingthatisinyourmind。"
"Themanwasstabbedwithahorn-handledknife。"
"Irememberreadingthat，"Laverickadmitted。
"Well？"
"Theknifewasmine，"hisvisitoraffirmed，droppinghisvoiceoncemoretoawhisper。"Itlayontheedgeofthecounter，closetowhereMr。Morrisonwasleaning，andassoonashe\'dgoneImissedit。"
Laverickwassilent。Whatwastheretobesaid？
"Horn-handledknives，"hemuttered，"arenotrarenotuncommonthings。"
"Onedon\'tpossessaknifeforamatterofeightornineyearswithoutbeingabletosweartoit，"theotherremarkeddryly。
"Isthereanythingmore？"
"Theredon\'tneedtobe，"wasthequietreply。"Youknowthat，sir。
SodoI。Theredon\'tneedtobeanymoreevidencethanminetosendMr。Morrisontothegallows。"
"Wewillwaivethatpoint，"Laverickdeclared。"Thejurysometimesareveryhardtoconvincebycircumstantialevidencealone。However，asIhavesaid，letuswaivethatpoint。Yourpositionisclearenough。Yougototheinquest，youtellallyouknow，andyougetnothing。Youareapoorman，youhaveworkedhardallyourlife。
Thechancehascomeinyourwaytodoyourselfalittlegood。Nowtakemyadvice。Don\'tspoilitallbyaskingforanythingridiculous。
Itwon\'tdoforyoutocomeintoafortuneafewdaysafterthisaffair，especiallyifitevercomesoutthatthemurderedmanwasinyourplace。IamheretoactforMr。Morrison。Whatisitthatyouwant？"
"Youaretalkinglikeagent，sir，"themansaid，-"likeasensiblegent，too。I\'dhavetokeepitquiet，ofcourse，thatI\'dcomeintoabitofmoney，-justatpresent，atanyrate。Icouldeasyfindanexcuseforchangingmyjob-perhapsgetawayfromLondonaltogether。I\'vegotafewpoundssavedandI\'vealwayswantedtoopenabankingaccount。Agentlikeyou，perhaps，couldputmeinthewayofdoingit。"
"Howmuchdoyouconsiderwouldbeasatisfactorybalancetocommencewith？"Laverickasked。
"Iwasthinkingofathousandpounds，sir。"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
"Bytheway，whatisyourname？"heinquiredatlast。
"JamesShepherd，sir，"themananswered，-"generallycalledJim，sir。"
"Well，yousee，Shepherd，"Laverickcontinued，"thedifficultyis，inyourcase，asinallsimilarones，thatoneneverknowswherethethingwillend。Athousandpoundsisaconsiderablesum，butinfouramounts，withthreemonthsintervalbetweeneach，itcouldbearranged。Thiswouldbebetterforyou，inanycase。Twohundredandfiftypoundsisnotanunheard-ofsumforyoutohavesavedorgottogether。Afterthatyourinvestmentswouldbemylookout，andtheywouldproduce，asIhavesaid，anothersevenhundredandfiftypounds。ButwhatsecurityhaveI-hasMr。
Morrison，letussay-thatyouwillbecontentwiththissum？"
"Hehasn\'tany，sir，"themanadmittedatonce。"Hecouldn\'thaveany。I\'mamodest-livingman，andI\'venodesiretogoshoutingaroundthatI\'mindependentallofasudden。Thatwouldn\'tdonohow。AthousandpoundswouldbringmeinnearenoughapoundaweekifIinvestedit，ortwopoundsaweekforanannuity，myhealthbeingnonetoogood。I\'venowifeorchildren，sir。Iwasthinkingofanannuity。WithtwopoundsaweekI\'dhavenocausetotroubleanyoneagain。"
Laverickconsidered。
"Itshallbedone，"hesaid。"To-morrowIshallbuysharesforyoutotheextentoftwohundredandfiftypounds。Theywillbedepositedinabank。Somedayyoucanlookinandseeme，andI
willtakeyouroundthere。Youaremyclientwhohasspeculatedundermyinstructionssuccessfully，andyouwillsignyournameandbecomeacustomer。Afterthat，youwillspeculateagain。
Whenyourthousandpoundshasbeenmade，Iwillshowyouhowtobuyanannuity。Keepyourmouthshut，andlastnightwillbetheluckiestnightofyourlife。Doyoudrink？"
"Adroportwo，sir，"themanadmitted。"IfIdidn\'t，IguessI\'dgooffmychump。"
"Doyoutalkwhenyou\'redrunk？"Laverickasked。
"Never，sir，"themandeclared。"I\'veawayofgettingadroptoomuchwhenI\'mbymyself。ThenItumblesofftosleepandthat\'stheendofit。I\'venofancyforcompanyatsuchtimes。"
"It\'sagoodthing，"Laverickremarked，thrustinghishandintohispocket。"Here\'safive-poundnoteonaccount。Idaresayyoucanmanagetokeepsoberto-night，atanyrate。That\'sall，isn\'tit？"
"That\'sall，sir，"themananswered，"unlessImightmakesoboldastoaskwhetherMr。Morrisonhasreallyhookedit？"
"Mr。Morrisonhaddecidedtohookit，asyougraphicallysay，beforehecameinforthatdrinktoyourbar，Shepherd，"Laverickaffirmed。
"Businesshadbeennonetoogoodwithus，andwehadhadadisagreement。"
Themannodded。
"Isee，sir，"hesaid，takinguphishat。"Goodnight，sir！"
"Goodnight！"Laverickanswered。"Youcanfindyourwaydown？"
"Quitewell，sir，andthankyou，"declaredMr。Shepherd，closingthedoorsoftlybehindhim。
Lavericksatdowninhischair。Hehadforgottenthathewashungry。
Hewasfacednowwithanewtragedy。
CHAPTERXVIII
THELONELYCHORUSGIRL
Theystoodtogetherupontheplatformwatchingtherecedingtrain。
Thegirl\'seyeswerefilledwithtears，butLaverickwasconsciousofasenseofimmenserelief。Morrisonhadbeenatthestationsometimebeforethetrainwasduetoleave，and，althoughaphysicalwreck，heseemedonlytooanxioustodepart。Hehadalltheappearanceofabroken-spiritedman。Helookedabouthimontheplatform，andevenfromthecarriage，inthefurtivewayofacriminalexpectingapprehensionatanymoment。ThewhistleofthetrainhadbeenareliefasgreattohimastoLaverick。
We\'11writeyoutoNewYork，careofBarclays，"Laverickcalledout。
"Goodluck，Morrison！Pullyourselftog-etherandmakeafreshstart。
"Morrison\'sonlyreplywasasomewhatfeeblenod。Laverickhadnotattemptedtoshakehands。Hefelthimselfatthelastmoment，stirredalmosttoangerbytheperfunctoryfarewellwhichwasallthismanhadofferedtothegirlhehadtreatedsoinconsiderately。
Histhoughtswereengrosseduponhimselfandhisowndanger。Hewouldnotevenhavekissedherifshehadnotdrawnhisfacedowntohersandwhisperedareassuringlittlemessage。Laverickturnedaway。Forsomereasonorotherhefelthimselfshuddering。
Conversationduringthoselastfewmomentshadbeenincreasinglydifficult。Thetrainwasoffatlast，however，andtheywerealone。
Thegirldrewalongbreath，whichmightverywellhavebeenoneofrelief。Theyturnedsilentlytowardtheexit。
"Areyougoingbackhome？"Laverickasked。
"Yes，"sheansweredlistlessly。"Thereisnothingelsetodo。"
"Isn\'titrathersadforyoutherebyyourself？"
Shenodded。
"Itisthefirsttime，"shesaid。"Anothergirlandhermotherhavelivedwithmealways。Theystartedofflastweek，touring。
TheyarepayingalittletowardthehouseorIshouldhavetogointorooms。Asitis，Ithinkthatitwouldbemorecomfortable。"
Lavericklookedatherwonderingly。
"Youseemsuchachild，"hesaid，"tobeleftallaloneintheworldlikethis。"
"ButIamnotachildactually，yousee，"sheanswered，withaneffortatlightness。"Somehow，though，IdomissArthur\'sgoing。
Hisfatherwasalwaysverygoodtome，andmadehimpromisethathewoulddowhathecould。Ididn\'tseemuchofhim，butonefeltalwaysthattherewassomebody。It\'sdifferentnow。Itmakesonefeelverylonely。"
"I，too，"Lavericksaid，withcommendablemendacity，"amratheralonelyperson。Youmustletmeseesomethingofyounowandthen。"
Shelookedupathimquickly。Hergazewasaltogetherdisingenuous，buthereyes-thosewonderfuleyes-spokevolumes。
"Ifyoureallymeanit，"shesaid，"Ishouldbesoglad。"
"Supposingwestartto-day，"hesuggested，smiling。"Icannotaskyoutolunch，asIhaveabusydaybeforeme，butwemighthavedinnertogetherquiteearly。ThenIwouldtakeyoutothetheatreandmeetyouafterwards，ifyouliked。"
"IfIliked！"shewhispered。"Oh，howgoodyouare。"
"Iamnotatallsureaboutthat。NowI\'llputyouinthistaxiandsendyouhome。"
Shelaughed。
"Youmustn\'tdoanythingsoextravagant。Icangeta\'busjustoutside。Ineverhavetaxicabs。"
"Justthismorning，"heinsisted，"andIthinkhewon\'ttroubleyouforhisfare。Youmustletme，please。Rememberthatthere\'salargeaccountopenstillbetweenyourhalf-brotherandme，soyouneedn\'tmindthesetrifles。Tillthisevening，then。ShallI
fetchyouorwillyoucometome？"
"Letmefetchyou，ifImay，"shesaid。"Itisn\'tniceforyoutocomedowntowhereIlive。It\'ssuchahorridpart。"
"Justasyoulike，"heanswered。"I\'dbeverygladtofetchyouifyoupreferit，butitwouldgivememoretimeifyoucame。Shallwesayseveno\'clock？I\'vewrittentheaddressdownonthiscardsothatyoucanmakenomistake。"
Shelaughedgayly。
"Youknow，allthetime，"shesaid，"IfeelthatyouaretreatingmeasthoughIwereababy。I\'llbetherepunctually，andIdon\'tthinkIneedtiethecardaroundmyneck。"
Thecabglidedoff。Laverickcaughtaglimpseofawanlittlefacewithafaintsmilequiveringatthecornerofherlipsassheleanedoutforamomenttosaygood-bye。Thenhewentbacktohisrooms，breakfasted，andmadehiswaytohisoffice。
ThemorningpapershadnothingnewtoreportconcerningthemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alley。Evidentlywhatinformationthepolicehadobtainedtheywerekeepingfortheinquest。Laverick，fromthemomentwhenheenteredtheoffice，hadlittleornotimetothinkofthetragedyunderwhoseshadowhehadcome。Thelong-predictedboomhadarrivedatlast。Withoutlunch，heandallhisclerksworkeduntilaftersixo\'clock。EventhenLaverickfoundithardtoleave。Duringtheday，adozenpeopleorsohadbeenintoaskforMorrison。Toallofthemhehadgiventhesamereply，-Morrisonhadgoneabroadonprivatebusinessforthefirm。VeryfewweredeceivedbyLaverick\'sdrystatement。Hewasquiteawarethathewaslookeduponeitherasoneoftheluckiestmenonearth，orasafinancierofconsummateskill。ThefailureofLaverick&Morrisonhadbeenlookeduponasacertainty。Howtheyhadtidedoverthattwenty-fourhourshadbeenknowntonoone-tonoonebutLaverickhimselfandthemanagerofhisbank。
Justbeforefouro\'clock，thetelephonerangathiselbow。
"Mr。Fenwickfromthebank，sir，iswishingtospeaktoyouforamoment，"hishead-clerkannounced。
Lavericktookupthetelephone。
"Yes，"hesaid，"IamLaverick。Goodafternoon，Mr。Fenwick！
Absolutelyimpossibletospareanytimeto-day。Whatisit？Theaccountisallright，isn\'tit？"
"Quiteright，Mr。Laverick，"wastheanswer。"Atthesametime，ifyoucouldsparemeamomentIshouldbegladtoseeyouconcerningthedeposityoumadeyesterday。"
"Iwillcomeinto-morrow，"Laverickpromised。"Thisafternoonitisquiteoutofthequestion。Ihaveacrowdofpeoplewaitingtoseeme，andseveralimportantengagementsforwhichIamlatealready。"
Thebankerseemedscarcelysatisfied。
"Imayrelyuponseeingyouto-morrow？"hepressed。
"To-morrow，"Laverickrepeated，ringingoff。
Foratimethislastmessagetroubledhim。Assoonastheday\'sworkwasover，however，andhesteppedintohiscab，hedismisseditentirelyfromhisthoughts。Itwascurioushow，notwithstandingthisnewseriousnesswhichhadcomeintohislife，notwithstandingthatsensationofwalkingallthetimeonthebrinkofaprecipice，hesethisfacehomewardandlookedforwardtohisevening，withapleasurewhichhehadnotfeltformanymonths。Thewhirlofthedayfadedeasilyfromhismind。Helivednomoreinanatmosphereofwildexcitement，ofchangingprices，offeverishanxiety。Howemptyhislifemusthaveunconsciouslygrownthathecouldfindsomuchpleasureinbeingkindtoaprettychild！Itwashardtothinkofherotherwise-impossible。Astrangeheritage，this，tohavebeenlefthimbysuchapersonasArthurMorrison。Howintheworld，hewondered，didhehappentohavesuchaconnection。
Shewasalittleshywhenshearrived。Laverickhadleftspecialordersdownstairs，andshewasbroughtupintohissitting-roomimmediately。Shewasveryquietlydressedexceptforherhat，whichwaslargeandwavy。Hefounditbecoming，butheknewenoughtounderstandthatherclotheswereverysimpleandveryinexpensive，andhewasconsciousofbeingcuriouslygladofthefact。
"Iamafraid，"shesaidtimidly，withaglanceathiseveningattire，"thatwemustgosomewhereveryquiet。Yousee，IhaveonlyoneeveninggownandIcouldn\'twearthat。Therewouldn\'tbetimetochangeafterwards。Besides，one\'sclothesdogetsoknockedaboutinthedressing-rooms。"
"Thereareheapsofplaceswecangoto，"heassuredherpleasantly。
"Ofcourseyoucan\'t，dressfortheeveningwhenyouhavetogoontowork，butyoumustrememberthatthereareagoodmanyothersmartyoungladiesinthesameposition。IhadtochangebecauseI
havetakenastalltoseeyourperformance。Tellme，howareyoufeelingnow？"
"Ratherlonely，"sheadmitted，makingapatheticlittlegrimace。
"ThatistosayIhavebeenfeelinglonely，"sheaddedsoftly。"I
don\'tnow，ofcourse。
"Youareaqueerlittleperson，"hesaidkindly，astheywentdowninthelift。"Haven\'tyouanyfriends？"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
"WhatsortoffriendscouldIhave？"sheasked。"Thegirlsinthechoruswithmeareverynice，someofthem，buttheyknowsomanypeoplewhomIdon\'t，andtheyarealwaysouttosupper，orsomethingofthesort。"
"Andyou？"
Sheshookherhead。
"Iwenttoonesupper-partywiththegirlwhoisnearme，"shesaid。
"Ilikeditverymuch，buttheydidn\'taskmeagain。"
"Iwonderwhy？"heremarked。
"Oh，Idon\'tknow！"shewentondrearily。"Yousee，Ithinkthemenwhotakeoutgirlswhoareinthechorus，generallyexpecttobeallowedtomakelovetothem。Atanyrate，theybehavedlikethat。SuchahorridmantriedtosaynicethingstomeandIdidn\'tlikeitabit。Sotheyleftmealoneafterwards。ThegirlIlivedwithandhermotherarequitenice，andtheyhaveafewfriendswegotoseesometimesonSundayorholidays。It\'sdull，though，verydull，especiallynowthey\'reaway。"
"Whatonearthmadeyouthinkofgoingonthestageatall？"heasked。
"Whatcouldonedo？"sheanswered。"Mymother\'smoneydiedwithher-shehadonlyanannuity-andmystepfather，whohadpromisedtolookafterme，lostallhismoneyanddiedquitesuddenly。Arthurwasinastockbroker\'sofficeandhecouldn\'tsaveanything。Myonlyfriendwasmyoldmusic-master，andhehadgivenupteachingandwasdirectoroftheorchestraattheUniversal。Allhecoulddoformewastogetmeaplaceinthechorus。Ihavebeenthereeversince。
TheykeeponpromisingmealittlepartbutInevergetit。It\'salwayslikethatintheatres。Youhavetobeafavoriteofthemanager\'s，forsomereasonorother，oryounevergetyourchanceunlessyouareunusuallylucky。"
"Idon\'tknowmuchabouttheatres，"headmitted。"IamafraidIamratherastupidperson。WhenIcangetawayfromworkIgointothecountryandplaycricketorgolf，oranythingthat\'sgoing。
WhenIamupintown，Iamgenerallycontentwithlookingupafewfriends，orplayingbridgeattheclub。Ineverhavebeenatheatre-goer。
"Iwonder，"sheasked，astheyseatedthemselvesatasmallroundtableintherestaurantwhichhehadchosen，-"Iwonderwhyeverynowandthenyoulooksoserious。"
"Ididn\'tknowthatIdid，"heanswered。"We\'vehadthunderinghardtimeslatelyinbusiness，though。Isupposethatmakesamanlookthoughtful。"
"PoorMr。Laverick，"shemurmuredsoftly。"Arethingsanybetternow？"
"Muchbetter。"
"Thenyouhavenothingreallytobotheryou？"shepersisted。
"Isupposeweallhavesomething，"hereplied，suddenlygrave。
"Whydoyouaskthat？"
Sheleanedacrossthetable。Intheshadedlight，herovalfacewithitslittlehaloofdeepbrownhairseemedtohimasthoughitmighthavebelongedtosomeoldminiature。Shewasdelightful，likeWatteau-workuponapieceofpricelessporcelain-delightfulwhenthelightsplayedinhereyesandthesmilequiveredatthecornerofherlips。Justnow，however，shebecameverymuchinearnest。
"IwilltellyouwhyIaskthatquestion，"shesaid。"IcannothelpworryingstillaboutArthur。Youknowyouadmittedlastnightthathehaddonesomething。Yousawhowterriblyfrightenedhewasthismorning，andhowhekeptonlookingaroundasthoughhewereafraidthathewouldseesomebodywhomhewishedtoavoid。
Oh！Idon\'twanttoworryyou，"shewenton，"butIfeelsoterrifiedsometimes。Ifeelthathemusthavedonesomething-bad。
Itwasnotanordinarybusinesstroublewhichtookthelifeoutofhimsocompletely。"
"Itwasnot，"Laverickadmittedatonce。"Hehasdonesomething，I
believe，quitefoolish；butthematterisinmyhandstoarrange，andIthinkyoucanassureyourselfthatnothingwillcomeofit。"
"Didyoutellhimsothismorning？"sheaskedeagerly。
"Ididnot，"heanswered。"Itoldhimnothing。Formanyreasonsitwasbettertokeephimignorant。HeandImightnothaveseenthingsthesameway，andIamsurethatwhatIamdoingisforthebest。IfIwereyou，MissLeneveu，IthinkIwouldn\'tworryanymore。SoonyouwillhearfromyourbrotherthatheissafeinNewYork，andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthatthetroublewillnevercometoanythingserious。"
"Whyhaveyoubeensokindtohim？"sheaskedtimidly。"Fromwhathesaid，Idonotthinkthathewasveryusefultoyou，and，indeed，youandhearesodifferent。"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。
"Tobehonest，"hesaid，"IthinkthatIshouldnothavetakensomuchtroubleforhissakealone。Yousee，"hecontinued，smiling，"youareratheradelightfulyoungperson，andyouwereveryanxious，weren\'tyou？"
Herhandcameacrossthetable-animpulsivelittlegesture，whichheneverthelessfoundperfectlynaturalanddelightful。Hetookitintohis，andwouldhaveraisedthefingerstohislipsbutforthewaiterswhowerehoveringaround。
"Youaresokind，"shesaid，"andIamsofortunate。IthinkthatIwantedafriend。"
"Youpoorchild，"heanswered，"Ishouldthinkyoudid。Youarenotdrinkingyourwine。"
Sheshookherhead。
"Doyoumind？"sheasked。"AverylittlegetsintomyheadbecauseItakeitsoseldom，andthemanageriscrossifonemakestheleastbitofamistake。Besides，IdonotthinkthatIliketodrinkwine。Ifonedoesnottakeitatall，thereisanexcuseforneverhavinganythingwhenthegirlsaskyou。"
Henoddedsympathetically。
"Ibelieveyouarequiteright，"hesaid；"inageneralway，atanyrate。Well，Iwilldrinkbymyselftoyourbrother\'ssafearrivalinNewYork。Areyouready？"
Sheglancedattheclock。
"Imustbethereinaquarterofanhour，"shetoldhim。
"Iwilldriveyoutothetheatre，"hesaid，"andthengoroundandfetchmyticket。"
Ashewaitedforherinthereceptionhalloftherestaurant，hetookaneveningpaperfromthestall。Abriefparagraphatonceattractedhisattention。
MurderintheCity-Weunderstandthatveryimportantinformationhascomeintothehandsofthepolice。AnARRESTisexpectedto-nightorto-morrowatthelatest。
Hecrushedthepaperinhishandandthrewitononeside。Itwastheusualsortofthing。Therewasnothingtheycouldhavefoundout-nothing，hetoldhimself。
