下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERXIX
MYSTERIOUSINQUIRIES
Assoonashehadgonethroughhislettersonthefollowingmorning，Laverick，inresponsetoasecondandmoreurgentmessage，wentroundtohisbank。Mr。Fenwickgreetedhimgravely。Hewasfeelingkeenlytheresponsibilitiesofhisposition。Justhowmuchtosayandhowmuchtoleaveunsaidwasaquestionwhichcalledforafullmeasureofdiplomacy。
"Youunderstand，Mr。Laverick，"hebegan，"thatIwishedtoseeyouwithregardtothearrangementwecametothedaybeforeyesterday。"
Lavericknodded。Itsuitedhimtoremainmonosyllabic。
"Well？"heasked。
"Thearrangement，ofcourse，wasmostunusual，"themanagercontinued。
"Iagreedtoitasyouwereanoldcustomerandthematterwasanurgentone。"
"Idonotquitefollowyou，"Laverickremarked，frowning。"Whatisityouwishmetodo？Withdrawmyaccount？"
"Notintheleast，"themanageransweredhastily。
"Youknowthepositionofourmarket，ofcourse，"Laverickwenton。
"ThreedaysagoIwasinasituationwhichmighthavebeencalleddesperate。Icouldquiteunderstandthatyouneededsecuritytogoonmakingthenecessarypaymentsonmybehalf。To-day，thingsareentirelydifferent。Iamtwentythousandpoundsbetteroff，andifnecessaryIcouldrealizesufficienttopayoffthewholeofmyoverdraftwithinhalf-an-hour。ThatIdonotdosoissimplyamatterofpolicyandprices。"
"Iquiteunderstandthat，mydearMr。Laverick，"thebankmanagerdeclared。"Thepositionissimplythis。Wehavehadamostunusualandastrictlyprivateinquiry，ofanaturewhichIcannotdivulgetoyou，askingwhetheranylargesuminfivehundredpoundbanknoteshasbeenpassedthroughouraccountduringthelastfewdays。"
"Youhaveactuallyhadthisinquiry？"Laverickaskedcalmly。
"Wehave。Icantellyounomore。Thesourceoftheinquirywas，inasense，amazing。"
"MayIaskwhatyourreplywas？"
"Myreplywas，"Mr。Fenwicksaidslowly，"thatnosuchnoteshadpassedthroughouraccount。Weaskedthem，however，withoutgivinganyreasons，torepeattheirquestioninafewdays\'time。Ourreplywasperfectlytruthful。Owingtoyourpeculiarstipulations，wearesimplyholdingacertainpacketforyouinoursecuritychamber。Weknowittocontainbank-notes，andthereisverylittledoubtbutthatitcontainsthenoteswhichhavebeenthesubjectofthisinquiry。Iwanttoaskyou，Mr。Laverick，tobesogoodastoopenthatpacket，letmecreditthenotestoyouraccountintheusualway，andleavemefreetoreplyasIoughttohavedoneinthefirstinstancetothisinquiry。"
"Thecoursewhichyousuggest，"repliedtheother，"isonewhichI
absolutelydeclinetotake。Itisnotformetotellyouthenatureoftherelationswhichshouldexistbetweenabankerandhisclient。
AllthatIcansayisthatthosenotesaredepositedwithyouandmustremainondeposit，andthatthetransactionisonewhichmustbetreatedentirelyasaconfidentialone。Ifyoudeclinetodothis，Imustremovemyaccount，inwhichcaseIshall，ofcourse，takethepacketawaywithme。Tobeplainwithyou，Mr。Fenwick，"
hewoundup，"Idonotintendtomakeuseofthosenotes，Ineverintendedtodoso。Isimplydepositedthemassecurityuntiltheturninpriceof\'Unions\'came。
"Itisaverynicepoint，Mr。Laverick，"thebankmanagerremarked。
"Ishouldconsiderthatyouhadalreadymadeuseofthem。"
"Everyonetohisownconscience，"Laverickansweredcalmly。
"Youplacemeinaveryembarrassingposition，Mr。Laverick。"
"Icannotadmitthatatall，"Laverickreplied。"Thereisonlyoneinquirywhichyoucouldhavehadwhichcouldjustifyyouininsistinguponwhatyouhavesuggested。Itemanated，Ipresume，fromScotlandYard？"
"Ifithad，"Mr。Fenwickanswered，"noconsiderationsofetiquettewouldhaveintervenedatall。Ishouldhavefeltitmydutytohaverevealedatoncethefactofyourdeposit。Atthesametime，theinquirycomesfromanevenmoreimportantsource，-asourcewhichcannotbeignored。"
Laverickthoughtforamoment。
"Afterall，thematterisaverysimpleone，"hedeclared。"Byfouro\'clockthisafternoonmyaccountshallbewithinitslimits。
Youwillthenautomaticallyrestoretomethepacketwhichyouholdonmybehalf，andthepossessionofwhichseemstoembarrassyou。"
"Ifyoudonotmind，"thebankeranswered，"Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtakeitwithyou。Itmeans，Ithink，amatterofsixorseventhousandpoundsaddedtoyouroverdraft，butasatemporarythingwewillpassthat。"
"Asyouwill，"Laverickassentedcarelessly。"Thechargeofthosedocumentsisatrustwithmeaswellaswithyourself。IhavenodoubtthatIcanarrangefortheirbeingheldinasecureplaceelsewhere。"
Theusualformalitiesweregonethrough，andLaverickleftthebankwiththebrownleatherpocket-bookinhisbreast-coatpocket。
Arrivedathisoffice，helockeditupatonceinhisprivatesafeandproceededwiththeusualbusinessoftheday。Evenwithanaddedstaffofclerks，theofficewasalmostinanuproar。Laverickthrewhimselfintothestrugglewithawhole-hearteddesiretoescapefromtheseunpleasantmemories。Hesucceededperfectly。Itwastwohoursbeforehewasabletositdownevenforamoment。Hishead-clerk，almostasexhausted，followedhimintohisroom。
"Iforgottotellyou，sir，"heannounced，"thattheresamanoutside-Mr。Shepherdwashisname，Ibelieve-saidhehadasmallinvestmenttomakewhichyoupromisedtolookafterpersonally。Hewouldinsistonseeingyou-saidhewasawaiteratarestaurantwhichyouvisitedsometimes。"
"That\'sallright，"Laverickdeclared。"Youcanshowhimin。We\'llprobablygivehimAmericanrails。"
"Can\'tweattendtoitintheofficeforyou，sir？"theclerkasked。
"Isupposeit\'sonlyamatterofafewhundreds。"
"Lessthanthat，probably，butIpromisedthefellowI\'dlookafteritmyself。Sendhimin，Scropes。"
TherewasabriefdelayandthenMr。Shepherdwasannounced。
Laverick，whowassittingwithhiscoatoff，smokingawell-earnedcigarette，lookedupandnoddedtohisvisitorasthedoorwasclosed。
"Sorrytokeepyouwaiting，"heremarked。"We\'rehavingabitofarush。"
ThemanlaiddownhishatandcameuptoLaverick\'sside。
"Iguessthat，sir，"hesaid，"fromthenumberofpeoplewe\'vehadinthe\'BlackPost\'to-day，andthewaythey\'veallbeenshoutingandtalking。Theydon\'tseemtoeatmuchthesedays，butthere\'ssomeofthemcanshiftthedrink。"
"I\'vegotsomesoundstockslookedoutforyou，"Laverickremarked，"twohundredandfiftypounds\'worth。Ifyou\'lljustapprovethatlistasamatterofform，"headded，pushingapieceofpaperacross，"youcancomeinto-morrowandhavethecertificates。Ishalltellthemtodebitthepurchasemoneytomyprivateaccount，sothatifanyoneasksyouanything，youcansaythatyoupaidmeforthem。"
"I\'msureI\'mmuchobliged，sir，"themansaid。"Totellyouthetruth，"hewenton，"I\'vehadabitofascareto-day。"
Lavericklookedupquickly。
"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemanded。
"MayIsitdown，sir？I\'mabitwornout。I\'vebeenonthegosincehalf-pastten。"
Lavericknoddedandpointedtoachair。Shepherdbroughtituptothesideofthetableandleanedforward。
"There\'sbeentwomeninto-day，"hesaid，"askingquestions。TheywantedtoknowhowmanycustomersIhadthereonMondaynight，andcouldIdescribethem。WasthereanyoneIrecognized，andsoon。"
"Whatdidyousay？"
"IdeclaredIcouldn\'trememberanyone。Tothebestofmyrecollection，Itoldthem，therewasnooneservedatallafterteno\'clock。Iwouldn\'tsayforcertain-itlookedasthoughImighthavehadareason。"
"Andweretheysatisfied？"
"Idon\'tthinktheywere，"Shepherdadmitted。"Notaltogether，thatistosay。"
"Didtheymentionanynames？"askedLaverick-"Morrison\'s，forinstance？Didtheywanttoknowwhetherhewasaregularcustomer？"
"Theydidn\'tmentionnonamesatall，sir，"themananswered，"buttheydidbegintoaskquestionsaboutmyregularclients。Fortunatelike，theplacewassocrowdedthatIhadeveryexcusefornotpayinganytoomuchattentiontothem。ItwasallIcoulddotokeepongettingordersattendedto。"
"Whatsortofmenwerethey？"Laverickasked。"Doyouthinkthattheycamefromthepolice？"
"Ishouldn\'thavesaidso，"Shepherdreplied，"butonecan\'ttell，andthesegentlemenfromScotlandYarddomakethemselvesupsosometimesonpurposetodeceive。Ishouldhavesaidthatthesetwowereforeigners，thesamekidneyasthepoorchapaswasmurdered。
Iheardawordortwopass，andIsortofgatheredthatthey\'dashrewdideaastothatmeetinginthe\'BlackPost\'betweenthemanwhowasmurderedandthelittledarkfellow。"
Lavericknodded。
"JimShepherd，"hedeclared，"youappeartometobeaverysagaciousperson。"
"I\'msureI\'mmuchobliged，sir；Icantellyou，though，"headded，"Idon\'thalflikethesechapscomingroundmakinginquiries。Mynervesain\'tquitewhattheywere，anditgivesmethejumps。"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
"Afterall，therewasnooneelseinthebarthatnight，"heremarked，-"noonewhocouldcontradictyou？"
"Notasoul，"JimShepherdagreed。
"Thendon\'tyoubother，"Laverickcontinued。"Yousee，you\'vebeenwise。Youhaven\'tgivenyourselfawayaltogether。You\'vesimplysaidthatyoudon\'trecollectanyonecomingin。Whyshouldyourecollect？Attheendofaday\'sworkyouarenotlikelytonoticeeverystraycustomer。Sticktoit，and，ifyoutakemyadvice，don\'tgothrowinganymoneyabout，anddon\'tgiveyournoticeinforanotherweekorso。Pavethewayforitabit。Askthegovernorforarise-sayyou\'renotmakingalivingoutofit。"
"I\'mon，"JimShepherdremarked，noddinghishead。"I\'montoit，sir。Idon\'twanttogetintonotrouble，I\'msure。"
"Youcan\'t，"Laverickanswereddryly，"unlessyouchuckyourselfin。
You\'renotobligedtorememberanything。Noonecaneverprovethatyourememberedanything。Keepyoureyesopen，andletmehearifthesefellowsturnupagain。"
"I\'mprettycertaintheywill，sir，"themandeclared。"Theysataboutwaitingformetobedisengaged，butwhenmytimeoffcame，I
hoppedoutthebackway。They\'llbethereagainto-night，sureenough。"
Lavericknodded。
"Well，youmustletmeknow，"hesaid，"whathappens。"
JimShepherdleanedacrossthecornerofthetableanddroppedhisvoice。
"It\'sanawfulthingtothinkof，sir，"hewhispered，blinkingrapidly。"Iwouldn\'tbethatyoungMr。Morrisonforallthatgreatpocketfulofnotes。Butmy！therewasasightofmoneythere，sir！He\'llbearichmanforallhisdaysifnothingcomesout。"
"Wewon\'ttalkanymoreaboutit，"Laverickinsisted。"Itisn\'tapleasantthingtothinkaboutortalkabout。Wewon\'tknowanything，Shepherd。Weshallbebetteroff。"
Themantookhisdepartureandthewhirlofbusinessrecommenced。
Laverickturnedhisbackuponthecityonlyafewminutesbeforeeightand，tiredout，hedinedatarestaurantonhishomewardway。
Whenatlasthereachedhissitting-roomhethrewhimselfonthesofaandlitacigar。Oncemoretheeveningpapershadnoparticularnews。Thistime，however，oneofthemhadaleadingarticleupontheEnglishpolicesystem。Thefactthatanundetectedmurdershouldtakeplaceinawealthyneighborhood，awayfromtheslums，amurderwhichmusthavebeenpremeditated，wasinitselfalarming。Untiltheinquesthadbeenheld，itwasbettertomakelittlecommentuponthefactsofthecasesofarastheywereknown。
Atthesametime，thecircumstancecouldnotfailtoinciteaconsiderableamountofalarmamongthosewhohadofficesinthevicinityofthetragedy。ItwasrumoredthatsomemysteriousinquirieswerebeingcirculatedaroundLondonbanks。Itwaspossiblethatrobbery，afterall，hadbeentherealmotiveofthecrime，butrobberyonascaleasyetunimagined。Thewholeinterestofthecasenowwascentreduponthediscoveryoftheman\'sidentity。
Assoonasthiswassolved，someverystartlingdevelopmentsmightbeexpected。
Laverickthrewthepaperaway。Hetriedtorestuponthesofa，buttriedinvain。Hefoundhimselfcontinuallyglancingattheclock。
"To-night，"hemutteredtohimself，-"no，Iwillnotgoto-night！
Itisnotfairtothechild。Itisabsurd。Why，shewouldthinkthatIwas-"
Hestoppedshort。
"I\'llchangeandgototheclub，"hedecided。
Herosetohisfeet。Justthentherewasaringathisbell。Heopenedthedoorandfoundamessengerboystandinginthevestibule。
"Note，sir，forMr。StephenLaverick，"theboyannounced，openinghiswallet。
Laverickheldouthishand。Theboygavehimalargesquareenvelope，anduponthebackofitwas"UniversalTheatre。"
Lavericktriedtoassurehimselfthathewasnotsoridiculouslypleased。Hesteppedbackintotheroom，toreopentheenvelope，andreadthefewlinestracedinratherfaintbutdelicatehandwriting。
Areyoucomingtofetchmeto-night？Don\'tletmebeanuisance，butdocomeifyouhavenothingtodo。Ihavesomethingtotellyou。
ZOE。
Laverickgavetheboyashillingforhimselfandsuddenlyforgotthathewastired。Hechangedhisclothes，whistlingsoftlytohimselfallthetime。Ateleveno\'clock，hewasatthestage-dooroftheUniversalTheatre，waitinginataxicab。
CHAPTERXX
LAVERICKISCROSS-EXAMINED
Onebyonetheyoungladiesofthechoruscameoutfromthestage-dooroftheUniversal，inmostcasestobeassistedintoawaitinghansomortaxicabbyanattendantcavalier。Laverickstoodbackintheshadowsasmuchaspossible，smilingnowandthentohimselfatthis，tohim，somewhatnovelwayofspendingtheevening。
Zoewasamongthelasttoappear。Shecameuptohimwithadelightfullittlegestureofpleasure，andtookhisarmasamatterofcourseasheledheracrosstothewaitingcab。
"Thissortofthingismakingmefeelabsurdlyyoung，"hedeclared。
"Luigi\'sforsupper，Isuppose？"
"Supper！"sheexclaimed，clappingherhands。"Delightful！Twonightsfollowing，too！Ididlovelastnight。"
"WehadbetterengageatableatLuigi\'spermanently，"heremarked。
"Ifonlyyoumeantit！"shesighed。
Helaughedather，buthewasthoughtfulforafewminutes。
Afterwards，whentheysatatasmallroundtableinthesomewhatBohemianrestaurantwhichwasthefashionablerendezvousofthemomentforladiesofthetheatricalprofession，heaskedheraquestion。
"Tellmewhatyoumeantinyournote，"hebegged。"Yousaidthatyouhadsomeinformationforme。
"I\'mafraiditwasn\'tanythingverymuch，"sheadmitted。"Ifoundoutto-daythatsomeonehadbeeninquiringatthestage-dooraboutme，andwhetherIwasconnectedinanywaywithaMr。ArthurMorrison，thestockbroker。"
"Doyouknowwhoitwas？"heasked。
Sheshookherhead。
"Themanleftnonameatall。Itriedtogetthedoorkeepertotellmeabouthim，buthe\'ssuchasurlyoldfellow，andhe\'ssousedtothatsortofthing，thathepretendedhedidn\'trememberanything。"
"Itseemsodd，"heremarkedthoughtfully，"thatanyoneshouldhavefoundyouout。YouweresoseldomwithMorrison。Idaresay，"headded，"itwasjustsomeonetowhomyourbrotherowessomesmallsumofmoney。"
"Verylikely，"sheanswered。"ButIwasgoingtotellyou。Hecameagainto-nightwhiletheperformancewason，andsentanoteround。
Ihavebroughtitforyoutosee。"
Thenote-itwasreallylittlemorethanamessage-waswrittenonthebackofaprogrammeandenclosedinanenvelopeevidentlyborrowedfromthebox-office。Itreadasfollows:
DEARMISSLENEVEU，IbelievethatMr。ArthurMorrisonisaconnectionofyours，andI
amventuringtointroducemyselftoyouasafriendofhis。Couldyousparemehalf-an-hourofyourcompanyaftertheperformanceofthisevening？Ifyoucouldhonormesomuch，youmightperhapsallowmetogiveyousomesupper。
Sincerely，PHILIPE。MILES。
Laverickfeltanabsurdpangofjealousyashehandedbacktheprogramme。
"Ishouldsay，"hedeclared，"thatthiswassimplysomeyoungmanwhowastryingtoscrapeanacquaintancewithyoubecausehewasorhadbeenafriendofMorrison\'s。"
"Inthatcase，"answeredZoe，"heisverysoonforgotten。"
Shetoretheprogrammeintotwopieces，andLaverickwasconsciousofaridiculousfeelingofpleasureatherindifference。
"Ifyouhearanythingmoreabouthim，"hesaid，"youmightletmeknow。Youareabraveyoungladytodismissyouradmirerssosummarily。"
"PerhapsIamquitesatisfiedwithone，"laughingsoftly。
Lavericktoldhimselfthatathisagehewasbehavinglikeanidiot，neverthelesshiseyesacrossthetableexpressedhisappreciationofherspeech。
"Tellmesomethingaboutyourself，Mr。Laverick，"shebegged。
"Forinstance？"
"Firstofall，then，howoldareyou？"
Hemadeagrimace。
"Thirty-eight-thirty-ninemynextbirthday。Doesn\'tthatseemgrandfatherlytoyou？"
"Youmustnotbeabsurd！"sheexclaimed。"Itisnotevenmiddle-aged。Nowtellme-howdoyouspendyourtimegenerally？
Doyoureallymeanthatyougoandplaycardsatyourclubmostevenings？"
"Ihaveagoodmanyfriends，andIdineoutquiteagreatdeal。"
"Youhavenosisters？"
"IhavenorelativesatallinLondon，"heexplained。
"Itistobearealcross-examination，"shewarnedhim。
"Iamquitecontent，"heanswered。"Goahead，butremember，though，thatIamaverydullperson。"
"Youlooksoyoungforyouryears，"shedeclared。"Iwonder，haveyoueverbeeninlove？"
Helaughedheartily。
"Aboutadozentimes，Isuppose。Why？DoIseemtoyoulikeamisanthrope？"
"Idon\'tknow，"sheadmitted，hesitatingly。"Youdon\'tseemtomeasthoughyoucaredtomakefriendsveryeasily。IjustfeltI
wantedtoaskyou。Haveyoueverbeenengaged？"
"Never，"heassuredher。
"Andwhenwasthelasttime，"sheasked，"thatyoufeltyoucaredalittleforanyone？"
"Itdatesfromthedaybeforeyesterday，"hedeclared，fillingherglass。
Shelaughedathim。
"Ofcourse，itisnonsensetotalktoyoulikethis！"shesaid。
"Youarequiterighttomakefunofme。"
"Onthecontrary，"heinsisted。"Iamverymuchinearnest。"
"Verywell，then，"sheanswered，"ifyouareinearnestyoushallbeinlovewithme。Youshalltakemeabout，givemesuppereverynight，sendmesomesweetsandcigarettestothetheatre-oh，andthereareheapsofthingsyououghttodoifyoureallymeanit！"
shewoundup。
"Ifthosethingsmeanbeingfondofyou，"heanswered，"I\'llproveitwithpleasure。Sweets，cigarettes，suppers，taxicabsatthestage-door。"
"Itallsoundsveryterrible，"shesighed。"It\'sahorridlittlelife。"
"YetIsupposeyouenjoyit？"heremarkedtentatively。
"Ihateit，butImustdosomething。Icouldnotliveoncharity。
IfIknewanyotherwayIcouldmakemoney，Iwouldrather，butthereisnootherway。Itriedoncetogivemusiclessons。Ihadafewpupils，buttheyneverpaid-theyneverdopay。
"IwishIcouldthinkofsomething，"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。
"Ofcourse，itisoccupationyouwant。Sofarasregardsthemonetarypartofit，Istilloweyourbrotheragreatdeal-"
Sheshookherhead，interruptinghimwithaquicklittlegesture。
"No，no！"shedeclared。"IhavenevercomplainedaboutArthur。
Sometimeshemademesuffer，becauseIknowthathewasashamedofhavingarelativeinthechorus，butIamquitesurethatIdonotwishtotakeanyofhismoney-orofanybodyelse\'s，"sheadded。
"Iwantalwaystoearnmyownliving。"
"Forsuchachild，"heremarked，smiling，"youarewonderfullyindependent。"
"Whynot？"sheansweredsoftly。"ItisyearssinceIhadanyonetodoverymuchforme。Necessityteachesusagoodmanythings。
Oh，Iwashelplessenoughwhenitbegan！"sheadded，withalittlesigh。"Igotoverit。Wealldo。Tellme-whoisthatwoman，andwhydoesshestaresoatyou？"
Lavericklookedacrosstheroom。LouiseandBellamyweresittingattheoppositetable。Theformerwasstrikinglyhandsomeandverywonderfullydressed。Herclosely-clinginggown，cutslightlyopeninfront，displayedhermarvelousfigure。Sheworelongpearlearrings，andahatwithwhitefeatherswhichdroopedoverherfairhair。Laverickrecognizedheratonce。
"ItisMademoiselleIdiale，"hesaid，"themostwonderfulsopranointheworld。"
"Whydoesshelooksoatyou？"Zoeasked。
Laverickshookhishead。
"Idonotknowher，"hesaid。"Iknowwhosheis，ofcourse，-everyonedoes。SheisaServian，andtheysaythatsheisdevotedtohercountry。SheleftViennaatamoment\'snotice，onlyafewdaysago，andtheysaythatitwasbecauseshehadswornnevertosingagainbeforetheenemiesofhercountry。ShehadbeenengagedalongtimetoappearatCoventGarden，butnoonebelievedthatshewouldreallycome。Shebreaksherengagementsjustwhenshechooses。Infact，sheisaverywonderfulpersonaltogether。"
"Ineversawsuchpearlsinmylife，"Zoewhispered。"Andhowlovelysheis！Idonotunderstand，though，whysheissointerestedinyou。"
"Shemistakesmeforsomeone，perhaps。"
Itcertainlyseemedprobable。Evenatthatmomentshetouchedherescortuponthearm，andhedistinctlylookedacrossatLaverick。Itwasobviousthathewasthesubjectofherconversation。
"Iknowtheman，"Lavericksaid。"HewasatHarrowwithme，andI
haveplayedcricketwithhimsince。ButIhavecertainlynevermetMademoiselleIdiale。Onedoesnotforgetthatsortofperson。
"Herfigureismagnificent，"Zoemurmuredwistfully。"Doyouliketallwomenverymuch，Mr。Laverick？"
"Iadorethem，"heanswered，smiling，"butIprefersmallones。"
"Weareveryfoolishpeople，youandI，"shelaughed。"Wecametogethersostrangelyandyetwetalksuchfrivolousnonsense。
"Youaremakingmeyoungagain，"hedeclared。
"Oh，youarequiteyoungenough！"sheassuredhim。"Totellyouthetruth，Iamjealous。MademoiselleIdialelooksatyouallthetime。Lookathernow。Isshenotbeautiful？"
Therewasnodoubtaboutherbeauty，butthosewhowerecriticisingher-andshewasbyfarthemostinterestingpersonintheroom-
thoughtheralittlesad。ThoughBellamywasdoinghisutmosttobeentertaining，hereyesseemedtotraveleverynowandthenoverhisheadandoutoftheroom。Whereverherthoughtswere，onecouldbeverysurethattheywerenotfixeduponthesubjectunderdiscussion。
"Sheislikethatwhenshesings，"Laverickremarked。"ShehasnoneofthevivacityoftheFrenchwomen。Yettherewasneveranythingsogracefulintheworldasthewayshemovesaboutthestage。"
"IfIwereaman，"Zoesighed，"thatisthesortofwomanIwoulddiefor。"
"Ifyouwereaman，"hereplied，"youwouldprobablyfindsomeonewhomyoupreferredtolivefor。Doyouknow，youareratheramorbidsortofperson，MissZoe？"
"Ah，Ilikethat！"shedeclared。"IwillnotbecalledMissLeneveuanymorebyyou。YoumustcallmeMissZoe，please，-Zoe，ifyoulike。"
"Zoe，byallmeans。Underthecircumstances，Ithinkitisonlyfitting。"
Hiseyeswanderedacrosstheroomagain。
"Ah！"shecriedsoftly，"you，too，arecomingunderthespell，then。
Iwasreadingaboutheronlytheotherday。Theysaythatsomanymenfallinlovewithher-somanymentowhomshegivesnoencouragementatall。"
Lavericklookedintohiscompanion\'sface。
"Come，"hesaid，"myheartisnotsoeasilywon。IcanassureyouthatIneveraspiretosomightyapersonageasaCoventGardenstar。
Don\'tyouknowthatshegetsasalaryoffivehundredpoundsaweek，andwearsropesofpearlswhichwouldrepresenttentimesmyentireincome？Heavenaloneknowswhathergownscost！"
"Afterall，though，"murmuredZoe，"sheisawoman。See，yourfriendiscomingtospeaktoyou。"
Bellamywasindeedcrossingtheroom。HenoddedtoLaverickandbowedtohiscompanion。
"Forgivemyintruding，Laverick，"hesaid。"Youdorememberme，I
hope？Bellamy，youknow。"
"Irememberyouquitewell。WeusedtoplaytogetheratLord\'s，evenafterweleftschool。"
Bellamysmiled。
"Thatisso，"heanswered。"Iseebythepapersthatyouhavekeptupyourcricket。Mine，alas！hashadtogo。Ihavebeentoomuchofarollingstonelately。DoyouknowthatIhavecometoaskyouafavor？"
"Goahead，"Laverickinterposed。
"MademoiselleIdialehasafancytomeetyou，"Bellamyexplained。
"Youknow，orIdaresayyouhaveheard，whatacreatureofwhimssheis。Ifyouwon\'tcomeacrossandbeintroducedlikeagoodfellow，sheprobablywon\'tspeakawordallthroughsupper-time，gooffinahuff，andmyeveningwillbespoiled。"
Lavericklaughedheartily。AlittlesmileplayedatthecornerofZoe\'slips-nevertheless，shewaslookingslightlyanxious。
"Underthosecircumstances，"remarkedLaverick，"perhapsIhadbettergo。Youwillunderstand，"headded，withaglanceatZoe，"thatIcannotstayformorethanasecond。"
"Naturally，"Bellamyanswered。"IfMademoisellereallyhasanythingtosaytoyou，Iwill，ifIampermitted，returnforamoment。"
LaverickintroducedhimtoZoe。
"IamsureIhaveseenyouattheUniversal，"hedeclared。"You\'reinthefrontrow，aren\'tyou？Ihaveseenyouinthatcleverlittlestep-danceandsonginthesecondact。"
Shenodded，evidentlypleased。
"Doesitseemclevertoyou？"sheaskedwistfully。"Yousee，weareallsotiredofit。"
"Ithinkitisripping，"Bellamydeclared。"Ishallhavethepleasureagaindirectly，"headded，withabow。
Thetwomencrossedtheroom。
"WhatthedickensdoesMademoiselleIdialewantwithme？"Laverickdemanded。"DoessheknowthatIamapoorstockbroker，strugglingagainsthardtimes？"
Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
"Sheisn\'tthesorttocarewhoorwhatyouare，"heanswered。"Andasfortherest，Isupposeshecouldbuyanyofusupifshewantedto。Herinterestinyouisratheracuriousone。Notimetoexplainitnow。She\'lltellyou。"
Louisesmiledashepausedbeforeher。Shewascertainlyexquisitelybeautiful。Herdress，hercarriage，herdelicatehands，evenhervoice，wereallperfection。ShegavehimthetipsofherfingersasBellamypronouncedhisname。
"Itissokindofyou，"shesaid，"tocomeandspeaktome。AndindeedyouwilllaughwhenItellyouwhyIthoughtthatIwouldliketosayonewordwithyou。"
Laverickbowed。
"Iamthankful，Mademoiselle，"hereplied，"foranythingwhichprocuresmesuchapleasure。"
Shesmiled。
"Ah！you，too，aregallant，"shesaid。"Butindeed，then，IfearyouwillnotbeflatteredwhenItellyouwhyIwassointerested。
Ireadallyournewspapers。IreadofthatterriblemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alleyonlyafewdaysago，-isnotthathowyoucalltheplace？"
Laverickwassuddenlygrave。Whatwasthisthatwascoming？
"Oneofthereports，"shecontinued，"saysthatthemanwasaforeigner。Themaker\'snameuponhisclotheswasAustrian。I，too，comefromthatpartofEurope-ifnotfromAustria，fromacountryverynear-andIamalwaysinterestedinmycountry-people。
AfewmomentsagoIaskedmyfriendMr。Bellamy，\'WhereisthisCrookedFriars\'Alley？\'Justthenhebowedtoyou，andheansweredme，\'Itisinthecity。ItiswithinayardortwooftheofficesofthegentlemantowhomIjusthavesaidgood-evening。\'SoI
lookedacrossatyouandIthoughtthatitwasstrange。"
Laverickscarcelyknewwhattosay。
"Itwasaterribleaffair，"headmitted，"and，asMr。Bellamyhastoldyou，itoccurredwithinafewstepsofmyoffice。Sofar，too，thepoliceseemcompletelyataloss。"
"Ah！"shewenton，shakingherhead，"yourpolice，Iamafraidtheyarenotveryclever。Itistoobad，butIamafraidthatitisso。
Tellme，Mr。Laverick，isthis，then，averylonelyspotwhereyourofficesare？"
"Notatall，"Laverickreplied。"Onthecontrary，inthedaytimeitmightbecalledtheheartofthecity-ofthemoney-makingpartofthecity，atanyrate。Onlythisthing，yousee，seemstohavetakenplaceverylateatnight。"
"Whenalltheofficeswereclosed，"sheremarked。
"Mostofthem，"Laverickanswered。"Mine，asithappened，wasopenlatethatnight。Ipassedthespotwithinhalf-an-hourorsoofthetimewhenthemurdermusthavebeencommitted。"
"Butthatisterrible！"shedeclared，shakingherhead。"Tellme，Mr。Laverick，ifIdrivetoyourofficesomemorningyouwillshowmethisplace，-yes？"
"Ifyouareinearnest，Mademoiselle，Iwillcertainlydoso，butthereisnothingthere。Itisjustapassage。"
"Yougivemeyouraddress，"sheinsisted，"andIthinkthatIwillcome。Youareastockbroker，Mr。Bellamytellsme。Well，sometimesIhaveagooddealofmoneytoinvest。Icometoyouandyouwillgivemeyouradvice。So！Youhaveacard！"
Laverickfoundoneandscribbledhiscityaddressuponit。Shethankedhimandoncemoreheldoutthetipsofherfingers。
"SoIshallseeyouagainsomeday，Mr。Laverick。"
Hebowedandrecrossedtheroom。BellamywasstandingtalkingtoZoe。
"Well，"heasked，。asLaverickreturned，"areyou，too，goingtothrowyourselfbeneaththecar？"
Laverickshookhishead。
"Idonotthinkso，"heanswered。"Ouracquaintancepromisestobeabusinessone。Mademoisellespokeofinvestingsomemoneythoughme。"
Bellamylaughed。
"Thenyouhavekeptyourheart，"heremarked。"Ah，well，youhaveeveryreason！"
HebowedtoZoe，noddedtoLaverick，andreturnedtohisplace。
Lavericklookedafterhimalittlecompassionately。
"Poorfellow，"hesaid。
"Whoishe？"
"HehassomesortofaGovernmentappointment，"Laverickanswered。
"TheysayheishopelesslyinlovewithMademoiselleIdiale。"
"Whynot？"Zoeexclaimed。"Heisnice。Shemustcareforsomeone。Whydoyoupityhim？"
"Theysay，too，thatshehasnomoreheartthanastone，"Laverickcontinued，"andthatneveramanhashadevenakindwordfromher。
Sheisverypatriotic，andallthethoughtsandloveshehastosparefromherselfaregiventohercountry。"
Zoeshuddered。
"Ah！"shemurmured，"Idonotliketothinkofheartlesswomen。
Perhapssheisnotsocruel，afterall。Tomesheseemsonlyvery，verysad。Tellme，Mr。Laverick，whydidshesendforyou？"
"Iimagine，"saidhe，"thatitwasawhim。Itmusthavebeenawhim。"
CHAPTERXXI
MADEMOISELLEIDIALE\'SVISIT
Laverick，onthefollowingmorning，foundmanythingstothinkabout。Hewasaccustomedtolunchalwaysatthesamerestaurant，withinafewyardsofhisoffice，andwiththesamelittlecompanyoffriends。Justashewasleaving，anoutsidebrokerwhomheknewslightlycameacrosstheroomtohim。
"Tellme，Laverick，"heasked，"what\'sbecomeofyourpartner？"
"Hehasgoneabroadforafewweeks。Asamatteroffact，weshallbeannouncingachangeinthefirmshortly。"
"Queerthing，"thebrokerremarked。"IwasinLiverpoolyesterday，andIcouldhaveswornthatIsawhimhangingaroundthedocks。I
shouldneverhavedoubtedit，butMorrisonwasalwayssocarefulabouthisappearance，andthisfellowwassuchaseedy-lookingindividual。Icalledouttohimandhevanishedlikeastreak。"
"ItcouldscarcelyhavebeenMorrison，"Lavericksaid。"HesailedseveraldaysagoforNewYork。"
"Thatsettlesit，"themandeclared，passingon。"Allthesame，itwasthemostextraordinarylikenessIeversaw。"
Laverick，onhiswayback，wentintoacableofficeandwroteoutamarconigramtotheLusitania，HaveyoupassengerArthurMorrisononboard？Reply。
Hesignedhisnameandpaidforananswer。Thenhewentbacktohisoffice。
"Anyonetoseeme？"heinquired。
"Mr。Shepherdisherewaiting，"hisclerktoldhim，-"queerlookingfellowwhopaidyoutwohundredandfiftypoundsincashforsomerailwaystock。"
Lavericknodded。
"I\'llseehim，"hesaid。"Anythingelse？"
"Aladyrangup-namesoundedlikeaFrenchone，butwecouldnoneofuscatchwhatitwas-tosaythatshewascomingdowntoseeyou。"
"IfitisMademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickdirected，"Imustseeherdirectlyshearrives。Howareyou，Shepherd？"headded，noddingtothewaiterashepassedtowardshisroom。"Comein，willyou？
You\'vegotyourcertificatesallright？"
Mr。JamesShepherdhadtheairofamanwithwhomprosperityhadnotwhollyagreed。Hewaspalerandpastier-lookingthanever，andhislittlegreeneyesseemedevenmorerestless。Hisattire-alongroughovercoatovertheliveryofhisprofession-scarcelyenhancedthedignityofhisappearance。
"Well，whatisit？"Laverickasked，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
"Ourbarisbeingwatched，"themandeclared。"Idon\'tthinkit\'sanythingtodowiththepolice。Seemstobeasortofforeigngang。
They\'reallroundtheplace，morning，noon，andnight。They\'vepumpedeverybody。"
"Thereisn\'tverymuch，"Laverickremarkedslowly，"forthemtofindoutexceptfromyou。"
"They\'vefoundoutsomething，anyway，"Shepherdcontinued。"Myjuniorwaiter，unfortunately，whowasasleepinthesitting-room，toldthemhewassuretherewerecustomersintheplacebetweentenandtwelveonMondaynight，becausetheywokehimuptwice，talking。
They\'rebeginningtolookatmeabitdoubtful。"
"Ishouldn\'tworry，"Laverickadvised。"Theinquest\'sonnowandyouhaven\'tbeencalled。Idon\'tfancyyou\'rerunninganysortofrisk。Anyonemaysaytheybelievetherewerepeopleinthe，barbetweenthosehours，butthereisn\'tanyonewhocancontradictyououtright。Besides，youhaven\'tsworntoanything。You\'vesimplysaid，asmightbeverypossible，thatyoudon\'trememberanyone。"
"Itmakesmeabitnervous，though，"Shepherdremarkedapologetically。
"They\'rearegularkeen-lookingtribe，Icantellyou。Theireyesseemtofollowyouallovertheplace。"
"Ishallcomeinforadrinkpresentlymyself，"Laverickdeclared。
"Ishouldliketoseethem。Imightgetanideaastotheirnationality，atanyrate。"
"Verygood，sir。I\'msureI\'mdoingjustasyousuggested。I\'vesaidnothingaboutleaving，butI\'mbeginningtogrumbleabitatthework，soastopavetheway。It\'sahardjob，andnomistake。
Ihadthirty-ninechopsbetweenoneandhalf-past，single-handed，too，withonlyaboytocarrythebreadandthat，andnoonetoservethedrinksunlesstheygotothecounterforthem。It\'smorethanoneman\'swork，Mr。Laverick。"
Laverickassented。
"Somuchthebetter，"hedeclared。"Allthemoreexcuseforyourleaving。
"You\'11beroundsometimeto-day，sir，then？"themanasked，takinguphishat。
"Ishalllookinforafewmoments，forcertain，"Laverickanswered。
"Ifyougetachanceyoumustpointouttomeoneofthosefellows。"
JimShepherddeparted。Therewasashoutingofnewspaperboysinthestreetoutside。Lavericksentoutforapaper。Theaccountoftheinquestwasbriefenough，andtherewerenowitnessescalledexceptthemenwhohadfoundthedeadbody。Thenatureofthewoundswasexplainedtothejury，alsotheimpossibilityoftheirhavingbeenself-inflicted。Intheabsenceofanypoliceevidenceoranyidentification，thediscussionastothemannerofthedeathwasnaturallylimited。Thejurycontentedthemselvesbybringinginaverdictof"Wilfulmurderagainstsomepersonorpersonsunknown。"Lavericklaiddownthepaper。Thecompletionoftheinquestwasatleastthefirstdefinitesteptowardsafety。Thequestionnowbeforehimwaswhattodowiththattwentythousandpounds。Hesatathisdesk，lookingintovacancy。Afterall，hadhepaidtoogreataprice？Themillstonewasgonefromaroundhisneck，somethingnewandincomprehensiblehadcreptintohislife。
Yetforabackgroundtherewasalwaysthissecretknowledge。
AclerkannouncingMademoiselleIdialebrokeinuponhisreflections。
Laverickrosefromhisseattogreethisvisitor。Shewaswonderfullydressed，asusual，yetwiththeutmostsimplicity，-awhitesergegownwithalargeblackhat，butagownthatseemedtohavebeenmouldedontoherslim，faultlessfigure。Shebroughtwithheramusicalrustle，aslightsuggestionofsubtleperfumes-aperfumesothinandetherealthatitwasunrecognizableexceptinitsfaintsuggestionofhothouseflowers。SheheldoutherhandtoLaverick，whoplacedforheratonceaneasy-chair。
"Thisisindeedanhonor，Mademoiselle。"
Sheinclinedherheadgraciously。
"Youareverykind，"saidshe。"Iknowthathereinthecityyouareverybusymakingmoneyallthetime，soImustnotstaylong。
Willyoubuymesomestocks，-somegoodsafestocks，whichwillbringmeinatleastfourpercent？"
"Icanpromisetodothat，"Laverickanswered。"Haveyouanychoice？"
"No，Ihavenochoice，"Louisetoldhim。"Ibringwithmeacheque，-see，Igiveittoyou，-itisforsixthousandpounds。Iwouldliketobuysomestockswiththis，andtoknowthenamessothatI
maywatchtheminthepaper。Iliketoseewhethertheygoupordown，butIdonotwishtorisktheirgoingdowntoomuch。Itissomethinglikegamblingbutitisnotrouble。"
"Yourmoneyshallbespentinafewminutes，Mademoiselle，"Laverickassuredher，"andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthatforaweekortwo，atanyrate，yourstockswillgoup。Withregardtoselling-"
"Ileaveeverythingtoyou，"sheinterrupted，"onlyletmeknowwhatyoupropose。"
"Wewilldoourbest，"Laverickpromised。
"Itisgood，"shesaid。"Moneyisawonderfulthing。Withoutitonecandolittle。Youhavenotforgotten，Mr。Laverick，thatyouweregoingtoshowmethispassage？"
"Certainlynot。Comewithmenow，ifyouwill。Itisonlyayardortwoaway。"
Hetookheroutintothestreet。Everyclerkintheofficeforgothismannersandcranedhisneck。Outside，Mademoiselleletfallherveilandpassedunrecognized。Laverickshowedhertheentry。
"Itwasjustthere，"heexplained，"abouthalfadozenyardsupontheleft，thatthebodywasfound。"
Shelookedattheplacesteadily。Thenshelookedalongthepassage。
"Wheredoesitleadto-that？"sheasked。
"ComeandIwillshowyou。Ontheleft"-astheypassedalongtheflaggedpavement-"isSt。NicholasChurchandchurchyard。Ontherightheretherearejustoffices。ThestreetinfrontofusisHenschellStreet。Allofthosebuildingsarestockbrokers\'offices。"
"Anddirectlyopposite，"sheasked，-"thatisacaf？isitnot，-arestaurant，asyouwouldcallit？"
Lavericknodded。
"Thatisso，"heagreed。"Onegoesintheresometimesforadrink。"
"Andameetingplace，perhaps？"sheinquired。"Itwouldprobablybeameetingplace。Onemightleavethereandwalkdownthispassagenaturallyenough。"
Laverickinclinedhishead。
"Asamatteroffact，"hedeclared，"Ithinkthattheevidencewenttoprovethattherewerenovisitorsintherestaurantthatnight。
Yousee，alltheseofficesroundherecloseatsixorseveno\'clock，andthewholeneighborhoodbecomesdeserted。"
Sheshruggedhershouldersimpatiently。
"YourEnglishpolice，theydonotknowhowtocollectevidence。InthehandsofFrenchmen，thismysterywouldhavebeensolvedlongbeforenow。Theguiltypersonwouldbeinthehandsofthelaw。
Asitis，Isupposethathewillgofree。"
"Well，wemustgivethepoliceachance，atanyrate，"answeredLaverick。"Theyhaven\'thadmuchtimesofar。"
"No，"sheadmitted，"theyhavenothadmuchtime。Iwonder-"Shehesitatedforamomentanddidnotconcludehersentence。"Come，"
sheexclaimed，withalittleshiver，"letusgobacktoyouroffice！
Thisplaceisnotcheerful。AllthetimeIthinkofthatpoorman。
Itdoesmakemefrightened。"
Laverickescortedhisvisitorbacktotheelectricbroughamwhichwaswaitingbeforehisdoor。
"Alistofstockspurchasedonyourbehalfwillreachyoubyto-night\'spost，"hepromisedher。"Weshalldoourbestinyourinterests。"
Heheldouthishand，butsheseemedinnohurrytolethimgo。
"Youareverykind，Mr。Laverick。Iwouldliketoseeyouagainverysoon。YouhaveheardmesinginSamsonandDelilah？"
"Notyet，butIamhopingtoveryshortly。"
"To-night，"shedeclared，"youmustcometotheOperaHouse。I
leaveaboxforyouatthedoor。Sendmeroundanotethatyouarethere，anditispossiblethatImayseeyou。Itisagainsttherules，butformetherearenorules。"
Laverickhesitating，sheleanedforwardandlookedintohisface。
"Youaredoingsomethingelse？"sheprotested。"Youwere，perhaps，thinkingoftakingoutagainthelittlegirlwithwhomyouweresittinglastnight？"
"Ihadhalfpromised-"
"No，no！"sheexclaimed，holdinghishandtighter。"Sheisnotforyou-thatchild。Sheistooyoung。Sheknowsnothing。Bettertoleaveheralone。Sheisnotforamanoftheworldlikeyou。Soonshewouldceasetoamuseyou。Youwouldbedullandshewouldstillcare。Oh，thereissomuchtragedyinthesethings，Mr。Laverick-somuchtragedyforthewoman！Itisshealwayswhosuffers。Youwilltakemyadvice。Youwillleavethatlittlegirlalone。"
Lavericksmiled。
"Iamafraid，"saidhe，"thatIcannotpromisethatsoquickly。Yousee，Ihavenotknownherlong，butshehasveryfewfriendsandI
thinkthatshewouldmissme。Perhaps，"headded，afterasecond\'spause，"Icareforhertoomuch。"
"Itisnotforyou，"sheansweredscornfully，"tocaretoomuch。
AnEnglishman，hecaresneverenough。Awomantohimissomethingamusing，-hiscompanionforalittleofhissparetime，somethingtobepleasedabout，toshowofftohisfriends，-toshare，even，thepassionofthemoment。ButanEnglishmanhedoesnotcaretoomuch。Henevercaresenough。Hedoesnotknowwhatitistocareenough。"
"Mademoiselle，theremaybetruthinwhatyousay，andagaintheremaynot。Wehavethename，Iknow，ofbeingcoldlovers，butatleastwearefaithful。"
Sheheldupherhandwithalittlegrimace。
"Oh，howIdohatethatword！"sheexclaimed。"Whoisthere，indeed，whowishesthatyouwouldbefaithful？Howmuchwepoorwomendosufferfromthat！Whycanyouneverunderstandthatawomanwouldbecaredforvery，verymuch，withallthestrengthandallthepassionyoucanconceive，butletitnotlastfortoolong。Itgetsweary。Itgetsstale。Itisasyousay，-theEnglishmanhecaresverylittle，perhaps，buthecaresalways；andthewoman，ifshebeanartisteandawoman，shetires。Butgoodafternoon，Mr。Laverick！
Imustnotkeepyouhereonthepavementtalkingofthesefrivolousmatters。Youcometo-night？"
"Youareverykind，"Lavericksaid。"IfImaycomeuntileleveno\'clock，itwouldgivemethegreatestpleasure。"
"Asyouwill，"shedeclared。"Weshallsee。Iexpectyou，then。
Youaskforyourbox。"
"Ifyouwishit，certainly。"
Shesmiledandwavedherhand。
"Youwilltellhim，please，"shedirected，"todrivetoBondStreet。"
Laverickre-enteredhisoffice，pausingforaminutetogivehisclerkinstructionsforthepurchaseofstocksforMademoiselleIdiale。HehadscarcelyreachedhisownroomwhenhewastoldthatMr。JamesShepherdwishedtospeaktohimforamomentuponthetelephone。Hetookupthereceiver。
"Whoisit？"heasked。
"ItisShepherd，"wastheanswer。"IsthatMr。Laverick？"
"Yes！"
"Youwereoutsidetherestauranthereafewminutesago，"Shepherdcontinued。"Youhadwithyoualady-ayoung，tallladywithaveil。"
"That\'sright，"Laverickadmitted。"Whatabouther？"
"Oneofthetwomenwhowatchalwaysherewasreadingthepaperinthewindow，"Shepherdwentonhoarsely。"HesawherwithyouandIheardhimmuttersomethingasthoughhehadreceivedashock。Hedroppedhisglassandhispaper。Hewatchedyoueverysecondofthetimeyouwerethereuntilyouhaddisappeared。Thenhe，too，putonhishatandwentout。"
"Anythingelse？"
"Nothingelse，"wasthereply。"Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthis，sir。Themanrecognizedtheladyrightenough。"
"Itseemsqueer，"Laverickadmitted。"Thankyouforringingmeup，Shepherd。Goodmorning！"
Laverickleanedbackinhischair。TherewasnodoubtwhatevernowinhismindbutthatMademoiselleIdiale，forsomereasonorother，wasinterestedinthiscrime。Herwishtoseetheplace，herintroductiontohimlastnightandherpurchaseofstocks，wereallpartofascheme。Hewassuddenlyandabsolutelyconvincedofit。
Asfriendorfoe，shewasverycertainlyabouttotakeherplaceamongstthefewpeopleoverwhomthistragedyloomed。
CHAPTERXXII
ACTIVITYOFAUSTRIANSPIES
LouiseleftherbroughaminPiccadillyandwalkedacrosstheGreenPark。Bellamy，whowaswaiting，roseupfromaseat，hatinhand。
Shetookhisarminforeignfashion。TheywalkedtogethertowardsBuckinghamPalace-astrangelydistinguished-lookingcouple。
"MydearDavid，"shesaid，"themanperplexesme。Tolookathim，tohearhimspeak，onewouldswearthathewashonest。Hehasjustthoseclearblueeyesandthestolidface，halfstupidandhalfsplendid，ofyourathleticEnglishman。Onewouldimaginehimdoingafoolishlyhonorablething，butheisnotmyconceptionofacriminalatall。"
Bellamykickedapebblefromthepath。Hisforeheadworeaperplexedfrown。
"Hedidn\'tgivehimselfaway，then？"
"Notintheleast。"
"Hetookyououtandshowedyouthespotwhereithappened？"
"Withoutaninstant\'shesitation。"
"Asamatterofcuriosity，"askedBellamy，"didhetrytomakelovetoyou？"
Sheshookherhead。
"Ievengavehimanopening，"shesaid。"OfflirtationhehasnomoreideathantheaveragestupidEnglishmanonemeets。"
Bellamywassilentforseveralmoments。
"Ican\'tbelieve，"hesaid，"thatthereistheleastdoubtbutthathehasthemoneyandtheportfolio。Ihavemadeoneortwootherinquiries，andIfindthathisfirmwasinverylowwaterindeedonlyaweekago。Theywerespokenof，infact，asbeinghopelesslyinsolvent。Noonecanimaginehowtheytidedoverthecrisis。"
"Themanwhowaswatchingforyou？"sheinquired。
"Hemakesnomistakes，"Bellamyassuredher。"HesawLaverickenterthatpassageandcomeout。Afterwardshewentbacktohisoffice，althoughhehadclosedupthereandhadbeenonhishomewardway。
Thethingcouldnothavebeenaccidental。"
"Whydoyounotgotohimopenly？"shesuggested。"Heis，afterall，anEnglishman，andwhenyoutellhimwhatyouknowhewillbeverymuchinyourpower。Tellhimofthevalueofthatdocument。
Tellhimthatyoumusthaveit。"
"Itcouldbedone，"Bellamyadmitted。"Ithinkthatoneofusmusttalkplainlytohim。Listen，Louise，-areyouseeinghimagain？"
"IhaveinvitedhimtocometotheOperaHouseto-night。"
"Seewhatyoucando，"hebegged。"Iwouldratherkeepawayfromhimmyself，ifIcan。HaveyouheardanythingofStreuss？"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
"Nothingdirectly，"shereplied，"butmyroomshavebeensearched-evenmydressing-roomattheOperaHouse。Thatman\'sspiesaresimplywonderful。Heseemsabletoplantthemeverywhere。And，David！-"
"Yes，dear？"
"HehasgotholdofLassen，"shecontinued。"Iamperfectlycertainofit。"
ThenthesooneryougetridofLassen，thebetter，"Bellamydeclared。
"Itissodifficult，"shemurmured，inaperplexedtone。"Themanhasallmyaffairsinhishands。Uptillnow，althoughheisuncomely，andabruteinmanyways，hehasservedmewell。"
"IfheisStreuss\'screaturehemustgo，"Bellamyinsisted。
Shenodded。
"Letussitdownforafewminutes，"shesaid。"Iamtired。"
ShesankontoaseatandBellamysatbyherside。InfullviewofthemwasBuckinghamPalacewithitsflagflying。ShelookedthoughtfullyatitandacrosstoWestminster。
"Dotheyknow，Iwonder，yourcountry-people？"sheasked。
"Half-a-dozenofthem，perhaps，"heansweredgloomily，nomore。
"To-day，"shedeclared，"Iseemtohavelostconfidence。Iseemtofeelthesenseofimpendingcalamity，tohearthegunsasIwalk，toseetheterrorfalluponthefacesofallthesegreatcrowdswhothrongyourstreets。Theyareastolid，unbelievingpeople-these。
Theblow，whenitcomes，willbetheharder。"
Bellamysighed。
