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TheywerealonebynowandLouiseraisedherveil，raiseditsohighthathecouldseehereyes。Sheleanedbackinherchair，supportingherchinwiththelong，exquisitefingersofherrighthand。Shelookedathimthoughtfully。
"Youhaveexaminedthepocket-book？"sheasked。
"Ihave。"
"Andthedocumentwasthere？"
"Thedocumentwasthere，"headmitted。"Perhapsyoucantellmehowitwouldbeaddressed？"
Lookingatherclosely，itcametohimthatherindifferencewasassumed。Shewasshiveringslightly，asthoughwithcold。
"Iimaginethattherewouldbenoaddress，"shesaid。
"Youareright。Thatdocumentisinmypocket。"
"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？"sheasked。
"Whatdoyouadvisemetodowithit？"
"Giveittome。"
"Haveyouanyclaim？"
Sheleanedalittlenearertohim。
"AtleastIhavemoreclaimtoit，"shewhispered，"thanyoutothattwentythousandpounds。"
"Idonotclaimthem，"hereplied。"Theyareinmysafeatthismoment，untouched。Theyaretherereadytobereturnedtotheirproperowner。"
"Whydoyounotfindhim？"-withanoteofincredulityinhertone。
"HowamItodothat？"Laverickdemanded。
"Wewastewords，"shecontinuedcoldly。"IthinkthatifIleaveyouwiththecontentsofyoursafe，itwillbewiseforyoutohandmethatdocument。"
"Iaminclinedtodoso，"Laverickadmitted。"Theveryfactthatyouknewofitsexistencewouldseemtogiveyouasortofclaimtoit。But，MademoiselleIdiale，willyouanswermeafewquestions？"
"Ithink，"shesaid，"thatitwouldbebetterifyouaskedmenone。"
"Butlisten，"hebegged。"YouaretheonlypersonwithwhomIhavecomeintotouchwhoseemstoknowanythingaboutthisaffair。I
shouldratherliketotellyouexactlyhowIstumbledinuponit。
Whycanwenotexchangeconfidenceforconfidence？Iwantneitherthetwentythousandpoundsnorthedocument。Iwant，tobefrankwithyou，nothingbuttoescapefromthepositionIamnowinofbeinghalfathiefandhalfacriminal。Showmesomeclaimtothatdocumentandyoushallhaveit。Tellmetowhomthatmoneybelongs，anditshallberestored。"
"Youareincomprehensible，"shedeclared。"Areyou，byanychance，playingapartwithme？Doyouthinkthatitisworthwhile？"
"MademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickprotestedearnestly，"nothingintheworldisfurtherfrommythoughts。Thereisverylittleoftheconspiratoraboutme。Iamaplainmanofbusinesswhostumbledinuponthisaffairatacriticalmomentanddaredtomaketemporaryuseofhisdiscovery。Youcanputit，ifyoulike，thatIamafraid。
Iwanttogetout。Nothingwouldgivemegreaterpleasure，ifsuchathingwerepossible，thantosendthispocket-bookanditscontentsanonymouslytoScotlandYard，andneverhearaboutthemagain。
Shelistenedtohimwithunchangedface。Yetforsomemomentsafterhehadfinishedspeakingshewasthoughtful。
"Youmaybespeakingthetruth，"shesaid。"Ifso，Ihavebeendeceived。YouarenotquitethesortofmanIdidbelieveyouwere。
Whatyoutellmeisamazing，butitmaybetrue。"
"Itisthetruth，"Laverickrepeatedcalmly。
"Listen，"shesaid，afterabriefpause。"Youwereatschool，wereyounot，withMr。DavidBellamy？Youknowwellwhoheis？"
"Perfectlywell，"Laverickadmitted。
"Youwouldconsiderhimapersontobetrusted？"
"Absolutely。"
"Verywell，then，"shedeclared。"Youshallcometomyfiatatfiveo\'clockthisafternoonandbringthatdocument。Ifitispossible，DavidBellamyshallbetherehimself。Wewilltrythenandprovetoyouthatyoudonoharminpartingwiththatdocumenttous。"
"Iwillcome，"Laverickpromised，"atfiveo\'clock；butyoumusttellmewhere。"
"Youwillputitdown，please，"shesaid。"Theremustnotbeanymistake。Youmustcome，andyoumustcometo-day。Iamstayingatnumber15，DoverStreet。Iwillleaveordersthatyouareshowninatonce。"
Sherosetoherfeetandhewalkedtothedoorwithher。Onthewayshehesitated。
"Takecareofyourselfto-day，Mr。Laverick，"shebegged。"Thereareothersbesidemyselfwhoareinterestedinthatpacketyoucarrywithyou。Yourepresenttothemthingsbesidewhichlifeanddeatharetrivialhappenings。"
Lavericklaughedshortly。Hewasamatter-of-factman，andthereseemedsomethingalittleabsurdinsuchawarning。
"Idonotthink，"hedeclared，"thatyouneedhaveanyfear。Londonis，asyoudoubtlessfindit，adulloldcity，butitisaremarkablysafeonetolivein。"
"Nevertheless，Mr。Laverick，"sherepeatedearnestly，"beonyourguardto-day，foralloursakes。"
Hebowedandchangedthesubject。
"Yourinvestments，"heremarked，"youwillbecontent，perhaps，toleaveastheyare。Itis，nodoubt，ofsomeinteresttoyoutoknowthattheyareshowingalreadyaprofitofconsiderablyoverathousandpounds。"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
"Itwasanexcuse-thatinvestment，"shedeclared。"Yetmoneyisalwaysgood。Keepitforme，Mr。Laverick，anddowhatyouwill。I
willtrustyourjudgment。Buyorsellasyouplease。Youwillletnothingpreventyourcomingthisafternoon？"
"Nothing，"hepromisedher。
>Fromthewindowofherbeautifullyappointedlittleelectricbroughamsheheldoutherhandinfarewell。
"Youthinkmefoolish，Iknow，thatIpersist，"shesaid，"butIdobegthatyouwillrememberwhatIsay。Donotbealoneto-daymorethanyoucanhelp。Suspecteveryonewhocomesneartoyou。Theremaybeatrapbeforeyourfeetatanymoment。Bewaryalwaysanddonotforget-atfiveo\'clockIexpectyou。"
Lavericksmiledashebowedhisadieux。
"Itisapromise，Mademoiselle，"heassuredher。
CHAPTERXXVII
PENETRATINGAMYSTERY
AboutanhourafterMademoiselleIdiale\'sdepartureanotemarked"Urgent"wasbroughtinandhandedtoLaverick。Hetoreitopen。
Itwasdatedfromtheaddressofafirmofstockbrokers，withtwoofthepartnersofwhichhewasonfriendlyterms。Itranthus:
MYDEARLAVERICK，-Iwantachatwithyou，ifyoucansparefiveminutesatlunchtime。CometoLyons\'alittleearlierthanusual，ifyoudon\'tmind，-sayataquartertoone。
J。HENSHAW。
Laverickreadthetypewrittennotecarelesslyenoughatfirst。Hehadevenlaiditdownandglancedattheclock，withtheintentionofstartingout，whenathoughtstruckhim。Hetookitupandreaditthoughagain。Thenheturnedtothetelephone。
"PutmeontotheofficeofHenshaw&Allen。IwanttospeaktoMr。
Henshawparticularly。"
Twominutespassed。Laverick，meanwhile，hadbeenwashinghishandsreadytogoout。Thenthetelephonebellrang。Hetookupthereceiver。
"Hullo！IsthatHenshaw？"
"I\'mHenshaw，"wastheanswer。"That\'sLaverick，isn\'tit？Howareyou，oldfellow？"
"I\'mallright，"Laverickreplied。"Whatisitthatyouwanttoseemeabout？"
"NothingparticularthatIknowof。WhotoldyouthatIwantedto？"
Laverick，whohadbeenstandingwiththeinstrumentinhishand，satdowninhischair。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，"Didn\'tyousendmeanoteafewminutesago，askingmetocomeouttolunchataquartertooneandmeetyouatLyons\'？"
Henshaw\'slaughwassufficientresponse。
"Delightedtolunchwithyouthereoranywhere，oldchap，-youknowthat，"wastheanswer，"butsomeone\'sbeenputtingupapracticaljokeonyou。"
"Youdidnotsendmeanoteroundthismorning，then？"Laverickinsisted。
"I\'llswearIdidn\'t，"camethereply。"Doyouseriouslymeanthatyou\'vehadonepurportingtocomefromme？"
Laverickpulledhimselftogether。
"Well，thesignature\'ssuchascrawl，"hesaid，"thatnoonecouldtellwhatthenamereallywas。IguessedatyoubutIseemtohaveguessedwrong。Good-bye！"
Hesetdownthereceiverandrangofftoescapefurtherquestioning。
Nowindeedtheplotwascommencingtothicken。Thiswasadeliberateeffortonthepartofsomeonetosecurehisabsencefromhisofficesataquartertoone。
Withthedocumentinhispocketandthesafesecurelylocked，Laverickfeltateaseastotheresultofanyattemptedburglaryofhispremises。Atthesametimehiscuriositywasexcited。Here，perhaps，wasachanceoffindingsomecluetothisimpenetrablemystery。
Thereweretheeclerksintheouteroffice。Heputonhishatanddespatchedtwoofthemonerrandsindifferentdirections。Thelasthewasobligedtotakeintohisconfidence。
"Halsey，"hesaid，"Iamgoingouttolunch。Atleast，IwishittobethoughtthatIamgoingouttolunch。Asamatteroffact，I
shallreturninabouttenminutesbythebackway。Idonotwishyou，however，toknowthis。IwantyoutohaveitinyourmindthatIhavegonetolunchandshallnotbebackuntilaquarterpasttwo。Iftherearevisitorsforme-Inquirersofanysort-actexactlyasyouwouldhavedoneifyoureallybelievedthatIwasnotinthebuilding。"
Halseyappearedagooddealmystified。Lavericktookhimevenfurtherintohisconfidence。
"Totellyouthetruth，Halsey，"hesaid，"IhavejustreceivedabogusletterfromMr。Henshaw，askingmetolunchwithhim。Someonewasevidentlyanxioustogetmeoutofmyofficeforanhourorso。Iwanttofindoutformyselfwhatthismeans，ifpossible。
Youunderstand？"
"Ithinkso，sir，"themanreplieddoubtfully。"Iamnottobeawarethatyouhavereturned，then？"
"Certainlynot，"Laverickanswered。"Pleasebequiteclearaboutthat。Ifyouhearanycommotionintheoffice，youcancomein，butdonotsendforthepoliceunlessItellyouto。Iwishtolookintothisaffairformyself。"
Halsey，whohadstartedlifeasalawyer\'sclerk，andwasdistinctlyformalinhisideas，wasalittleshocked。
"Woulditnotbebetter，sir，"hesuggested，"formetocommunicatewiththepoliceinthefirstcase？Ifthisshouldreallyturnouttobeanattemptatburglary，itwouldsurelybebesttoleavethemattertothem。"
Laverickfrowned。
"Forcertainreasons，Halsey，whichIdonotthinkitnecessarytotellyou，Ihaveastrongdesiretoinvestigatethismatterpersonally。PleasedoexactlyasIsay。"
Helefttheofficeandstrolledupthestreetinthedirectionoftherestaurantwhichhechieflyfrequented。Hereacheditinamomentortwo，butleftitatoncebyanotherentrance。Withintenminuteshewasbackathisoffice。
"Hasanyonebeen，Halsey？"
"Noone，sir，"theclerkanswered。
"Youwillbesogood，"Laverickcontinued，"astoforgetthatI
havereturned。"
Hepassedonquicklyintohisownroomandmadehiswayintothesmallclosetwherehekepthiscoatandwashedhishands。Hehadscarcelybeenthereaminutewhenheheardvoicesintheoutsidehall。Thedoorofhisofficewasopened。
"Mr。Lavericksaidnothingaboutanappointmentatthishour，"heheardHalseyprotestinasomewhatdeprecatingtone。
"Hehad，perhaps，forgotten，"wastheanswer，inatotallyunfamiliarvoice。"Atanyrate，Iamnotinagreathurry。Thematterisofsomeimportance，however，andIwillwaitforMr。Laverick。"
Thevisitorwasshownin。Laverickinvestigatedhisappearancethroughacrackinthedoor。Hewasamanofmediumheight，well-dressed，clean-shaven，andworegold-rimmedspectacles。HemadehimselfcomfortableinLaverick\'seasy-chair，andacceptedthepaperwhichHalseyofferedhim。
"Ishallbequitegladofarest，"heremarkedgenially。"Ihavebeenrunningaboutallthemorning。"
"Mr。Laverickisneververylongoutforlunch，sir，"Halseysaid。
"Idaresayhewillnotkeepyoumorethanaquarterofanhourortwentyminutes。"
Theclerkwithdrewandclosedthedoor。Themaninthechairwaitedforamoment。Thenhelaiddownhisnewspaperandlookedcautiouslyaroundtheroom。Satisfiedapparentlythathewasalone，herosetohisfeetandwalkedswiftlytoLaverick\'swriting-table。Withfingerswhichseemedgiftedwithalightning-likecapacityformovement，heswungopenthedrawers，onebyone，andturnedoverthepapers。Hiseyeswereeverywhere。Everydocumentseemedtobescannedandasrapidlydiscarded。Atlasthefoundsomethingwhichinterestedhim。
Hehelditupandpausedinhissearch。Laverickheardalittlebreathcomethoughhisteeth，andwithathrillherecognizedthepaperasonewhichhehadtornfromamemorandumtabletanduponwhichhehadwrittendowntheaddresswhichMademoiselleIdialehadgivenhim。Themanwiththegold-rimmedglassesreplacedthepaperwherehehadfoundit。Evidentlyhehaddonewiththewriting-table。
Hemovedswiftlyovertothesafeandstoodtherelisteningforafewseconds。Thenfromhispockethedrewabunchofkeys。ToLaverick\'ssurprise，atthestranger\'sfirsteffortthegreatdoorofthesafeswungopen。Hesawthemanleanforward，sawhishandreappearalmostdirectlywiththepocket-bookclenchedinhisfingers。
Thenhestoodoncemorequitestill，listening。Satisfiedthatnoonewasdisturbed，heclosedthedoorofthesafesoftlyandmovedoncemoretothewriting-table。Withmarvelousswiftnessthenoteswerelaiduponthetable，thepocket-bookwasturnedupsidedown，thesecretplacedisclosed-thesecretplacewhichwasempty。ItseemedtoLaverickthatfromhishiding-placehecouldhearthelittleoathofdisappointmentwhichbrokefromthethinredlips。Themanreplacedthenotesand，withthepocket-bookinhishand，hesitated。
Laverick，whothoughtthatthingshadgonefarenough，steppedlightlyoutfromhishiding-placeandstoodbetweenhisunbiddenvisitorandthedoor。
"Youhadbetterputdownthatpocket-book，"heorderedquietly。
Themanwasuponhimwithasinglespring，butLaverick，withouttheslightesthesitation，knockedhimproneuponthefloor，wherehelay，foramoment，motionless。Thenheslowlypickedhimselfup。
Hisspectacleswerebroken-heblinkedashestoodthere。
"Sorrytobesorough，"Lavericksaid。"PerhapsifyouwillkindlyrealizethatofthetwoIammuchthestrongerman，youwillbesogoodastositinthatchairandtellmethemeaningofyourintrusion。"
Themanobeyed。Hecoveredhiseyeswithhishand，foramoment，asthoughinpain。
"Iimagine，"hesaid-anditseemedtoLaverickthathisvoicehadaslightforeignaccent-"Iimaginethatthemotiveformypayingyouthisvisitisfairlycleartoyou。Peoplewhohavecompromisingpossessionsmayalwaysexpectvisitsofthissort。Yousee，onerunssolittlerisk。"
"Solittlerisk！"Laverickrepeated。
"Exactly，"theotheranswered。"Confessthatyouarenotintheleastinclinedtoringyourbellandsendforaconstabletogivemeinchargeforbeinginpossessionofapocket-bookabstractedfromyoursafe，containingtwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes。"
"Itwouldn\'tdoatall，"Laverickadmitted。
"Youareamanofcommonsense，"declaredtheother。"Itwouldnotdo。NowcomesthetimewhenIhaveaquestiontoaskyou。Therewasasealeddocumentinthispocket-book。Whereisit？Whathaveyoudonewithit？"
"Canyoutellme，"Laverickasked，"whyIshouldanswerquestionsfromapersonwhomIdiscoverapparentlyengagedinanefariousattemptatburglary？"
Theman\'shandshotoutfromhistrouser-pocket，andLavericklookedintothegleamingmuzzleofarevolver。
"Becauseifyoudon\'t，youdie，"wasthequickreply。"Whetheryou\'vereadthatdocumentornot，Iwantit。Ifyou\'vereadit，youknowthesortofmenyou\'vegottodealwith。Ifyouhaven\'t，takemywordforitthatwewastenotime。Thedocument！Willyougiveitme？"
"DoIunderstandthatyouarethreateningme？"Laverickasked，retreatingafewsteps。
"Youmayunderstandthatthisisarepeatingrevolver，andthatI
seldommissahalf-crownattwentypaces，"hisvisitoranswered。
"Ifyouputoutyourhandtowardthatbell，itwillbethelastmovementyou\'llevermakeonearth。"
"Londonisn\'treallytheplaceforthissortofthing，"Lavericksaid。"Ifyoudischargethatrevolver，youhaven\'tadog\'schanceofgettingclearofthebuilding。Myclerkswouldrushoutafteryouintothestreet。You\'dfindyourselfsurroundedbyacrowdofbusinessmen。Youcouldn\'tmakeyourwaythroughanywhere。You\'dbeheldupbeforeyou\'dgoneadozenyards。Putdownyourrevolver。
Wecanperhapssettlethislittlematterwithoutit。"
"Thedocument！"themanordered。"You\'vegotit！Youmusthaveit！
Youtookthatpocket-bookfromadeadman，andinthatpocket-bookwasthedocument。Wemusthaveit。Weintendtohaveit。"
"Andwho，mayIask，arewe？"Laverickinquired。
"Ifyoudonotknow，whatdoesitmatter？Willyougiveittome？"
Laverickshookhishead。
"Ihavenodocument。"
Themaninthechairleanedforward。Themuzzleofhisrevolverwasverybright，andhehelditinfingerswhichwerefirmasarock。
"Giveittome！"herepeated。"Yououghttoknowthatyouarenotdealingwithmenwhoareunaccustomedtodeath。Youhaveitaboutyou。Produceit，andI\'vedonewithyou。Denyme，andyouhavenottimetosayyourprayers！"
Laverickwasleaningagainstasmalltablewhichstoodnearthedoor。
Hisfingerssuddenlygrippedtheledgerwhichlayuponit。Hehelditinfrontofhisfaceforasinglemoment，andthendasheditathisvisitor。Hefollowedbehindwithonedesperatespring。Once，twice，therevolverbarkedout。Laverickfelttheskinofhistempleburnandaflickontheearwhichremindedhimofhisschool-days。
Thenhishandwasupontheotherman\'sthroatandtherevolverlayuponthecarpet。
"We\'llseeaboutthat。BytheLord，I\'veagoodmindtowringthelifeoutofyou。Thatbulletofyoursmighthavebeeninmytemple。"
"Itwasmeanttobethere，"themangasped。"Handoverthedocument，youpig-headedfool！It\'llcostyouyourlife-ifnotto-day，to-morrow。"
"I\'llbehangedifyougetit，anyway！"Laverickansweredfiercely。
"Youassassin！Scoundrel！Tocomehereandmakeacold-bloodedeffortatmurder！YoushallseewhatyouthinkoftheinsideofanEnglishprison。"
Themanlaughedcontemptuously。
"Andwhataboutthepocket-book？"heasked。
Laverickwassilent。Hisassailantsmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。
"Come，"hesaid，"Ihavemademyeffortandfailed。Youhavetwentythousandpounds。That\'safairprice，butI\'lladdanothertwentythousandforthatdocumentunopened。"
"Itispossiblethatwemightdeal，"Laverickremarked，kickingtherevolveralittlefurtheraway。"Unfortunately，Iamtoomuchinthedark。Tellmetherealpositionofthemurderedman？Tellmewhyhewasmurdered？Tellmethecontentsofthisdocumentandwhyitwasinhispossession？PerhapsImaythenbeinclinedtotreatwithyou。"
"Youareeitheranastonishinglyingenuousperson，Mr。Laverick，"
hisvisitordeclared，"oryou\'retoosubtleforme。Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyouareinthiswithyoureyesblindfolded？
Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyoudonotknowwhatisinthatsealedenvelope？Bah！Itisachild\'sgame，that，andweplayasmenwithmen。"
Laverickshookhishead。
"Youroffer，"heasked，"whatisitexactly？"
"Twentythousandpounds，"themananswered。"Thedocumentisworthnomorethanthattoyou。Howyoucameintothisthingisamystery，butyouareinand，whatismore，youhavepossession。Twentythousandpounds，Mr。Laverick。Itisalargesumofmoney。Youfinditinteresting？"
"Ifinditinteresting，"Laverickanswereddryly，"butIamnotaseller。"
Theintrudermovedhishandawayfromhiseyes。Hisexpressionwasfullofwonder。
"Considerforamoment，"hesaid。"Whilethatdocumentremainsinyourpossession，youwalkthenarrowway，yourlifehangsuponathread。Bettersurrenderitandattendtoyourstocksandshares。
Heavenknowshowyoufirstcameintoouraffairs，butthesooneryouareoutofthemthebetter。Whatdoyousaynowtomyoffer？"
"Itisrefused，"Laverickdeclared。"Iregret；toadd，"hecontinued，"thatIhavealreadysparedyouallthetimeIhaveatmydisposal。Forgiveme。"
Hepressedabuttonwithhisfinger。Hisvisitorroseupinanger。
"Youarenotsuchafool！"heexclaimed。"Youarenotgoingtosendmeawaywithoutit？Why，Itellyouthattherewon\'tbeasafecornerintheWorldforyou！"
Halseyopenedthedoor。Lavericknoddedtowardhisvisitor。
"Showthisgentlemanout，Halsey，"heordered。
Halseystarted。Thenoiseoftherevolvershothadevidentlybeenmuffledbytheheavyconnectingdoors，buttherewasasmellofgunpowderintheroom，andalittlewreathofsmoke。Themanroseslowlytohisfeet，stillblinking。
"Itmustbeasyouwill，ofcourse。Iwonderifyouwouldbesogoodastoletyourclerkdirectmetoanoculist？Iam，unfortunately，ahelplessmaninthiscondition。"
"Thereisoneafewyardsoff，"Laverickanswered。"Putonyourhat，Halsey，andshowthisgentlemanwherehecangetsomeglasses。"
HisvisitorleanedtowardsLaverick。
"Itisyourlifewhichisinquestion，notmyeyesight，"hemuttered。
"Doyouacceptmyoffer？Willyougivemethedocument？"
"IdonotandIwillnot，"Laverickreplied。"IshallnotpartwithanythinguntilIknowmorethanIknowatpresent。"
Themanstoodmotionlessforamoment。Hisfingersseemedtobetwitching。Laverickhadafancythathewasabouttospring，butifeverhehadhadanythoughtsofthekind，Halsey\'sreappearancecheckedthem。
"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Laverick，"hesaidquietly。"Weshall，perhaps，resumethisdiscussionatsomefuturedate。"
WiththatheturnedandfollowedHalseyoutoftheroom。Laverickwenttothewindowandthrewitwideopen。Thesmokefloatedout，thesmellofgunpowderwasgraduallydispersed。Thenhewalkedbacktohisseat。Oncemorehelockedupthenotes。Thedocumentwassafeinhispocket。Therewasaslightmarkbythesideofhistemple，andhisear，hediscovered，wasbleeding。HerangthebellandHalseyentered。
"Hasourfriendgone，Halsey？"
"Ilefthimintheoptician\'s，sir，"theclerkanswered。"Hewasbuyingsomespectacles。"
Laverickglancedatthefloor，wheretheremainsofthosegold-rimmedglasseswerescattered。
"Youhadbettersendforalocksmithatonce，"hesaid。"Thegentlemanwhohasbeenherehadaskeletonkeytomysafe。We\'llhaveacombinationputon。"
"Verygood，sir，"Halseyanswered。
"And，Halsey，"hismastercontinued，"becarefulaboutonething，foryourownsakeaswellasmine。Ifthatmanpresentshimselfagain，don\'tlethimcomeintomyroomunannounced。Ifyoucanhelpit，don\'tlethimcomeinatall。Ihaveanideathathemightbedangerous。"
Theclerk\'sfacewasastudy。
"Ifhepresentshimselfhere，sir，"heannouncedstiffly，"Ishalltakethelibertyofsendingforthepolice。"
Laverickmadenoreply。
CHAPTERXXVIII
LAVERICK\'SNARROWESCAPE
Atpreciselyaquarterpastfour，nothinghavinghappenedinthemeantimebutasteadyrushofbusiness，Laverickorderedataxicabtobesummoned。Hethenunlockedhissafe，placedthepocket-booksecurelyinhisbreastpocket，walkedthroughtheoffice，anddirectedthemantodrivetoChanceryLane。HereattheheadquartersoftheSafeDepositCompanyheengagedacompartment，anddowninthestrong-roomlockedupthepocket-book。Therewasonlynowthedocumentleft。Steppingoncemoreintothestreet，hefoundthathistaxicabhadvanished。Helookedupanddowninvain。Themanhadnotbeenpaidandthereseemedtobenoreasonforhisdeparture。Apolicemanwhowasstandingbytouchedhishatandaddressedhim。
"Wereyoulookingforthattaxiyousteppedoutofafewminutesago，sir？"heasked。
"Iwas，"Laverickanswered。"Ihadn\'tpaidhimandItoldhimtowait。"
"Ithoughttherewassomethingqueeraboutit，"thepolicemanremarked。"Soonafteryouhadgoneinside，twogentlemendroveupinahansom。Theygotouthereandoneofthemspoketoyourdriver，whoshookhisheadandpointedtohisflag。Thegentthensaidsomethingelsetohim-can\'tsayasIheardwhatitwas，butitwasprobablyofferinghimdoublefare。Anyway，theybothgotinandoffwentyourtaxi，sir。"
"Thankyou，"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。"Itsoundsalittleperplexing。"
Hehesitatedforamoment。
"Constable，"hecontinued，"Ihavejustmadeaveryvaluabledepositinthere，andIhadanideathatImightbefollowed。Ihavestillinmypocketadocumentofgreatimportance。Ihavenodoubtwhateverbutthattheobjectofthemenwhohavetakenmytaxicabistoleavemeinthestreetherealoneundercircumstanceswhichwillrenderaquickattackuponmelikelytobesuccessful。"
ThepolicemanturnedhisheadandlookedatLaverickincredulously。
Hewasmorethanhalfinclinedtobelievethatthiswasapracticaljoke。WeretheynotstandingonthepavementinChanceryLane，andwasnotheanable-bodiedpolicemanofgreatbulkandimmensemuscle！
Yethiscompaniondidnotlookbyanymeansamanofthenervousorder。Laverickwasbroad-shouldered，hisskinwastannedawholesomecolor，hisbearingwasthebearingofamanpreparedtodefendhimselfatanytime。Theconstablesmiledinanon-committalmanner。
"Ifyou\'llexcusemysayingso，sir，"heremarked，"Idon\'tthinkthisisexactlythespotanyonewouldchooseforanassault。"
"Iagreewithyou，"Laverickanswered，"but，ontheotherhand，youmustrememberthatthesegentlemenhavehadnochoice。Isteppedfrommyofficedirectintothetaxi，andIproposedtodrivestraightfromheretotheplacewhereIshallprobablyleavetheotherdocumentIamcarryingwithme。WhyIhavetakenyouintomyconfidenceistoaskyouthis。Canyouwalkwithmetothecornerofthestreet，oruntilwemeetataxicab？itsoundscowardly，but，asamatteroffact，Iamnotafraid。Isimplywanttomakesureofdeliveringthisdocumenttothepersontowhomitbelongs。"
Theconstablestoodstill，alittleperplexed。
"Mybeat，sir，"hesaid，"onlygoesabouttwenty-fiveyardsfurtheron。IwillwalktothecornerofHolbornwithyou，ifyoudesireit。Atthesametime，ImaysaythatIambreakingregulations。
HowdoIknowthatitisnotyourschemetogetmeawayfromthisneighborhoodforsomepurposeofyourown？"
"Youdon\'tbelieveanythingofthesort，"Laverickdeclared，withasmile。
"Idonot，sir，"thepolicemanadmitted。"Keepbymyside，andI
thinkthatnothingwillhappentoyoubeforewereachHolborn。"
Laverickwasamanofmorethanmediumheight，butbythesideofthepolicemanheseemedshort。Bothscannedthefacesofthepassers-byclosely-thepolice-manwithmildinterest，Laverickwithalmostfeverishanxiety。Itwasagrayafternoon，pleasantbutclose。ThereseemedtobenothingwhatevertoaccountforthefeelingofnervousnesswhichhadsuddenlycomeoverLaverick。Hefelthimselfindanger-hehadnoideahow，orinwhatway-buttheconvictionwasthere。Hetookeverystepfullyalert，absolutelyonhisguard。
TheywerealmostwithinsightofHolbornwhenacryfromthebystanderscausedthemtolookawayintothemiddleoftheroad。
Laverickonlycastoneglancethereandabandonedeveryinstinctofcuriosity，thinkingoncemoreonlyofhimselfandhisownposition。Withtheconstable，however，itwasnaturallydifferent。
Hesawsomethingwhichcalledatonceforhisintervention，andheimmediatelyforgotthesomewhatsingulartaskuponwhichhewasengaged。Amanhadfalleninthemiddleofthestreet，eitherknockeddownbytheshaftofapassingvehicleorinsomesortoffit。Therewasatangleofrearinghorses，anomnibuswasmakingdesperateeffortstoavoidtheprostratebody。Theconstablesprangtotherescue。Laverick，instantlysuspiciousandrealizingthattherewasnooneinfrontofhim，turnedswiftlyaround。Hewasjustintimetoreceiveuponhisleftarmtheblowwhichhadbeenmeantforthebackofhishead。Hewasconfrontedbyamandressedexactlyashehimselfwas，inmorningcoatandsilkhat，amanwithlong，leanfaceandlegalappearance，suchapersonaswouldhavepassedanywherewithoutattractingamoment\'ssuspicion。
Yet，inthespaceofafewsecondshehadwhippedoutfromonepocket，withtheskillalmostofajuggler，avicious-lookinglife-preserver，andfromtheotherapocket-handkerchiefsoakedwithchloroform。Laverick，quickandresourceful，feelinghisleftarmsinkhelpless，struckatthemanwithhisrightandsenthimstaggeringagainstthewall。Thehandkerchief，withitsloadofsickeningodor，felltothepavement。Themanwasobviouslyworsted。Lavericksprangathim。Theywerealmostunobserved，forthecrowdwasallintentupontheaccidentintheroadway。
Withwonderfulskill，hisassailanteludedhisattempttoclose，andtoreathiscoat。Laverickstruckathimagainbutmetonlytheair。Theman\'sfingersnowwereuponhispocket，butthistimeLaverickmadenomistake。Hestruckdownwardsohardthatwithafiercecryofpainthemanrelaxedhishold。Beforehecouldrecover，Laverickhadstruckhimagain。Hereeledintothecrowdthatwasfastgatheringaroundthem，attractedbywhatseemedtobeafightbetweentwomenofunexceptionableappearance。
Buttherewastobenomorefight。Throughthepeople，swift-footed，cunning，resourceful，hisassailantseemedtofindsomehiddenway。Laverickglaredfiercelyaroundhim，butthemanhadgone。Hislefthandcrepttohischest。Thevictorywaswithhim；thedocumentwasstillthere。
Attheoutsideofthedoublecrowdheperceivedataxi。Ignoringthestormofquestionswithwhichhewasassailed，andtheadvancinghelmetofhisfriendthepolicemanatthebackofthecrowd，Laverickhaileditandsteppedquicklyinside。
"BackoutofthisanddrivetoDoverStreet，"hedirected。Themanobeyedhim。Peopleracedtolookthroughthewindowathim。
Theothercommotionhaddiedaway，-themanintheroadhadgotupandwalkedoff。Apolicemancamehurryingalongbuthewasjusttoolate。VerysoontheywereontheirwaydownHolborn。OncemoreLaverickhadescaped。
AFrenchman-servant，withthesadfaceandimmaculatedressofaHigh-Churchcleric，tookpossessionofhimassoonashehadaskedforMademoiselleIdiale。Hewasshownintooneofthemostdelightfullittleroomshehadeverevendreamedof。ThewallswerehungwiththatpeculiarshadeofbluesatinwhichMademoisellesooftenaffectedinherclothes。Laverick，whowassomethingofaconnoisseur，sawnowhereanyobjectwhichwasnot，ofitssort，priceless，-Frenchfurnitureofthebestandchoicestperiod，astatuettewhichmadehim，foramoment，almostforgetthescenefromwhichhehadjustarrived。Theairintheroomseemedasthoughithadpassedthroughagroveoflemontrees，-itwasfreshandsweetyetcuriouslyfragrant。Lavericksankdownintooneoftheluxuriousblue-brocadedchairs，consciousforthefirsttimethathewasoutofbreath。Thenthedooropenedsilentlyandthereenterednotthewomanwhomhehadbeenexpecting，butMr。
Lassen。Laverickrosetohisfeethalfdoubtfully。Lassen\'ssmall，queerly-shapedfaceseemedtohavebecomeonehugeingratiatingsmile。
"Iamverygladtoseeyou，Mr。Laverick，"hesaid，-"verygladindeed。"
"IhavecometocalluponMademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickanswered，somewhatcurtly。Hehaddislikedthismanfromthefirstmomenthehadseenhim，andhesawnoparticularreasonwhyheshouldconcealhisfeelings。
"Iamheretoexplain，"Mr。Lassencontinued，seatinghimselfoppositetoLaverick。"MademoiselleIdialeisunfortunatelypreventedfromseeingyou。Shehasaseverenervousheadache，andheronlychanceofappearingtonightistoremainperfectlyundisturbed。Womenofherposition，asyoumayunderstand，havetobeexceptionallycareful。Itwouldbeaveryseriousmatterindeedifshewereunabletosingto-night。"
"Iamexceedinglysorrytohearit，"Laverickanswered。"Inthatcase，IwillcallagainwhenMademoiselleIdialehasrecovered。"
"Byallmeans，mydearsir！"Mr。Lassenexclaimed。"Manytimes，letushope。Butinthemeantime，thereisalittleaffairofadocumentwhichyouweregoingtodelivertoMademoiselle。Sheismostanxiousthatyoushouldhandittome-mostanxious。Shewilltenderyouherthankspersonally，tomorroworthenextday，ifsheiswellenoughtoreceive。"
Laverickshookhisheadfirmly。
"Undernocircumstances，"hedeclared，"shouldIthinkofdeliveringthedocumentintoanyotherhandssavethoseofMademoiselleIdiale。
Totellyouthetruth，Ihadnotfullydecidedwhethertopartwithiteventoher。Iwassimplypreparedtohearwhatshehadtosay。
ButitmaysavetimeifIassureyou，Mr。Lassen，thatnothingwouldinducemetopartwithittoanyoneelse。"
TherewasnotraceleftofthatingratiatingsmileuponMr。Lassen\'sface。Hehadtheappearancenowofanuglyanimalabouttoshowitsteeth。Laverickwassuddenlyonhisguard。Moreadventures，hethought，castingasomewhatcontemptuousglanceatthephysiqueoftheotherman。Helaidhisfingersasthoughcarelesslyuponasmallbronzeornamentwhichreposedamongstothersonatablebyhisside。IfMr。Lassen\'sfatanduglyhandshouldstealtowardhispocket，Laverickwaspreparedtohurltheornamentathishead。
"Iamverysorrytohearyousaythat，Mr。Laverick，"Lassensaidslowly。"Ihopeverymuchthatyouwillseeyourwaycleartochangeyourmind。IcanassureyouthatIhaveasmuchrighttothedocumentasMademoiselleIdiale，andthatitisherearnestwishthatyoushouldhanditovertome。Further，Imayinformyouthatthedocumentitselfisamostincriminatingone。Itspossessionuponyourperson，oruponthepersonofanyonewhowasnotuponhisguard，mightbeaveryseriousmatterindeed。"
Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
"Asamatteroffact，"hedeclared，"Icertainlyhavenoideaofcarryingitaboutwithme。Ontheotherhand，Ishallpartwithittonoone。ImightdiscussthematterwithMademoiselleIdialeassoonassheisrecovered。Iamnotdisposed-Imeannooffence，sir-butImaysayfranklythatIamnotdisposedeventodoasmuchwithyou。"
Laverickrosetohisfeetwiththeobviousintentionofleaving。
Lassenfollowedhisexampleandconfrontedhim。
"Mr。Laverick，"hesaid，"inyourowninterestsyoumustnottalklikethat，-inyourowninterests，Isay。"
"Atanyrate，"Laverickremarked，"myinterestsarebetterlookedafterbymyselfthanbystrangers。Youmustforgivemyadding，Mr。Lassen，thatyouareastrangertome。"
"NomoresothanMademoiselleIdiale！"thelittlemanexclaimed。
"MademoiselleIdialehasgivenmecertainproofthatsheknewatleastoftheexistenceofthisdocument，"Laverickanswered。"Shehasestablished，therefore，acertainclaimtomyconsideration。
YouannounceyourselfasMademoiselleIdiale\'sdeputy，butyoubringmenoproofofthefact，nor，inanycase，amIdisposedtotreatwithyou。Youmustallowmetowishyougoodafternoon。"
Lassenshookhishead。
"Mr。Laverick，"hedeclared，"youaretooimpetuous。Youforcemetoremindyouthatyourownpositionasholderofthatdocumentisnotaverysecureone。Allthepoliceinthiscapitalaresearchingto-dayforthemanwhokilledthatunfortunatecreaturewhowasfoundmurderedinCrookedFriars\'Alley。Iftheycouldfindthemanwhowasinpossessionofhispocket-book，whowasinpossessionoftwentythousandpoundstakenfromthedeadman\'sbodyandwithithadsavedhisbusinessandhiscredit，howthen，doyouthink？
Isaynothingofthedocument。"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。Herealized，however，thattomaketermswiththismanwasimpossible。Besides，hedidnottrusthim。HedidnoteventrusthimsofarastobelievehimtheaccreditedenvoyofMademoiselle。
"Myunfortunateposition，"Lavericksaid，"hasnothingwhatevertodowiththematter。WhereyougotyourinformationfromIcannotsay。Ineitheracceptnordenyit。ButIcanassureyouthatI
amnottobeintimidated。Thisdocumentwillremaininmypossessionuntilsomeonecanshowmeaverygoodreasonforpartingwithit。"
Lassenbeatthebackofthechairagainstwhichhewasstandingwithhisclenchedfist。
"Areasonwhyyoushouldpartwithit！"heexclaimedfiercely。"Man，itstaresyouthereintheface！Ifyoudonotpartwithit，youwillbearrestedwithintwenty-fourhoursforthemurderorcomplicityinthemurderofRudolphVonBehrling！ThatIswear！ThatIshallseetomyself！"
"Inwhichcase，"Laverickremarked，"thedocumentwillfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice。"
Theshottold。Laverickcouldhavelaughedashewatcheditseffectuponhislistener。Mr。Lassen\'sfacewasblackwithunutteredcurses。HelookedasthoughhewouldhavefallenuponLaverickbodily。
"Whatdoyouknowaboutitscontents？"hehissed。"WhydoyousupposeitwouldnotsuitmypurposetohaveitfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice？"
"Icanseenoreasonwhatever，"Laverickanswered，"whyIshouldtakeyouintomyconfidenceastohowmuchIknowandhowmuchIdonotknow。Iwishyougoodafternoon，Mr。Lassen！IshallbereadytowaituponMademoiselleIdialeatanytimeshesendsforme。Butincaseitshouldinterestyoutobemadeawareofthefact，"headded，withalittlebow，"Iamnotgoingroundwiththisterribledocumentinmypossession。"
Hemovedtothedoor。Alreadyhishandwasupontheknobwhenhesawthemovementforwhichhehadwatched。Laverick，withasinglebound，wasuponhiswould-beassailant。Thehandwhichhadalreadycloseduponthebuttofthesmallrevolverwasgrippedasthoughinavice。WithascreamofpainLassendroppedtheweaponuponthefloor。Laverickpickeditup，thrustitintohiscoatpocketand，takingtheman\'scollarwithbothhands，heshookhimtilltheeyesseemedstartingfromhisheadandhisshrieksoffearwerechangedintomoans。Thenheflunghimintoacorneroftheroom。
"Youcowardlybrute！"heexclaimed。"Youcomeofthebreedofmenwhoshootfrombehind。IfeverIlaymyhandsuponyouagain，you\'llbeluckyifyoulivetowhimperaboutit。"
Helefttheroomandrangforthelift。Hesawnotraceofanyservantsinthehall，norheardanysoundofanyonemoving。FromDoverStreethedrovestraighttoZoe\'shouse。Keepingthecabwaiting，heknockedatthedoor。Sheopeneditherselfatonce，andhereyesglowedwithpleasure。
"Howdelightful！"shecried。"Pleasecomein。Haveyoucometotakemetothetheatre？"
Hefollowedherintotheparlorandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
"Zoe，"hesaid，"Iamgoingtoaskyouafavor。"
"Meafavor？"sherepeated。"Ithinkyouknowhowhappyitwillmakemeifthereisanything-anythingatallintheworldthatI
coulddo。"
"Aweekago，"Laverickcontinued，"Iwasanhonestbutnotverysuccessfulstockbroker，withanaturallongingforadventureswhichnevercamemyway。Sincethenthingshavealtered。Ihavestumbledinuponthemostcuriouslittlechainofhappeningswhicheverbecameentwinedwiththelifeofacommonplacebeinglikemyself。
Thenetresult，forthemoment，isthis。EveryoneistryingtostealfrommeacertaindocumentwhichIhaveinmypocket。Iwanttohideitforthenight。Icannotgotothepolice，itistoolatetogobacktoChanceryLane，andIhaveaninstinctivefeelingthatmyflatisabsolutelyatthemercyofmyenemies。MayIhidemydocumentinyourroom？Idonotbelieveforamomentthatanyonewouldthinkofsearchinghere。"
"Ofcourseyoumay，"sheanswered。"Butlisten。Canyouseeoutintothestreetwithoutmovingverymuch？"
Heturnedhishead。Hehadbeenstandingwithhisbacktothewindow，andZoehadbeenfacingit。
"Yes，Icanseeintothestreet，"heassented。
"Tellme-youseethattaxiontheothersideoftheway？"sheasked。
Henodded。
"Itwasn\'ttherewhenIdroveup，"heremarked。
"Iwasatthewindow，lookingout，whenyoucame，shesaid。"ItfollowedyououtfromtheSquareintothisstreet。Directlyyoustopped，Isawthemanputonthebrakeandpulluphiscab。Itseemedtomesostrange，justasthoughsomeonewerewatchingyouallthetime。"
Laverickstoodstill，lookingoutofthewindow。
"Wholivesinthehouseopposite？"heasked。
"Iamafraid，"sheanswered，"thattherearenoverynicepeoplewholiveroundhere。ThepeoplewhomIseecominginandoutofthathousearenotnicepeopleatall。"
"Iunderstand，"hesaid。"Thankyou，Zoe。Youareright。WhateverIdowithmypreciousdocument，Iwillnotleaveithere。Totellyouthetruth，Ithought，forcertainreasons，thatafterIhadpaidmylastcallthisafternoonIshouldnotbefollowedanymore。ComebackwithmeandIwillgiveyousomedinnerbeforeyougotothetheatre。"
Sheclappedherhands。
"Ishallloveit，"shedeclared。"Butwhatshallyoudowiththedocument？"
"IshalltakearoomattheMilanHotel，"hesaid，"andgiveittothecashier。Theyhaveawonderfulsafethere。ItisthebestthingIcanthinkof。Canyousuggestanything？"
Sheconsideredforamoment。
"Doyouknowwhatisinside？"sheasked。
Heshookhishead。
"Ihavenoidea。Itisthemostmysteriousdocumentintheworld，sofarasIamconcerned。"
"Whynotopenitandreadit？"shesuggested；"thenyouwillknowexactlywhatitisallabout。Youcanlearnitbyheartandtearitup。"
"Imustthinkthatover，"hesaid。"Onesecondbeforewegoout。"
HetookfromhispockettherevolverwhichLassenhaddropped。Itwasaperfectlittleweapon，andfullycharged。Hereplaceditinhispocket，keepinghisfingeruponthetrigger。
"Now，Zoe，ifyouareready，"hesaid，"comealong。"
Theysteppedoutandenteredthetaxi，unmolested，andLaverickordered:
"TotheMilanHotel。"
CHAPTERXXIX
LASSEN\'STREACHERYDISCOVERED
Abouttwentyminutespastsixonthesameevening，Bellamy，hisclothesthickwithdust，hisfacedarkwithanger，jumpedlightlyfromasixtyhorse-powercarandrangthebelloftheliftatnumber15，DoverStreet。Arrivedonthefirstfloor，hewasconfrontedalmostimmediatelybythesad-facedman-servantofMademoiselleIdiale。
"Mademoiselleisin？"Bellamyaskedquickly。
Theman\'sexpressionwasoneofsombreregret。
"Mademoiselleisspendingthedayinthecountry，sir。Bellamytookhimbytheshouldersandflunghimagainstthewall。
"Thankyou，"hesaid，"I\'veheardthatbefore。"
HewalkeddownthepassageandknockedsoftlyatthedoorofLouise\'ssleepingapartment。Therewasnoanswer。Heknockedagainandlistenedatthekey-hole。Therewassomemovementinsidebutnoonespoke。
"Louise，"hecriedsoftly，"letmein。ItisI-David。"
Againtheonlyreplywasthestrangestofsounds。Almostitseemedasthoughawomanweretryingtospeakwithahandoverhermouth。
ThenBellamysuddenlystiffenedintorigidattention。Therewerevoicesinthesmallreceptionroom，-thevoiceofHenri，thebutler，andanother。Reluctantlyheturnedawayfromthecloseddoorandwalkedswiftlydownthepassage。Heenteredthereceptionroomandlookedaroundhiminamazement。Itwasstillindisorder。Lassensatinaneasy-chairwithatumblerofbrandybyhisside。Henriwastyingabandagearoundhishead，hiscollarwastorn，thereweremarksofbloodabouthisshirt。Bellamy\'seyessparkled。Heclosedthedoorbehindhim。
"Come，"heexclaimed，"afterall，Ifancythatmyarrivalissomewhatopportune！"
Henriturnedtowardshimwithareproachfulgesture。
"MonsieurLassenhasbeenunwell，Monsieur，"hesaid。"Hehashadafitandfallendown。"
Bellamylaughedcontemptuously。
"IthinkIcanreconstructthescenealittlebetterthanthat，"hedeclared。"Whatdoyousay，Mr。Lassen？"
Themanglaredathimviciously。
"Idonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，"hesaid。"Idonotwishtospeaktoyou。Iamill。YouhadbettergoandpersuadeMademoiselletoreturn。SheisatDover，waiting。"
"Youarealiar！"Bellamyanswered。"Sheisinherroomnow，lockedup-guarded，perhaps，byoneofyourcreatures。Ihavebeenhalf-waytoDover，butItumbledtoyourschemeintime，Mr。Lassen。
YoufoundourfriendLaverickatrifleawkward，Ifancy。"
Lassensworethroughhisteethbutsaidnothing。
"Fromyoursomewhatdishevelledappearance，"Bellamycontinued，"I
thinkImayconcludethatyouwerenotabletocometoanyamicablearrangementwithMademoiselle\'svisitor。Hedeclinedtoacceptyouasherproxy，Iimagine。Still，onemustmakesure。"
Headvancedquickly。Lassenshrankbackinhischair。
"Whatdoyoumean？"heaskedgruffly。"Keephimawayfromme，Henri。Ringthebellforyourotherman。Thisfellowwilldomeamischief。"
"NotI，"Bellamyansweredscornfully。"Staywhereyouare，Henri。
ToyourotheraccomplishmentsIhavenodoubtyouincludethatofvaleting。Takeoffhiscoat。"
"But，Monsieur！"Henriprotested。
"I\'md-difheshall！"themaninthechairsnarled。
Bellamyturnedtothedoor，lockedit，andputthekeyinhispocket。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，"IdonotforonemomentbelievethatLaverickhandedovertoyouthedocumentyouweresoanxioustoobtain。Ontheotherhand，Iimaginethatyoursomewhatbatteredappearanceistheresultoffruitlessargumentonyourpartwithaviewtoinducinghimtodoso。Nevertheless，Icanaffordtorunnorisks。Thecoatfirst，please，Henri。ItisnecessarythatIsearchitthoroughly。"
Therewasabriefhesitation。Bellamy\'shandwentreluctantlyintohispocket。
"Ihatetoseemmelodramatic，"hedeclared，"andInevercarryfirearms，butIhavealittlelife-preserverherewhichIhavelearnedhowtouseprettyeffectively。Come，youknow，itisn\'tafairfight。You\'vehadallyouwant，Lassen，andHenritherehasn\'tthemuscleofachicken。"
Lassenrose，groaning，tohisfeetandallowedhiscoattoberemoved。Bellamyglancedthroughthepockets，holdingoneletterforamomentinhishandsasheglancedattheaddress。
"ThewritingofourfriendStreuss，"heremarked，withasmile。
"No，youneednotfear，Lassen！Iamnotgoingtoreadit。Thereisplentyofproofofyourtreacherywithoutthis。"
Lassen\'sfacewaslividandhiseyesseemedlikebeads。Bellamyhandedbackthecoat。
"That\'sallright，"hesaid。"Nothingthere，Iamgladtosee-orinthewaistcoat，"headded，passinghishandsoverit。"I\'lltroubleyoutostandupforamoment，Mr。Lassen。"
ThemandidashewasbidandBellamyfelthimallover。Whenhehadfinished，heheldinhishandakey。
"ThekeyofMademoiselle\'schamber，Ihavenodoubt，"heannounced，"Iwillleaveyou，then，whileIseewhatdeviltryyouhavebeenupto。"
Hewalkedcalmlytothetablewhichstoodbythewindowanddeliberatelycutthetelephonewire。Withtheinstrumentunderhisarm，helefttheroom。Lassenblunderedtohisfeetasthoughtointercepthim，butBellamy\'seyessuddenlyflashedredfury，andthelife-preserverofwhichhehadspokenglitteredabovehishead。
Lassenstaggeredaway。
"I\'malong-sufferingman，"Bellamysaid，"andifyoudon\'tremembernowthatyou\'rethebeatendog，Imaylosemytemper。"
Helockedthemin，walkeddownthepassageandopenedthedoorofLouise\'sbedchamberwithfingersthattrembledalittle。Withasmotheredoathhecutthecordfromthearmsofthemaidandthegagfromhermouth。Louise，cladinalooseafternoongown，waslyinguponthebed，asthoughasleep。Bellamysawwithanimpulseofreliefthatshewasbreathingregularly。
"ThisisLassen\'swork，ofcourse！"heexclaimed。"Whathavetheydonetoher？"
Themaidspokethickly。Shewasverypale，andunsteadyuponherfeet。
"Itwassomethingtheyputinherwine，"shefaltered。"IheardMr。
Lassensaythatitwouldkeepherquietforthreeorfourhours。I
think-Ithinkthatsheiswakingnow。"
Louiseopenedhereyesandlookedatthemwithamazement。Bellamysatbythesideofthebedandsupportedherwithhisarm。
"Itisonlyaskirmish，dear，"hewhispered，"anditisadrawnbattle，althoughyougottheworstofit。"
Sheputherhandtoherhead，strugglingtoremember。
"Mr。Laverickhasbeenhere？"sheasked。
"Hehas。YourfriendLassenhasbeentakingahandinthegame。I
cameheretofindyoulikethisandAnnettetiedup。Henriisinwithhim。WhathasbecomeofyourotherservantsIdon\'tknow。"
"Henriaskedforaholidayforthem，"shesaid，thecolorslowlyreturningtohercheeks。"Ibegintounderstand。Buttellme，whathappenedwhenMr。Laverickcame？"
"Icanonlyguess，"Bellamyanswered，"butitseemsthatLassenmusthavereceivedhimasthoughwithyourauthority。"
"Andwhatthen？"sheaskedquickly。
"Iamalmostcertain，"Bellamydeclared，"thatLaverickrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithhim。IreceivedawirefromDovertosaythatyouwereonyourwayhome，andaskingmetomeetyouattheLordWardenHotel。IborrowedMontresor\'sracing-car，butIsenttelegrams，andIwasprettysoononmywayback。WhenIarrivedhere，IfoundLasseninyourlittleroomwithabrokenhead。
EvidentlyLaverickandhehadascrimmageandhegottheworstofit。Ihavesearchedhimtohisbonesandhehasnopaper。Laverickbroughtithere，withoutadoubt，andhastakenitawayagain。"
Sherosetoherfeet。
"GoandletLassenout，"shesaid。"Tellhimhemustnevercomehereagain。IwillseehimattheOperaHouseto-nightorto-morrownight-thatis，ifIcangetthere。IdonotknowwhetherIshallfeelfittosing。"
"Ishalltaketheliberty，also，"remarkedBellamy，"ofkickingHenriout。"
Louisesighed。
"Hewassuchagoodservant。IthinkitmusthavecostourfriendStreussagooddealtobuyHenri。Youwillcomebacktomewhenyouhavefinishedwiththem？"
Bellamymadeshortworkofhisdiscomfitedprisoners。LassenwassurlybutonlyeagertodepartHenriwasresignedbuttearful。
Almostastheywenttheotherservantsbegantoreturnfromtheirvariousmissions。BellamywentbacktoLouise，whowaslyingdownagainanddrinkingsometea。ShemotionedBellamytocomeovertoherside。
"Tellme，"sheasked，"whatareyougoingtodonow？"
"IamgoingtodowhatIoughttohavedonebefore，"Bellamyanswered。
"Laverick\'sconnectionwiththisaffairissuspiciousenough，butafterallheisasportsmanandanEnglishman。Iamgoingtotellhimwhatthatenvelopecontains-tellhimthetruth。"
"Youareright！"sheexclaimed。"Whateverhemayhavedone，ifyoutellhimthetruthhewillgiveyouthatdocument。Iamsureofit。
Doyouknowwheretofindhim？"
"Ishallgotohisrooms，"Bellamydeclared。"Imustbequick，too，forLassenisfree-theywillknowthathehasfailed。"
"Comebacktome，David，"shebegged，andhekissedherfingersandhurriedout。
CHAPTERXXX
THECONTESTFORTHEPAPERS
Laverick，sittingwithZoeatdinner，caughthiscompanionlookingaroundtherestaurantwithanexpressioninherfacewhichhedidnotwhollyunderstand。
"Somethingisthematterwithyouthisevening，Zoe，"hesaidanxiously。"Tellmewhatitis。Youdon\'tlikethisplace，perhaps？"
"OfcourseIdo。"
"Itisyourdinner，then，orme？"hepersisted。"Come，outwithit。
Haven\'twepromisedtotelleachotherthetruthalways？"
Thepinkcolorcameslowlyintohercheeks。Hereyes，raisedforamomenttohis，werealmostreproachful。
"Youknowverywellthatitisnotanythingtodowithyou，"shewhispered。"Youaretookindtomeallthetime。Only，"shewenton，alittlehesitatingly，"don\'tyourealize-can\'tyouseehowdifferentlymostofthegirlsherearedressed？Idon\'tmindsomuchformyself-butyou-youhavesomanyfriends。Youkeeponseeingpeoplewhomyouknow。IamafraidtheywillthinkthatI
oughtnottobehere。"
Helookedatherinsurprise，mingled，perhaps，withcompunction。
Forthefirsttimeheappreciatedtheactualshabbinessofherclothes。Everythingaboutherwassoneat-patheticallyneat，asitseemedtohiminoneilluminatingmomentofrealization。Thewhitelinencollar，notwithstandingitsfrayededges，wasspotlesslyclean。Theblackbowwascarefullytiedtoconcealitswornparts。
Hergloveshadbeenstitchedagoodmanytimes。Hergown，althoughitwastidy，wasold-fashionedandhaddistinctlyseenitsbestdays。
Hesuddenlyrecognizedtheeffort-thealmostdespairingeffort-
whichhertoilettehadcosther。
"Idon\'tthinkthatmennoticethesethings，"hesaidsimply。"Tomeyoulookjustasyoushouldlook-andIwouldn\'tchangeplaceswithanyothermanintheroomforagreatdeal。"
Hereyesweresoft-perilouslysoft-asshelookedathimwithupliftedeyebrowsandafaintsmilestrugglingatthecornersofherlips。Awaveoftendernesscreptintohisheart。Whatabravelittlechildshewas！
"Youwillquitespoilmeifyoumakesuchnicespeeches，"shemurmured。
"Anyhow，"hewenton，speakingwithdecision，"solongasyoufeellikethat，youaregoingtohaveanewgown-ortwo-andanewhat，andyouaregoingtohavethematonce。Theyaregoingtobeboughtwithyourbrother\'smoney，mind。ShallIcomeshoppingwithyou？"
Sheshookherhead。
