第8章

"Mind，itispartlyforyoursakethatIgivein，"shesaid。"Itwouldbelovelytohaveyoucome，butyouwouldspendfartoomuchmoney。Youreallymeanitall？"

"Absolutely，"heanswered。"Iinsistuponit。"

Sheleanedtowardshimwithdancingeyes。Afterall，shewasverymuchofachild。Theprospectofanewgown，nowthatshepermittedherselftothinkofit，wasenthralling。

"Imightgetacoatandskirt，"sheremarkedthoughtfully，"andasimplewhitedress。Ablackhatwoulddoforbothofthem，then。"

"Don\'tyoustudyyourbrothertoomuch，"Laverickdeclared。"Hisstockisgoingupallthetime。"

"Tellmeyourfavoritecolor，"shebeggedconfidentially。

"Ican\'tconceiveyourlookingnicerthanyoudoinblack，"hereplied。

Shemadeawryface。

"Isupposeitmustbeblack，"shemurmureddoubtfully。"Itismuchmoreeconomicalthananything-"

Shebrokeofftobowtoastout，red-facedmanwho，afterarudestare，hadgreetedherwithapatronizingnod。Laverickfrowned。

"Whoisthatfellow？"heasked。

"Mr。Heepman，ourstage-manager，"Zoeanswered，alittletimidly。

"Isthereanyparticularreasonwhyheshouldbehavelikeaboor？"

Laverickcontinued，raisinghisvoicealittle。

Shecaughtathisarminterror。Themanwassittingatthenexttable。

"Don\'t，please！"sheimplored。"Hemighthearyou。Heisjustbehindthere。"

Laverickhalfturnedinhischair。Sheguessedwhathewasabouttosay，andwentonrapidly。

"Hehasbeensofoolish，"shewhispered。"Hehasaskedmesooftentogooutwithhim。Andhecouldgetmesentaway，ifhewanted，anytime。Healmostthreatenedit，thelasttimeIrefused。Nowthathehasseenmewithyou，hewillbeworsethanever。"

Laverick\'sfacedarkened，andtherewasapeculiarflashinhiseyes。

Themanwascertainlylookingattheminarudemanner。

"Therearesomanyofthegirlswhowouldonlybetoopleasedtogowithhim，"Zoecontinued，inaterrifiedundertone。"Ican\'tthinkwhyhebothersme。"

"Ican，"Laverickmuttered。"Let\'sforgetaboutthebrute。"

ButthedinnerwasalreadyspoiledforZoe，soLaverickpaidthebillafewminuteslater，andwalkedacrosstothestage-doorofthetheatrewithher。Herlittlehand，whenshegaveittohimatparting，wasquitecold。

"I\'masnervousasIcanbe，"sheconfessed。"Mr。Heepmanwillbewatchingallthenightforsomethingtofindfaultwithmeabout。"

"Don\'tyoulethimbullyyou，"Laverickbegged。

"Iwon\'t，"shepromised。"Good-bye！Thankssomuchformydinner。"

Sheturnedawaywithabraveattemptatasmile，butitwasonlyanattempt。Laverickwalkedontohisclub。Therewasnooneinthedining-roomwhomheknew，andthecard-roomwasempty。Heplayedonegameofbilliards，butheplayedbadly。Hewasupset。Hisnerveswerewronghetoldhimself，andlittlewonder。Thereseemedtobenochanceofarubberatbridge，sohesalliedoutagainandwalkedaimlesslytowardsCoventGarden。OutsidetheOperaHousehehesitatedandfinallyentered，yieldingtoanimpulsethenatureofwhichhescarcelyrecognized。Whilehewasinquiringaboutastall，asmallprintednoticewasthrustintohishand。Hereaditwithaslightstart。

WeregrettoannouncethatowingtoindispositionMademoiselleIdialewillnotbeabletoappearthisevening。ThepartofDelilahwillbetakenbyMademoiselleBlancheTemoigne，lateoftheRoyalOperaHouse，St。Petersburg。

Tenminuteslater，LaverickrangthebellofherflatinDoverStreet。

Astrangeman-servantansweredhim。

"IcametoinquireafterMademoiselleIdiale，"Lavericksaid。

Themanheldoutatrayonwhichwasalreadyasmallheapofcards。

Laverick，however，retainedhis。

"Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtakemineintoher，"hesaid。"I

thinkitisjustlikelythatshemayseemeforamoment。"

Theservant\'sattitudewasoneofcivilbutunconcealedhostility。

HewouldhaveclosedthedoorhadnotLaverickalreadypassedoverthethreshold。

"Madameisnotwellenoughtoreceivevisitors，sir，"themandeclared。"Sheshallhaveyourcardassoonaspossible。"

"Ishouldlikehertohaveitnow，"Laverickpersisted，drawingafive-poundnotefromhispocket。

Themanlookedatthenotelongingly。

"Itwouldbeonlywasteoftime，sir，"hedeclared。"Mademoiselleisconfinedtoherbedroomandmyordersareabsolute。"

"Youarenotthemanwhowashereearlierintheday，"Laverickremarked。"Iwonder，"hecontinued，withasuddeninspiration，"whetheryouarenotMr。Bellamy\'sservant？"

"Thatisso，sir。Mr。BellamyhassentmeheretoseethatnoonehasaccesstoMademoiselleIdiale。"

"Thenthereisnoharmwhateverintakinginmycard，"Laverickdeclaredconvincingly。"Youcanputthatnoteinyourpocket。I

amperfectlycertainthatMademoiselleIdialewillseeme，andthatyourmasterwouldwishhertodoso。"

"Iwilltaketherisk，sir，"themandecided，"buttheordersIhavereceivedwerestringent。"

Hedisappearedandwasgoneforseveralmoments。Whenhecamebackhewasaccompaniedbyapale-facedwomandressedinblack，obviouslyamaid。

"MonsieurLaverick，"shesaid，"MademoiselleIdialewillreceiveyou。Ifyouwillcomethisway？"

Sheopenedthedoorofthelittlereception-room，andLaverickfollowedher。Themanreturnedtohisplaceinthehall。

"Madamewillbehereinamoment，"themaidsaid。"Shewillbegladtoseeyou，butshehasbeenverybadlyfrightened。"

Laverickbowedsympathetically。Thewomanherselfwasgray-faced，terror-stricken。

"ItisMonsieurLassen，themanagerofMadame，whohascausedagreatdealoftroublehere，"shesaid。"Madamenevertrustedhimandnowwehavediscoveredthatheisaspy。"

Thewomanseemedtofadeaway。ThedooroftheinnerroomwasopenedandLouisecameout。Shewasstillexceedinglypale，andthereweredarkrimsunderhereyes。Shecameacrosstheroomwithoutstretchedhands。Therewasnodoubtwhateverastoherpleasure。

"YouhaveseenMr。Bellamy？"sheasked。

Laverickshookhishead。

"No，IhaveseennothingofBellamyto-day。Icametocalluponyouthisafternoon。"

Shewrungherhands。

"Youunderstand，ofcourse！"sheexclaimed。"IdidnottrustLassen，butIneverimaginedanythinglikethis。HeisanAustrian。

OnlyafewhoursagoIlearnedthatheisoneoftheirmostheavilypaidspies。Streussgotholdofhim。Butthere，Iforgot-youdonotunderstandthis。Itisenoughthathelaidaplottogetthatdocumentfromyou。Whereisit，Mr。Laverick？Youhavebroughtitnow？"

"Why，no，"Laverickanswered，"Ihavenot。"

Hereyeswereroundwithterror。Sheheldoutherhandsasthoughtokeepawaysometormentingthought。

"Whereisit？"shecried。"Youhavenotpartedwithit？

"Ihavenot，"Laverickrepliedgravely。"ItisinthesafedepositofahoteltowhichIhavemoved。"

Sheclosedhereyesanddrewalongbreathofrelief。

"Youarenotwell，"Lavericksaid。"Letmehelpyoutoachair。"

Shesatdownwearily。

"Whyhaveyoumovedtoahotel？"sheasked。

"Totellyouthetruth，"Laverickanswered，"IseemtohavewanderedintoasortofmodernArabianNights。Threetimesto-dayattemptshavebeenmadetogetthatdocumentfrommebyforce。I

havebeenfollowedwhereeverIwent。Ifeltthatitwasnotsafeinmychambers，soImovedtoahotelanddepositeditintheirstrong-room。IhavecometotheconclusionthatthebestthingI

candoistoopenitto-morrowmorning，anddecideformyselfastoitsdestination。"

Louisesatquitestillforseveralmoments。Thensheopenedhereyes。

"Whatyousayisanimmenserelieftome，Mr。Laverick，"shedeclared。"Iperceivenowthatwehavemadeamistake。Weshouldhavetoldyouthewholetruthfromthefirst。ThisafternoonwhenMr。Bellamyleftme，itwastocometoyouandtellyoueverything。"

Lavericklistenedgravely。

"Really，"hesaid，"itseemstomethewisestcourse。Ihaven\'ttheleastdesiretokeepthedocument。IcannotthinkwhyBellamydidnottreatmewithconfidencefromthefirst-"

Hestoppedshort。Suddenlyheunderstood。SomethinginLouise\'sfacegavehimthehint。

"Ofcourse！"hemurmuredtohimself。

"Mr。Laverick，"Louisesaidquietly，"inthismatterIamnoman\'sjudge，yet，asyouandIknowwell，thatpapercouldhavecomeintoyourhandsinoneway，andonewayonly。Theremaybesomeexplanation。Ifso，itisforyoutoofferitornot，asyouthinkbest。Mr。BellamyandIarealliesinthismatter。Itisnotourbusinesstointerferewiththecourseofjustice。Youwillrunnoriskinpartingwiththatpaper。

"WherecanIseeBellamy？"LaverickInquired，risingandtakinguphishat。

"Hewouldgostraighttoyourrooms，"sheanswered。"Didyouleavewordtherewhereyouhadgone？"

"PurposelyIdidnot，"Laverickreplied。"Ihadbettertryandfindhim，perhaps。"

"Itisnotnecessary，"sheannounced。"NowonderthatyoufeelyourselftohavewanderedintotheArabianNights，Mr。Laverick。

Therearetwosetsofspieswhofollowyoueverywhere-twosetsthatIknowof。Theremaybeanother。"

"YouthinkthatBellamywillfindme？"heasked。

"Iamsureofit。"

"ThenI\'llgobacktothehotelandwait。"

Shehurriedhimaway，butatthedoorshedetainedhimforamoment。

"Mr。Laverick，"shesaid，lookingathimearnestly，"somehoworotherIcannothelpbelievingthatyouareanhonestman。

Lavericksighed。Heopenedhislipsbutclosedthemagain。

"Youareverykind，Mademoiselle，"hedeclaredsimply。

Laverick，asheenteredthereceptionhallattheMilanHotel，noticedamanleaningoverthecashier\'sdesktalkingconfidentiallytotheclerkincharge。ThelatterrecognizedLaverickwithobviousrelief，andatoncedirectedhisquestioner\'sattentiontohim。Kahnturnedswiftlyaroundandwithoutamoment\'shesitationcamesmilingtowardsLaverickwiththeapparentintentionofaccostinghim。Hewascorrectlygarbed，tallandfair，witheveryappearanceofbeingamanofbreeding。HeglancedatLaverickcarelesslyashepassed，but，asthoughchanginghisoriginalpurpose，madenoattempttoaddresshim。Thecashier，whohadbeenwatching，gaveventtoalittleexclamationofsurpriseandsprangoverthecounter。HeapproachedLaverickhastily。

"Doyouknowthatgentlemanjustgoingout，sir？"heasked。

"Ineversawhimbeforeinmylife，"Laverickanswered。"Why？"

"Isthisyourhandwriting，sir？"themaninquired，touchingwithhisforefingerthehalfsheetofnote-paperwhichhehadbeencarrying。

Laverickreadquickly，-

TotheCashierattheMilanHotel，-Delivertobearerdocumentdepositedwithyou。STEPHENLAVERICK。

"Itisnot，"hedeclaredpromptly。"Itisanimpudentforgery。

GoodGod！Youdon\'tmeantosaythatyoupartedwithmypropertyto-"

Thecashierstoppedhisbreathlessquestion。

"Ihaven\'tpartedwithanything，sir，"hesaid。"Iwasjustwonderingwhattodowhenyoucamein。I\'dnoreasontobelievethatthesignaturewasaforgery，butIdidn\'tlikethelookofit，somehow。We\'dbetterbeafterhim。Comealong，sir。"

Theyhurriedoutside。Themanwasnowhereinsight。Thecashiersummonedtheheadporter。

"Agentlemanhasjustcomeout，"heexclaimed，-"tallandfair，verycarefullydressed，withasingleeyeglass！Whichwaydidhego？"

"He\'sjustdrivenoffinabigDaimlercar，sir，"theporteranswered。"Inoticedhimparticularly。HespoketothechauffeurinAustrian。"

LavericklookedoutintotheStrand。

"Can\'twestophim？"heaskedrapidly。

Theportersmiledasheshookhishead。

"Nottheghostofachance，sir。Heshotroundthecornerthereasthoughhewereinadesperatehurry，andwentthewrongsideoftheisland。Iheardthepolicecallingtohim。Ihopethere\'snothingwrong，Mr。Dean？"

ThecashierhesitatedandglancedatLaverick。

"Nothingmuch，"Laverickanswered。"Weshouldhavelikedtohaveaskedhimaquestion-thatisall。"

Bellamycameoutfromthehotelandpausedtolightacigarette。

"Howareyou，Laverick？"hesaidquietly。"Nothingthematter，I

hope？"

"Nothingworthmentioning，"Laverickreplied。

Thecashierreturnedtohisduties。Thetwomenwerealone。

Bellamy，mostcarefullydressed，withhissilver-headedcaneunderhisarm，andhissilkhatatpreciselythecorrectangle，seemedveryfarremovedfromtheworkofintrigueintowhichLaverickfelthimselftohaveblundered。Helookeddownforamomentatthetipsofhispatentshoesandupagainatthesky，asthoughanxiousabouttheweather。

"Whataboutadrink，Laverick？"heaskednonchalantly。

"Delighted！"Laverickassented。

CHAPTERXXXI

MISSLENEVEU\'SMESSAGE

Thetwomensteppedbackintothehotel。Thecashierhadreturnedtohisdesk，andtheincidentwhichhadjusttranspiredseemedtohavepassedunnoticed。Nevertheless，Laverickfeltthatthestudiedindifferenceofhiscompanion\'smannerhaditssignificance，andheendeavoredtoimitateit。

"Shallwegothroughintothebar？"heasked。"There\'sveryseldomanyonethereatthistime。"

"Anywhereyousay，Bellamyanswered。"It\'syearssincewehadadrinktogether。"

Theypassedintotheinnerroomand，findingitempty，drewtwochairsintothefurthercorner。Bellamysummonedthewaiter。

"Twowhiskiesandsodasquick，Tim，"heordered。"Now，Laverick，listentome，"headded，asthewaiterturnedaway。"Wearealoneforthemomentbutitwon\'tbeforlong。Youknowverywellthatitwasn\'ttorenewourschoolboyacquaintancethatI\'veaskedyoutocomeinherewithme。"

Laverickdrewalittlebreath。

"Pleasegoon，"hesaid。"Iamasanxiousasyoucanbetograspthisaffairproperly。"

"Whenweleftschool，"Bellamyremarked，"youweredestinedfortheStockExchange。IwentfirsttoMagdalen。Didyoueverhearwhatbecameofmeafterwards？"

"Ialwaysunderstood，"Laverickanswered，"thatyouwentintooneoftheGovernmentoffices。"

"Quiteright，"Bellamyassented。"Idid。AtthismomentIhavethehonortoserveHisMajesty。"

"Twothousandayearandtwohoursworkaday，"Lavericklaughed。

"Iknowthesortofthing。"

"Youevidentlydon\'t，"Bellamyanswered。"Ioftenworktwentyhoursaday，Idon\'tgethalftwothousandayear，andmostofthetimeIcarrymylifeinmyhands。WhenIamworking-andI

amworkingnow-Iamneversureofthemorrow。"

Lavericklookedathimincredulously。

"You\'renotjoking，Bellamy？"heasked。

"Notbyanymannerofmeans。IhavethehonortobeahumblememberofHisMajesty\'sSecretService。"

Laverickglancedathiscompanionwonderingly。

"Ireallydidn\'tknow，"hesaid，"thatsuchaservicehadanyactualexistenceexceptinnovels。"

"Iamaprooftothecontrary，"Bellamydeclaredgrimly。"Abroad，Irunalwaystheriskofbeingdubbedaspyandtreatedlikeone。

Athome，IamsimplytheheadoftheA2BranchoftheSecretService。

Herecomeourdrinks。"

Laverickraisedhiswhiskeyandsodatohislipsmechanically。

"Here\'sluck！"heexclaimed。"Nowgoon，Bellamy，"hecontinued。

"Thewaitercan\'toverhear。"

Bellamysmiled。

"Timisoneofthefewpersonsintheplace，"hesaid，"whomonecantrust。Asamatteroffact，hehasbeenveryusefultomemorethanonce。Nowlistentomeattentively，Laverick。Iamgoingtospeaktoyouasonemantoanother。"

Lavericknodded。

"Iamready，"hesaid。

"LastMonday，"Bellamywenton，leaningforwardandspeakinginasoftbutverydistinctundertone，"amanwasmurderedlateatnightintheheartofthecity-withinonehundredyardsoftheStockExchange。Thepaperscalleditamysteriousmurder。Nooneknowswhothemanwas，orwhocommittedthecrime，orwhy。YouandI，Laverick，bothknowalittlemorethantherestoftheworld。"

"Well？"

"Themurder，"Bellamycontinued，withastrangelightinhiseyes，"wasaccomplishedonlyastone\'sthrowfromyouroffice。"

Lavericklitacigaretteandthrewthematchaway。

"Horribleaffairitwas，"heremarked。

Bellamyglancedtowardthedoor，-amanhadlookedinanddeparted。

"Enoughofthisfencing，Laverick，"hesaid。"Atheftwascommittedfromthepersonofthatmurderedman，ofwhichthegeneralpublicknowsnothing。Apocketbookwasstolenfromhimcontainingtwentythousandpoundsandasealeddocument。Astowhomurderedtheman，Iwantyoutounderstandthatthatisnotmyaffair。Astowhathasbecomeofthattwentythousandpounds，Ihavenottheslightestcuriosity。Iwantthedocument。"

"Whatclaimhaveyoutoit？"Laverickaskedquickly。

"Imightretort，butIwillnot，"Bellamyreplied。"Timeistooshort。Iwillansweryoubyexplainingwhothemanwasandwhatthatdocumentconsistsof。Theman\'snamewasVonBehrling，andhewasatrustedagentoftheAustrianSecretService。ThedocumentofwhichhewasrobbedcontainsaverbatimreportoftheconferencewhichrecentlytookplaceatViennabetweentheEmperorofGermany，theEmperorofAustria，andtheCzarofRussia。ItcontainsthedetailsofaplotagainstthiscountryandtheundertakingsenteredintobythoseseveralPowers。Iwantthatdocument，Laverick。HaveIestablishedmyclaim？"

"Youhave，"Laverickanswered。"WhyonearthDidn\'tyoucometomebefore？Don\'tyoubelievethatIshouldhavelistenedtoyouasreadilyastoMademoiselleIdiale？"

"IwishthatIhadcome，"Bellamyadmitted，"andyet，hereisthetruth，Laverick，becausethetruthisbest。Twenty-twoyearsliebetweenusandthetimewhenweknewanythingofoneanother。Tome，therefore，youareastranger。IhadmyspiesfollowingVonBehrlingthatnight。Iknowthatyoutookthepocket-bookfromhisdeadbody。Ifyoudidnotmurderhimyourself，thedeedwasdonebyanaccompliceofyours。HowwasItotrustyou？Wearespeakingnakedwords，myfriend。Wearedealingwithnakedtruths。Tomeyouwereamurdererandathief。Awordfrommeandyouwouldhaverealizedthevalueofthatdocument。ItellyoufranklythatAustriawouldgiveyoualmostanysumforitto-day。"

Laverick，strongmanthoughhewas，wasconsciousofasuddenweakness。Heraisedhishandtohisforeheadanddrewitaway-wet。

Hestruggleddesperatelyforself-control。

"Bellamy，"hesaid，"here\'struthfortruth。Iamnotonmytrialbeforeyou。Believeme，man，forGod\'ssake！"

"I\'lltry，"Bellamypromised。"Goon。"

"ThatnightIstayedatmyofficelatebecauseIsawruinbeforemeonthemorrow。Ileftitmeaningtogostraighthome。Ilitacigarettenearthatentry，andbythelightofamatch，asIwasthrowingitaway，Isawthemurderedman。IthinkforatimeIwasparalyzed。Thepocket-bookwashalfdraggedoutfromhispocket。

WhyIlookedinsideitIdon\'tknow。IhadsomesortofwildideathatImustfindoutwhohewas。Mindyou，though，Ishouldhavegiventhealarmatonce，buttherewasn\'tasoulinthestreet。

TherewasamanlurkingintheentryandIchasedhim，unsuccessfully。

WhenIcameback，thebodywasstillthereandthestreetempty。I

lookedinsidethatpocket-book，whichwouldhavebeeninthepossessionofhismurdererbutformyunexpectedappearance。Isawthenotesthere。OncemoreIwentoutintothestreet。Igavenoalarm，-Iamnotattemptingtoexplainwhy。Iwaslikeamanmadesuddenlymad。Iwentbacktomyofficeandshutmyselfin。"

Bellamypointedtotheglassessilently。Thewaitercameforwardandrefilledthem。

"Bellamy，"Laverickcontinued，"yourcareerandmineliefarapart，andyet，attheirbackbone，asthereisatthebackboneofeveryman\'slife，theremustbesomethingofthesamesortofambition。

MygrandfatherlivedanddiedamemberoftheStockExchange，honoredandwellthoughtof。Myfatherfollowedinhisfootsteps。I，too，wasthere。Withoutbecomingwealthy，thenameIbearhasbecomeknownandrespected。Failure，whateveronemaysay，meansabrokenlifeandabrokenhonor。IsatinmyofficeandIknewthattheuseofthosenotesforafewdaysmightsavemefromdisgrace，mightkeepthename，whichmyfatherandgrandfatherhadguardedsojealously，freefromshame。Iwouldhavepaidanypricefortheuseofthem。Iwouldhavepaidwithmylife，ifthathadbeenpossible。

ThinkoftheriskIran-thedangerIamnowin。Idepositedthosenotesonthemorrowassecurityatmybank，andImetallmyengagements。Thecrisisisover！ThosenotesareinasafedepositvaultinChanceryLane！IonlywishtoHeaventhatIcouldfindtheowner！"

"Andthedocument？"Bellamyasked。"Thedocument？"

"Itisinthehotelsafe，"Laverickanswered。

Bellamydrewalongsighofrelief。Thenheemptiedhistumblerandlitacigarette。

"Laverick，"hedeclared，"Ibelieveyou。"

"ThankGod！"Laverickmuttered。

"Iamnocrimeinvestigator，"Bellamywentonthoughtfully。"AstowhokilledVonBehrling，orwhy，Icannotnowformtheslightestidea。Thattwentythousandpounds，Laverick，isSecretServicemoney，paidbymetoVonBehrlingonlyhalf-an-hourbeforehewasmurdered，inasmallrestaurantthere，forwhatIsupposedtobethedocument。Hedeceivedmebymakingupafalsepacket。Therealonehekept。Hedeservedtodie，andIamgladheisdead。"

Laverick\'sfacewassuddenlyhopeful。

"Thenyoucantakethesenotes！"heexclaimed。

Bellamynodded。

"Inafewdays，"hesaid，"Ishalltakeyouwithmetoafriendofmine-aCabinetMinister。Youshalltellhimthestoryexactlyasyou\'vetoldittome，andrestorethemoney。"

Lavericklaughedlikeachild。

"Don\'tthinkI\'mmad，"heapologized，"butIamnotapersonlikeyou，Bellamy，-usedtoadventuresandthissortofwildhappenings。

I\'masteady-going，matter-of-factEnglishman，andthisthinghasbeenlikeahatefulnightmaretome。Ican\'tbelievethatI\'mgoingtogetridofit。"

Bellamysmiled。

"It\'sagreatadventure，"hedeclared，"tocometoanyonelikeyou。

Totellyouthetruth，Ican\'timaginehowyouhadthepluck-don\'tmisunderstandme，Imeanthemoralpluck-torunsucharisk。Why，atthemomentyouusedthosenotes，"Bellamycontinued，"theoddsmusthavebeenabouttwentytooneagainstyournotbeingfoundout。"

"Onedoesn\'tstoptocounttheodds，"Lavericksaidgrimly。"IsawachanceofsalvationandIwentforit。Andnowaboutthisletter。"

Bellamyrosetohisfeet。

"OntheKing\'sservice！"hewhisperedsoftly。

Theywalkedoncemoretothecashier\'sdesk。Astrangergreetedthem。

Laverickproducedhisreceipt。

"IshouldlikethepacketIdepositedherethisevening，"hesaid。

"Iamsorrytotroubleyou，butIfindthatIrequireitunexpectedly。"

Theclerkglancedatthereceiptandupattheclock。"Iamafraid，sir，"heanswered，"thatwecannotgetatitbeforethemorning。"

"Whynot？"Laverickdemanded，frowning。

"Mr。Deanhasjustgonehome，"themandeclared，"andheistheonlyonewhoknowsthecombinationonthe\'L\'safe。Yousee，sir，"hecontinued，"wekeepthisparticularsafefordocuments，andwedidnotexpectthatanythingwouldberequiredfromitto-night。"

BellamydrewLaverickaway。

"Afterall，"hesaid，"perhapsto-morrowmorningwouldbebetter。

There\'snoneedtogetshirtywiththesefellows。Asamatteroffact，Idon\'tthinkthatIshouldhavedaredtoreceiveitwithoutmakingsomespecialpreparations。IcangetsomeplainclothesmenhereuponwhomIcanrely，atnineo\'clock。"

Theystrolledbackintothehall。

"Tellme，"Laverickasked，"doyouknowwhothemanwaswhoforgedmynametotheorderafewhoursago？"

Bellamynodded。

"ItwasAdolfKahn，anAustrianspy。Ihavebeenwatchinghimfordays。Ifthey\'dgivenhimthepaperIhadfourmenatthedoor，butitwouldhavebeentouchandgo。Heisaveryprinceofconspirators，thatfellow。Totellyouthetruth，IthinkImightaswellgohome。"

Bellamywasdrawingonhisgloveswhenthehall-porterbroughtanotetoLaverick。

"Amessengerhasjustleftthisforyou，sir，"heexplained。

Lavericktoreopentheenvelope。Thecontentsconsistedofafewwordsonly，writtenonplainnote-paperandinahandwritingwhichwasstrangetohim。

"Ringup1232Gerrard。"

Laverickfrowned，turnedoverthehalfsheetofpaperandlookedoncemoreattheenvelope。Thenhepasseditontohiscompanion。

"Whatdoyoumakeofthat，Bellamy？"heasked。

Bellamysmiledasheperusedandreturnedit。

"Whatcouldanyonemakeofit？"heremarked，laconically。"Doyouknowthehandwriting？"

"Neversawitbefore，tomyknowledge，"Laverickanswered。"Whatshouldyoudoaboutit？"

"Ithink，"Bellamysuggested，"thatIshouldringupnumber1232

Gerrard。"

TheycrossedthehallandLaverickenteredoneofthetelephonebooths。

"1232Gerrard，"hesaid。

Theconnectionwasmadealmostatonce。

"Whoareyou？"Laverickasked。

"IamspeakingforMissZoeLeneven，"wasthereply。"AreyouMr。

Laverick？"

"Iam，"Laverickanswered。"IsMissLeneveuthere？Canshespeaktomeherself？"

"Sheisnothere，"thevoicecontinued。"Shewasfetchedawayinahurryfromthetheatre-weunderstoodbyherbrother。Shelefttwoandsixpencewiththedoorkeeperheretoringyouupandexplainthatshehadbeensummonedtoherbrother\'srooms，25，JermynStreet，andwouldyoukindlygoonthere。"

"Whoareyou？"Laverickdemanded。

Therewasnoreply。Laverickremainedspeechless，listeningintently。Hestoodstillwiththereceiverpressedtohisear。Wasithisfancy，orwasthatreallyZoe\'sprotestingvoicewhichheheardinthebackground？Itwasawomanorachildwhowasspeaking-hewasalmostsurethatitwasZoe。

"Whoareyou？"heaskedfiercely。"MissLeneveuistherewithyou。

Whydoesshenotspeakforherself？"

"MissLeneveuisnothere，"wastheanswer。"Ihavedonewhatshedesired。Youcanpleaseyourselfwhetheryougoornot。Theaddressis25，JermynStreet。Ringoff。"

Theconnectionwasgone。Lavericklaiddownthereceiverandsteppedoutofthebooth。

"Imustbeoffatonce，"hesaidtoBellamy。"You\'llberoundinthemorning？"

Bellamysmiled。

"Afterall，"heremarked，"Ihavechangedmyplans。Ishallnotleavethehotel。Iamgoingtotelephoneroundtomymantobringmesomeclothes。Bythebye，doyoumindtellingmewhetherthismessagewhichyouhavejustreceivedhadanythingtodowiththelittleaffairinwhichweareinterested？"

"Notdirectly，"Laverickanswered，afteramoment\'shesitation。

"Themessagewasfromayounglady。Ihavetogoandmeether。"

"Ayoungladywhomyoucantrust？"Bellamyinquiredquietly。

"Implicitly，"Laverickassuredhim。

"Shespokeherself？"

"No，shesentamessage。Excuseme，Bellamy，won\'tyou，butI

mustreallygo。"

"Byallmeans，"Bellamyanswered。

Theystoodattheentrancetothehoteltogetherwhileataxicabwassummoned。Lavericksteppedquicklyin。

"25，JermynStreet，"heordered。

Bellamywatchedhimdriveoff。Thenhesighed。

"Ithink，myfriendLaverick，"hesaidsoftly，"thatyouwillneedsomeonetolookafteryouto-night。"

CHAPTERXXXII

MORRISONISDESPERATE

CertainlyitwasastrangelittlegatheringthatwaitedinMorrison\'sroomforthecomingofLaverick。TherewasLassen-flushed，ugly，breathingheavily，andwatchingthedoorwithfixed，beadyeyes。

TherewasAdolfKahn，themanwhohadstrolledoutfromtheMilanHotelasLaverickhadenteredit，leavingtheforgedorderbehindhim。TherewasStreuss-stern，anddesperatewithanxiety。TherewasMorrisonhimself，intheclothesofaworkman，worntoashadow，withthefurtivegleamofterrifiedguiltshininginhissunkeneyes，andtheslouchedshouldersandbrokenmienofthehabitualcriminal。TherewasZoe，aroundwhomtheywereallstanding，withangerburninginhercheeksandgleamingoutofherpassion-filledeyes。She，too，liketheothers，watchedthedoor。Sotheywaited。

Streuss，notforthefirsttime，movedtothewindowanddrawingasidethecurtainslookeddownintothestreet。

"Willhecome-thisEnglishman？"hemuttered。"Hashecourage？"

"Morecouragethanyouwhokeepagirlhereagainstherwill！"Zoepanted，lookingathimdefiantly。"Morecouragethanmypoorbrother，whostandstherelikeacoward！"

"Shutup，Zoe！"Morrisonexclaimedharshly。"Thereisnothingforyoutobefuriousaboutorfrightened。Noonewantstoill-treatyou。Thesegentlemenallwanttobehavekindlytous。ItisLavericktheywant。"

"Andyou，"shecried，"arecontenttostandbyandlethimwalkintoatrap-youletthemevenusemynametobringhimhere！

Arthur，beaman！Havenothingmoretodowiththem。Helpmetogetawayfromthisplace。Callout。Dosomethinginsteadofstandingthereandwastingthepreciousminutes。"

Hecametowardsher-uglyandthreatening。

"I\'lldosomethinginaminute，"hedeclaredsavagely，-"somethingyouwon\'tlike，either。Keepyourmouthshut，Itellyou。It\'smeorhim，and，byHeavens，hedeserveswhathe\'llget！"

StreussturnedawayfromthewindowandlookedtowardsZoe。

"Younglady，"hesaidquietly，"letmebegyounottodistressyourselfso。Isincerelytrustthatnothingunpleasantwillhappen。

Ifitdoes，Ipromiseyouthatwewillarrangeforyourtemporaryabsence。Youshallnotbedisturbedinanyway。"

"Andasregardsyourbrother，haveacare，younglady，"Lassengrowled。"Ifanyone\'sindanger，it\'she。He\'llbeluckyifhesaveshisownskin。"

Theyoungmangloweredather。

"Youhearthat，youlittlefool！"hemuttered。Keepstill，can\'tyou？"

Herfacewasfullofdefiance。Hecamenearertoherandchangedhistone。

"Zoe，"hewhisperedhoarsely，"don\'tyouunderstand？Iftheycan\'tgetwhattheywantfromLaverick，they\'llvisitituponme。They\'redesperate，Itellyou。Theymeanmischiefallthetime。"

"Yetyoulethimbebroughthere，yourpartnerwholookedafteryouwhenyouwereill，andwhohelpedyoutogetaway！"shecriedindignantly。

Helaughedunpleasantly。

"Whenitcomestoamatteroflifeordeath，it\'severymanforhimself。Besides，ifI\'dknownasmuchaboutLaverickasIknownow，I\'mnotsurethatIshouldhavebeensoreadytogo-notempty-handed，byanymannerofmeans。"

"Whathaveyoudonethatyoushouldbesomuchinthepowerofthesepeople？"shedemanded，fixingherdarkeyesuponhimsearchingly。

Theterrorwhitenedhisfaceoncemore。Theperspirationstoodoutinbeadsuponhisforehead。

"Don\'tdaretoaskmequestions！"heexclaimednervously。"IshouldliketoknowwhatLaverickistoyou，eh，thatyoutakesomuchinterestinhim？Listenhere，myfineyounglady。IfI\'vebeenmugenoughtodothedirtywork，hehasn\'tmadeanybonesabouttakingadvantageofit。He\'sanicesortofsportsman，Icantellyou。"

Themanatthewindowsuddenlydroppedthecurtainandspokeacrosstheroomtothemall。

"Heishere，"heannounced。

"Alone？"Lassenaskedthickly。

"Alone，"Streussechoed。

Alittlethrillseemedtopassthroughtheroom。Zoemadenoattempttocryout。Insteadsheleanedforwardtowardsthedoor，asthoughlistening。Herattitudeseemedharmlessenough。Noonetookanymorenoticeofher。Theyallwatchedtheentrancetotheapartment。

Zoerememberedthetwoflightsofstairs。Shewasabsorbedinabreathlesscalculation。Now-nowheshouldbecomingquiteclose。

Herwholebeingwasconcentratedupononeeffortoflistening。Atlastsheraisedherhead。Theroomresoundedwithhercries。

"Don\'tcomein！Don\'tcomeinhere！"sheshrieked。"Mr。Laverick，doyouhear？Goaway！Don\'tcomeinherealone！"

Herbrotherwasthefirsttoreachher，hishandfelluponhermouthbrutally。Herlittleeffortwasnaturallyafailure-defeating，infact，itsownobject。Laverick，hearinghercries，simplyhastenedhiscoming，threwopenthedoorwithoutwaitingtoknock，andsteppedquicklyacrossthethreshold。Hesawamandressedinshabbyworkman\'sclothes，unshaven，dishevelled，holdingZoeinaroughgrasp，andwithasinglewell-directedblowhesenthimreelingacrosstheroom。Thensomethingintheman\'scry，amomentaryglimpseofhiswhiteface，revealedhisidentity。

"Morrison！"hecried。"GoodGod，it\'sMorrison！"

ArthurMorrisonwascrouchinginacorneroftheroom，hisevilfaceturneduponhisaggressor。Lavericktookquickstockofhissurroundings。Therewasthetall，fairyoungman-AdolfKahn-whomhehadseenattheMilanafewhoursago-themanwhohadunsuccessfullyforgedhisname。TherewasLassen，themanwho，underpretenceofbeinghermanager，hadbeenaspyuponLouise。TherewasStreuss，withblanchedfaceandhardfeatures，standingwithhisbacktothedoor。TherewasZoe，and，behind，herbrother。Sheheldoutherhandstimidlytowardshim，andhereyesweresoftwithpleading。

"Ididnotwantyoutocomehere，Mr。Laverick，"shecriedsoftly。

"Itriedsohardtostopyou。ItwasnotIwhosentthatmessage。"

Hetookhercoldlittlefingersandraisedthemtohislips。

"Iknowit，dear，"hemurmured。

Thenamovementintheroomwarnedhim，andhewassuddenlyonguard。

Lassenwasclosetohisside，someevilpurposeplainlyenoughwritteninhispastyfaceandunwholesomeeyes。Laverickgavehimhisleftshoulderandsenthimstaggeringacrossthefloor。Hewasangryathavingbeenoutwittedandhiseyesgleamedominously。

"Well，gentlemen，"heexclaimed，"youseemtohavetakenunusualpainstosecuremypresencehere！Tellmenow，whatcanIdoforyou？"

ItwasStreusswhobecamespokesman。HeaddressedLaverickwiththeconsiderationofonegentlemanaddressinganother。Hisvoicehadmanyagreeablequalities。Hisdemeanorwasentirelyamicable。

"Mr。Laverick，"heanswered，"letusfirstapologizeifweusedalittlesubterfugetoprocureforusthepleasureofyourvisit。Wearemenwhoareinearnest，andacrosswhosepathyouhaveeitherwilfullyoraccidentallystrayed。Anunderstandingbetweenushasbecomeanecessity。"

"Goon，"Laverickinterrupted。"Tellmeexactlywhoyouareandwhatyouwant。"

"Astowhoweare，"Streussanswered，"doesthatreallymatter？I

repeatthatwearemenwhoareinearnest-letthatbeenough。Astowhatwewant，itisacertaindocumenttowhichwehaveeveryclaim，andwhichhascomeintoyourpossession-Iflatteryousomewhat，Mr。Laverick，ifIsaybychance。"

Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。

"Letthatgo，"hesaid。"Iknowallaboutthedocumentyoureferto，andthenotes。Theywerecontainedinapocket-bookwhichitisperfectlytruehascomeintomypossession。Proveyourclaimtobothandyoushallhavethem。"

Streusssmiled。

"Youwilladmitthatourclaim，sinceweknowofitsexistence，"heaskedsuavely，"isequaltoyours？"

"Certainly，"Laverickanswered，"butthenIneverhadanyideaofkeepingeitherthedocumentorthemoney。Thatyourclaimisbetterthanmineisnoguaranteethatthereisnotsomeoneelsewhosetitleisbetterstill。"

Streussfrowned。

"Bereasonable，Mr。Laverick，"hebegged。"Wearemenofpeace-

whenpeaceispossible。Themoneyofwhichyouspokeyoucanconsiderastreasuretrove，ifyouwill，butitisourintentiontopossessourselvesofthedocument。ItisforthatreasonthatwearehereinLondon。I，personally，amcommittedtotheextentofmylifeandmyhonortoitsrecovery。"

Adeclarationofwar，courteouslyveiledbutdecisive。Lavericklookedaroundhimalittledefiantly，andshruggedhisshoulders。

"YouknowverywellthatIdonotcarryitaboutwithme，"hesaid。

"Thegentlemanonmyleft，"headded，pointingtoKahn，"cantellyouwhereitiskept。"

"Quiteso，"Streussadmitted。"Wearenotdoingyoutheinjusticetosupposethatyouwouldbesofoolhardyastotrustyourselfanywherewiththatdocumentuponyourperson。ItisinthesafeattheMilanHotel。Imayaddthatprobably，ifithadnotoccurredtoyoutochangeyourquarters，itwouldhavebeeninourpossessionbeforenow。Wearehopingtopersuadeyoutoreturntothehotelwithoneofourfriendshere，andprocureit。"

"Asithappens，"Laverickremarked，"thatisimpossible。Themanwhosetthecombinationforthatparticularsafehasgoneoffduty，andwillnotbebackagainatthehoteltillto-morrowmorning。"

"Butheistobefound，"Streussansweredeasily。"Hispresentwhereaboutsandhisaddressareknowntous。HeliveswithhisfamilyatHarvardCourt，Hampstead。Weshallassistyouinmakingitworthhiswhiletoreturntothehotelortogiveyouthecombinationwordforthesafe。"

"Youarerathergreatondetail！"Laverickexclaimed。

"Itisourbusiness。Thequestionforyoutodecide，andtodecideimmediately，iswhetheryouarereadytoendthis，insomerespects，constrainedsituation，andgiveyourwordtoplacethatdocumentinourhands。"

"Youarereadytoacceptmyword，then？"Laverickasked。

"Wehaveacertainholduponyou，"Streusscontinuedslowly。"YourpartnerMr。Morrison\'spositioninconnectionwiththemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alleyis，asyoumayhavesurmised，asomewhatunfortunateone。YourownIwillnotalludeto。Iwillsimplysuggestthatforbothyoursakespublicity-anymeasureofpublicity，infact，asregardsthislittleaffair-wouldnotbedesirable。"

Laverickhesitated。Heunderstoodallthatwasimplied。Morrison\'seyeswerefixeduponhim-theeyesofacravencoward。Hefelttheintensityofthemoment。ThenZoeturnedsuddenlytowardshim。

"Youarenottogiveitup！"shecried，withtremblinglips。"Theycannothurtyou，anditisnottrue-aboutArthur。"

Kahn，whowasnearest，clappedhishandoverhermouthandLaverickknockedhimdown。Instantlythepacificatmosphereoftheroomwaschanged。LassenandMorrisonclosedswiftlyuponLaverickfromdifferentsides。Streusscoveredhimwiththeshiningbarrelofarevolver。

"Mr。Laverick，"hesaid，"wearenotheretobetrifledwith。Keepyoursisterquiet，Morrison，or，byGod，you\'llswing！"

Lavericklookedattherevolver-fascinated，foraninstant，byitsunexpectedappearance。Thefaceofthemanwhoheldithadchanged。Therewaslightningplayingabouttheroom。

"It\'sthedockforyouboth！"Streussexclaimedfiercely，-"foryou，Laverick，andyou，Morrison，too，ifyouplaywithusanylonger！Oneofyou\'samurdererandtheotherreceivesthebooty。

Whoareyoutohavescruples-criminals，bothofyou？Yourplaceisinthedock，andyoushallbetherewithintwenty-fourhoursifthereareanymoreevasions。Now，Laverick，willyoufetchthatdocument？Itisyourlastchance。"

Uponthebreathlesssilencethatfollowedaquietvoiceintervened-avoicecalmandemotionless，tingedwithameasureofpoliteinquiry。Yetitslevelutterancefelllikeabombamongthelittlecompany。Thecurtainseparatingthisfromtheinnerroomhadbeendrawnafewfeetback，andBellamywasstandingthere，inblackovercoatandwhitemuffler，hissilkhatonthebackofhishead，hislefthand，carefullygloved，restingstilluponthecurtainwhichhehaddrawnaside。

"IhopeIamnotdisturbingyouatall？"hemurmuredsoftly。

Foramomentthedevelopmentofthesituationremaineduncertain。

ThegleamingbarrelofStreuss\'srevolverchangeditsdestination。

Bellamyglancedatitwiththepleasedcuriosityofachild。

"Ireallyoughtnottohaveintruded，"hecontinuedamiably。"I

happenedtoheartheaddressmyfriendLaverickgavetothetaxicabdriver，andIwasparticularlyanxioustohaveawordortwowithhimbeforeIleftfortheContinent。"

Streusswassurelysomethingofacharlatan！Hisrevolverhaddisappeared。Thesmileuponhislipswasbothgraciousandunembarrassed。

"OneisalwaysonlytoopleasedtowelcomeMr。Bellamyanywhere-

anyhow，"hedeclared。"Ifapologiesareneededatall，"hecontinued，"itistoourfriendandhost-Mr。Morrisonhere。

Permitme-Mr。ArthurMorrison-theHonorableDavidBellamy！

TheseareMr。Morrison\'srooms。"

Morrisoncoulddonomorethanstare。Bellamy，onthecontrary，withalittlebowcamefurtherintotheapartment，removinghishatfromhishead。Lassenglidedroundbehindhim，remainingbetweenBellamyandtheheavycurtains。AdolfKahnmovedasthoughunconsciouslyinfrontofthedooroftheroominwhichtheywere。

Bellamysmiledcourteously。

"Iamafraid，"hesaid，"thatImustnotstayformorethanamoment。

Ihaveacarfulloffriendsbelow-weareonourway，infact，totheCoventGardenBall-andoneortwoofthem，Ifear，"headdedindulgently，"havealreadyreachedthatstageofexhilarationwhichsuchanentertainmentinEnglandseemstodemand。TheywillcertainlycomeandroutmeoutifIamheremuchlonger。There！"heexclaimed，"youhearthat？"

Therewasthesoundofamotorhornfromthestreetbelow。Streuss，withanoathtremblinguponhislips，liftedtheblind。Thereweretwomotor-carswaitingthere-largecarswithLimousinebodies，andapparentlyfullofmen。Afterall，itwastobeexpected。

Bellamywasnofool！

"Sincewearetoloseyou，thenMr。Laverick，"Streussremarkedwithagestureoffarewell，"letussaygoodnight。Thelittlematterofbusinesswhichwewerediscussingcanbeconcludedwithyourpartner。"

LaverickturnedtowardZoe。Theireyesmetandhereadtheirmessageofterror。

"Youarecomingbacktoyourownrooms，MissLeneveu，"hesaid。

"Youmustletmeofferyoumyescort。"

Shehalfrose，butinobediencetoagesturefromStreussMorrisonmovedneartothem。

"Ifyouleavemehere，Laverick，"hemutteredbeneathhisbreath，-

"ifyouleavemetothesehounds，doyouknowwhattheywilldo？

Theywillhandmeovertothepolice-theyhaveswornit！"

"Whydidyoucomeback？"Laverickaskedquickly。

"TheystoppedmeasIwasboardingthesteamer，"Morrisondeclared。

"Itellyoutheyhaveeyeseverywhere。Youcannotmovewithouttheirknowledge。Ihadtocome。NowthatIamheretheyhavetoldmeplainlythepriceofmyfreedom。Itisthatdocument。Laverick，itismylife！Youmustgivein-youmust，indeed！Rememberyou\'reinit，too。"

"AmI？"Laverickaskedquietly。

"Youfool，ofcourseyouare！"Morrisonwhisperedhoarsely。"Didn\'tyoucomeintotheentryandtakethepocket-book？Heavenknowswhatpossessedyoutodoit！Heavenknowshowyoufoundtheplucktousethemoney！Butyoudidit，andyouareacriminal-acriminalasI

am。Don\'tbeafool，Laverick。Maketermswiththesepeople。Theywantthedocument-thedocument-nothingbutthedocument！Theywillletuskeepthemoney。"

"Andyou？"Laverickasked，turningsuddenlytoZoe。"Whatdoyousayaboutallthis？"

Shelookedathimfearlessly。

"Itrustyou，"shesaid。"Itrustyoutodowhatisright。

CHAPTERXXXIII

LAVERICKSARREST

"Atlast，David！"

Louisewelcomedhervisitoreagerlywithoutstretchedhands，whichBellamyraisedforamomenttohislips。Thensheturnedtowardthethirdperson，whohadalsorisenattheopeningofthedoor-ashort，somewhatthick-setman，withswarthycomplexion，close-croppedblackhair，andupturnedblackmoustache。

"YourememberPrinceRosmaran？"shesaidtoBellamy。"HeleftServiaonlythedaybeforeyesterday。HehascometoEnglandonaspecialmissiontotheKing。"

Bellamyshookhands。

"Ithink，"heremarked，"Ihadthehonorofmeetingyouoncebefore，Prince，attheopeningoftheServianParliamenttwoyearsago。Itwasjustthen，Ibelieve，thatyouwereelectedtoleadthepatrioticparty。"

ThePrincebowedsadly。

"Myleadership，Ifear，"hedeclared，"hasbroughtlittlegoodtomyunhappycountry。"

"Itisaterriblecrisisthroughwhichyournationispassing，"

Bellamyremindedhimsympathetically。"Atthesametime，wemustnotdespair。Austriaholdsoutherclenchedhands，butasyetshehasnotdaredtostrike。"

ThefaceofthePrincewasdarkwithpassion。

"Asyet，no！"heanswered。"Buthowlong-howlong，Iwonder-

beforetheblowfalls？WeinServiahavebeenblamedforarmingourselves，butItellyouthatto-daytheAustriantroopsarebeingsecretlyconcentratedonthefrontier。Theirarsenalsareworkingnightandday。HersoldiersaremanoeuveringalmostwithinsightofBelgrade。Wehavehopedagainsthope，yetinourheartsweknowthatourfatewassealedwhentheCzarofRussialeftViennalastweek。"

"Nothingiscertain，"Bellamydeclaredrestlessly。"Englandhasbeenill-governedforagreatmanyyears，butwearenotyetanegligiblePower。"

Louiseleanedalittletowardshim。

"David，"shewhispered，"thecompact！"

Heansweredherunspokenquestion。

"Itisarranged，"hesaid，-"finished。To-morrowmorningatnineo\'clockIreceiveit。"

"Youaresure？"shebegged。"Whyneedtherebeanydelay？"

"Itislockedupinapowerfulsafe，"heexplained，"andtheclerkwhohasthecombinationwillnotbeondutyagaintillnine。

Laverickistheresimplywaitingforthehour。Youwereright，Louise，asusual。Ishouldhavetrustedhimfromthefirst。"

ThePrincehadbeenlisteningtotheirconversationwithundisguisedinterest。

"Thereisarumor，"hesaid，"thatsomesecretinformationconcerningthecompactofViennahasfounditswaytothiscountry。"

Bellamysmiled。

"Hence，Ipresume，yourmission，Prince。"

"Wethreehavenosecretsfromoneanother，"thePrincedeclared。

"Ourinterestsinthismatterareabsolutelyidentical。Whatyousuggest，Mr。Bellamy，isthetruth。ThereisarumorthattheChancellor，inthefirstfewmomentsofhisillness，gavevaluableinformationtosomeonewhoislikelytohavecommunicatedittotheGovernmenthere。Tobeforewarnedistobeforearmed。That，I

know，isoneofyourownmottoes。SoIamheretoknowifthereisanythingtobelearned。"

Bellamynodded。

"Yourarrivalisnotinopportune，Prince。Whendidyoucome？"

"IreachedCharingCrossatmidnight，"thePrinceanswered。"Ourtrainwasanhourlate。Iampresentingmycredentialsearlythismorning，andIamhopingforaninterviewduringtheafternoon。"

Bellamyconsideredforamoment。

"Itistrue！"hesaid。"Betweenusthreethereisindeednoneedforsecrecy。Theinformationyouspeakofwillbeinourhandswithinafewhours。IhavenodoubtwhateverbutthatyourMinisterwillshareinit。"

"YouknowofwhatitConsists？"thePrinceinquiredcuriously。

"Ithinkso，"Bellamyanswered，glancingattheclock。"Formyownpart，althoughtheinformationitselfisinvaluable，Iseeanotherandaprofoundersourceofinterestinthatdocument。If，indeed，itiswhatwebelieveittobe，itamountstoacasusbelli。"

"Youmeanthatyouwouldprovokewar？"PrinceRosmaranasked。

Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。

"I，"saidhe，-"Iamnotevenapolitician。But，youknow，thelookers-onseeagooddealofthegame，andinmyopinionthereisonlyonecourseopenforthiscountry，-toworkuponRussiasothatshewithdrawsfromanycompactshemayhaveenteredintowithAustriaandGermany，toacceptGermany\'scooperationwithAustriainthedespoilmentofyourcountryasacasusbelli，andtodeclarewaratoncewhileourfleetisinvincibleandourColoniesfreefromdanger。"

ThePrincenodded。

"Itisgood，"headmitted，"tohearman\'stalkoncemore。Whereveronemoves，peoplebowtheheadbeforethemightofGermanyandAustria。Letthemalonebutalittlelonger，andtheywillindeedruleEurope。"

Threeo\'clockstruck。ThePrincerose。

"Igo，"heannounced。

"AndI，"Bellamydeclared。"Cometomyroomsatteno\'clocktomorrowmorning，Prince，andyoushallhearthenews。