第9章

Bellamylingeredbehind。ForamomentheheldLouiseinhisarmsandgazedsorrowfullyintoherwearyface。

"Isitworthwhile，Iwonder？"heaskedbitterly。

"Worthwhile，"sheanswered，openinghereyesandlookingathim，"tofeelthemotherlove？Whocanhelpitwhowouldnotbeignoble？"

"Butyours，dear，"hemurmured，"isallgrief。EvennowIamafraid。"

"Wecandonomorethantoiltotheend，"shesaid。"David，youaresurethistime？"

"Iamsure，"hereplied。"IamgoingbacknowtothehotelwhereLaverickisstaying。Wearegoingtosittogetherandsmokeuntilthemorning。Nothingshortofanarmycouldstormthehotel。I

waswiththemallonlyanhourago，-Streuss，thatblackguardLassen，andAdolfKahn，thepolicespy。Theyarebeatenmenandtheyknowit。TheyhadLaverick，hadhimbyatrick，butImadeadramaticentranceandthegamewasup。"

"TelephonemedirectlyyouhavetakenitsafelytoDowningStreet，"

shebegged。

"Iwill，"hepromised。

BellamywalkedfromDoverStreettotheStrand。Thestreetswerealmostbrilliantwiththecold，hardmoonlight。Theairseemedcuriouslykeen。Onceortwicethefallofhisfeetuponthepavementwassoclearanddistinctthathefanciedhewasbeingfollowedandglancedsharplyaround。HereachedtheMilanHotel，however，withoutadventure，andlookedtowardsthelittleopenspaceinthehallwherehehadexpectedtofindLaverick。Therewasnoonethere！Hestoodstillforamoment，troubledwithasuddensenseofapprehension。Theplacewasdesertedexceptforacoupleofsleepy-lookingclerksandasmallarmyofcleanersbusywiththeirmachinesdownintherestaurant，movingaboutlikemysteriousfiguresinthedimlight。

Bellamyturnedbacktothehall-porterwhohadadmittedhim。

"DoyouhappentoknowwhathasbecomeofthegentlemanwhomIwaswithaboutanhourago？"heasked，-"atall，fairgentleman-Mr。

Laverickhisnamewas？"

Thehall-porterrecognizedBellamyandtouchedhishat。

"Why，yes，sir！"heansweredwithasomewhatmysteriousair。"Mr。

Laverickwassittingoverthereinaneasy-chairuntilabouthalf-an-hourago。Thentwogentle-menarrivedinataxicabandinquiredforhim。Theytalkedforalittletime，andfinallyMr。

Laverickwentawaywiththem。"

Bellamywaspuzzled。

"Wentawaywiththem？"herepeated。"Idon\'tunderstandthat，Reynolds。HewastohavewaitedheretillIreturned。"

Themanhesitated。

"Itdidn\'tstrikeme，sir，"hesaid，"thatMr。Laverickwasverywishfultogo。Itseemedasthoughhehadn\'tmuchchoiceaboutthematter。"

Bellamylookedathimkeenly。

"Tellmewhatisinyourmind？"heasked。

"Mr。Bellamy，sir，"thehall-porterreplied，"Iknewoneofthosegentlemenbysight。HewasadetectivefromScotlandYard，andtheonewhowaswithhimwasapolicemaninplainclothes。"

"GoodGod！"Bellamyexclaimed。"Youthink，then，-"

"Iamafraidtherewasnodoubtaboutit，sir，"themananswered。

"Mr。Laverickwasarrestedonsomecharge。"

CHAPTERXXXIV

MORRISON\'SDISCLOSURE

IntoNewOxfordStreet，oneoftheceaselessstreamsofpolyglothumanity，cameZoefromhercheerlessdayboundforthetheatre。

Shewasalittlewhiter，alittlemoretiredthanusual。AlldaylongshehadheardnothingofLaverick。Alldaylongshehadsatinhertinyroomwiththememoryofthathorriblenightbeforeher。

Shehadtriedinvaintosleep，-shehadmadenoeffortwhatevertoeat。SheknewnowwhyArthurMorrisonhadfledaway。Sheknewthecauseofthatparoxysmoffearinwhichhehadsoughtherout。

Thehorrorofthewholethinghadcreptintoherbloodlikepoison。

Lifewasoncemoreadreary，profitlessstruggle。Allthewonderfuldreams，whichhadmadeexistenceseemalmostlikeafairy-taleforthislastweek，hadfadedaway。Shewasoncemoreamournfullittlewaifamongthepitilesscrowds。

SheturnedtotheleftandpasttheHolbornTube。Boyswereshoutingeverywherethecontentsoftheeveningpapers。Nearlyeveryoneseemedtobecarryingoneofthepinksheets。Sheherselfpassedonwithunseeingeyes。Newswasnothingtoher。Governmentsmightriseandfall，warmightcomeandgo，-shehadstilllifetosupport，afriendlesslittlelife，too，ontwopoundsfifteenshillingsaweek。Thenewstheyshoutedfellupondeafears，butoneboyunfurledalmostbeforehereyestheheadlinesofhissheet。

SENSATIONALARRESTOFAWELL-KNOWN

STOCKBROKER。CHARGEOFMURDER。

Shecametoasuddenstopandpulledoutherpurse。Herfingerstrembledsothatthepennyfellontothepavement。Theboypickeditupwillinglyenough，however，andshepassedonwiththepaperinherhand。Thereitwasonthefrontpage-staringherintheface:

EarlyyesterdaymorningMr。StephenLaverick，ofthefirmofLaverick&Morrison，Stockbrokers，OldBroadStreet，wasarrestedattheMilanHotelonthechargeofbeingconcernedinthemurderofapersonunknown，inCrookedFriars\'Alley，onMondaylast。Theaccused，whomadenoreplytothecharge，wasremovedtoBowStreetPolice-Station。Particularsofhisexaminationbeforethemagistrateswillbefoundonpage4。

Therewasadullsinginginherears。Anelectrictram，comingupfromtheundergroundpassage，seemedtobringwithitsomesortofthunderfromanunknownworld。Shestaggeredon，unseeing，gaspingforbreath。Ifshecouldfindsomewheretositdown！Ifshecouldonlyrestforamoment！Thenasuddenwaveofstrengthcametoher，thebloodflowedoncemoreinherveins-bloodthatwashotwithanger，thatstainedhercheekswithaspotofred。Itwasthemansheloved，this，beingmadetosufferfalsely。Itwasthefulfilmentoftheirthreat-adeliberateplotagainsthim。ThemurdererofCrookedFriars\'Alley-sheknewwhothatwas！-sheknew！Perhapsshemighthelp！

Shehadnottheslightestrecollectionoftheremainderofthatwalk，butshefoundherselfpresentlysittinginaquietcornerofthetheatrewiththepaperspreadoutbeforeher。ShereadthatStephenLaverickhadbeenbroughtbeforeMr。Rawson，themagistrateofBowStreetPoliceCourt，onawarrantcharginghimwithhavingbeenconcernedwiththemurderofapersonunknown，andthathehadpleaded"NotGuilty！"HereyesglitteredasshereadthatthefirstwitnesscalledwasMr。ArthurMorrison，latepartneroftheaccused。Shereadhisdeposition-thathehadleftLaverickattheirofficesateleveno\'clockonthenightinquestion，thattheywereatthattimeabsolutelywithoutmeans，andhadnoprospectofmeetingtheirengagementsonthemorrow。ShereadtheevidenceofMr。Fenwick，bankmanager，totheeffectthatMr。Laverickhad，onthefollowingmorning，depositedwithhimthesumoftwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes，bymeansofwhichtheengagementsofthefirmweredulymet，thatthosenoteshadsincebeenredeemed，andthathehadnoideaoftheirpresentwhereabouts。

Sheread，too，theevidenceofAdolfKahn，anAustrianvisitingthiscountryuponprivatebusiness，whodeposedthathewasinthevicinityjustbeforemidnight，thathesawaperson，whomheidentifiedastheaccused，walkingdownthestreetand，afterdisappearingforafewminutesdowntheentry，returnandre-entertheofficesfromwhichhehadissued。HeexplainedhispresencetherebythefactthathewaswaitingforaclerkemployedbytheGoldfields\'Corporation，Limited，whoseofficeswerecloseby。

Furtherformalevidencewasgiven，andaremandaskedfor。Theaccused\'ssolicitorwasonthepointofaddressingthecourtwhenMr。Rawsonwasunfortunatelytakenill。Afterwaitingforsometime，thecasewasadjourneduntilthenextday，andtheaccusedmanwasremovedincustody。

Zoelaiddownthepaperandrosetoherfeet。Shemadeherwaytowherethestage-managerwassuperintendingtheerectionofsomenewscenery。

"Mr。Heepman，"sheexclaimed，"Icannotstaytorehearsal！Ihavetogoout。"

Heturnedheavilyroundandlookedather。

"Rehearsalpostponed，"hedeclaredsolemnly。"Shallyoubebackfortheeveningperformance，orshallweclosethetheatre？"

Hisclumsyironymisseditsmark。Herthoughtsweretoointenselyfocussedupononething。

"Iamsorry，"shereplied，turningaway。"IwillcomebackassoonasIcan。"

Hecalledoutafterherandshepaused。

"Lookhere，"hesaid，"youwereabsentfromtheperformancetheotherevening，andnowyouareskippingrehearsalwithoutevenwaitingforpermission。Itcan\'tbedone，younglady。Youmustdoyourplayingaroundsomeothertime。Ifyou\'renotherewhenyou\'recalled，youneedn\'ttroubletoturnupagain。Doyouunderstand？"

Herlipsquiveredandthesenseofimpendingdisasterwhichseemedtobebroodingoverherlifebecamealmostoverwhelming。

"I\'llcomebackassoonasIcan，"shepromised，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-"assoonaseverIcan，Mr。Heepman。"

Shehurriedoutofthetheatreandtookherplaceoncemoreamongthehurryingthrongofpedestrians。Severalpeopleturnedroundtolookather。Herwhiteface，tight-drawnmouth，andeyesalmostunnaturallylarge，seemedtohavebecometheabiding-placefortragedy。Sheherselfsawnoone。Shewouldhavetakenacab，butaglimpseatthecontentsofherpursedissuadedher。ShewalkedsteadilyontoJermynStreet，walkedupthestairstothethirdfloor，andknockedatherbrother\'sdoor。Nooneansweredheratfirst。Sheturnedthehandleandenteredtofindtheroomempty。

Thereweresounds，however，inthefurtherapartment，andshecalledouttohim。

"Arthur，"shecried，"areyouthere？"

"Whoisit？"hedemanded。

"ItisI-Zoe！"sheexclaimed。

"Whatdoyouwant？"

"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Arthur。Imustspeaktoyou。Pleasecomeasquicklyasyoucan。"

Hegrowledsomethingandinafewmomentsheappeared。Hewaswearingthemorningclothesinwhichhehadattendedcourtearlierintheday，butthechangeinhimwasperhapsallthemoremarkedbyreasonofthisresumptionofhisoldattire。Hischeekswerehollow，hiseyesscarcelyforaninstantseemedtolosethatfeverishgleamofterrorwithwhichhehadreturnedfromLiverpool。

Heknewverywellwhatshehadcomeabout，andhebegannervouslytotryandbullyher。

"Iwishyouwouldn\'tcometotheserooms，Zoe，"hesaid。"I\'vetoldyoubeforethey\'rebachelors\'apartments，andtheydon\'tlikewomenabouttheplace。Whatisit？Whatdoyouwant？"

"Iwasbroughtherelasttimewithoutanyparticulardesireonmypart，"sheanswered，lookinghimintheface。"I\'vecomenowtoaskyouwhataccursedplotthisisagainstStephenLaverick？Whatwereyoudoinginthecourtthismorning，lying？Whatisthemeaningofit，Arthur？"

"Ifyou\'vecometotalkrubbishlikethat，"hedeclaredroughly，"you\'dbetterbeoff。"

"No，itisnotrubbish！"shewentonfearlessly。"IthinkIcanunderstandwhatitisthathashappened。Theyhaveterrifiedyouandbribedyouuntilyouarewillingtodoanydespicablething-eventhis。Yourfatherwasgoodtomymother，Arthur，andI

havetriedtofeeltowardsyouasthoughyouwereindeedarelation。

Butnothingofthatcounts。IwantyoutorealizethatIknowthetruth，andthatIwillnotseeaninnocentmanconvictedwhiletheguiltygofree。"

Hemovedasteptowardsher。Theywereonoppositesidesofthesmallroundtablewhichstoodinthecentreoftheapartment。

"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemandedhoarsely。

"Isn\'titplainenough？"sheexclaimed。"Youcametomyroomsaweekorsoago，aterrified，broken-downman。Ifevertherewasguiltinaman\'sface，itwasinyours。YousentforLaverick。Hepitiedyouandhelpedyouaway。AtLiverpooltheywouldnotletyouembark-thesemen。Theyhavebroughtyoubackhere。Youaretheirtool。Butyouknowverywell，Arthur，thatitwasnotStephenLaverickwhokilledthemaninCrookedFriars\'Alley！YouknowverywellthatitwasnotStephenLaverick！"

"WhythedevilshouldIknowanythingaboutit？"heaskedfiercely。

Anoteofpassionsuddenlycreptintohervoice。Herlittlewhitehand，withitsaccusingforefinger，shotouttowardshim。

"Becauseitwasyou，ArthurMorrison，whocommittedthatcrime，"shecried，"andsoonerthananothermanshouldsufferforit，Ishallgotocourtmyselfandtellthetruth。"

Hewas，forthemoment，absolutelyspeechless，paleasdeath，withnervouslytwitchinglipsandfingers。Buttherewasmurderinhiseyes。

"Whatdoyouknowaboutthis？"hemuttered。

"Nevermind，"sheanswered。"IknowandIguessquiteenoughtoconvinceme-andIthinkanybodyelse-thatyouaretheguiltyman。

Iwouldhavehelpedyouandshieldedyou，whateveritcostme，butIwillnotdosoatStephenLaverick\'sexpense。"

"WhatisLavericktoyou？"hegrowled。

"Heisnothingtome，"shereplied，"butthebestoffriends。Evenwerehelessthanthat，doyousupposethatIwouldletaninnocentmansuffer？"

Hemoistenedhisdrylipsrapidly。

"Youaretalkingnonsense，Zoe，"hesaid，-"nonsense！Eveniftherehasbeensomelittlemistake，whatcouldIdonow？Ihavegivenmyevidence。SofarasIamconcerned，thecaseisfinished。

Ishallnotbecalledagainuntilthetrial。"

"Thenyouhadbettergotothemagistratestomorrowmorningandtakebackyourevidence，"shedeclaredboldly，"forifyoudonot，IshallbethereandIshalltellthetruth。"

"Zoe，"hegasped，"don\'ttrymetoohigh。Thisthinghasupsetme。

I\'mill。Can\'tyouseeit，Zoe？Lookatme。Ihaven\'tsleptforweeks。NightanddayI\'vehadthefear-thefearalwayswithme。

Youdon\'tknowwhatitis-youcan\'timagine。It\'slikeaterribleghost，keepingpacewithyouwhereveryougo，layinghisicyfingeruponyouwheneveryouwouldrest，mockingatyouwhenyoutrytodrownthoughtevenforamoment。Don\'tyoutrymetoofar，Zoe。

I\'mnotresponsible。Laverickisn\'tthemanyouthinkhimtobe。

Heisn\'tthemanIbelieved。Hedidhavethatmoney-hedid，indeed。"

"That，"shesaid，"istobeexplained。Butheisnotamurderer。"

"Listentome，Zoe，"Morrisoncontinued，leaningacrossthetable。

"Comeandstaywithmeforatimeandwewillgoawayforaweek-somewheretotheseaside。ewilltalkaboutthisandthinkitover。IwanttogetawayfromLondon。WewillgotoBrighton，ifyoulike。mustdosomethingforyou，Zoe。I\'mafraidI\'veneglectedyouagooddeal。PerhapsIcouldgetyouabetterpartatoneofthetheatres。Imustmakeyouanallowance。Yououghttobewearingbetterclothes。"

Shedrewalittleaway。

"Iwantnothingfromyou，Arthur，"shesaid，"exceptthis-thatyouspeakthetruth。"

Hewipedhisforeheadandstruckthetablebeforeher。

"But，goodGod，Zoe！"heexclaimed，"doyouknowwhatitisthatyouareaskingme？Doyouwantmetogointocourtandsay-\'Thatisn\'ttheman……ItisIwhoamthemurderer\'？Doyouwantmetofeeltheirhandsuponmyshoulder，tobeputthereinthedockandhaveallthepeoplestaringatmecuriouslybecausetheyknowthatbeforeverylongIamtostanduponthescaffoldandhavethatropearoundmyneckand-"

Hebrokeoffwithalowcry，wringinghishandslikeachildinafitofimpotentterror。Butthegirlinfrontofhimneverflinched。

"Arthur，"shesaid，"crimeisaterriblething，butnothingintheworldcanalteritspunishment。Ifitisfrightfulforyoutothinkofthis，whatmustitbeforhim？Andyouareguiltyandheisnot。"

"Iwasmad！"Morrisonwenton，nowalmostbesidehimself。"Zoe，I

wasmad！Icalledtheretohaveadrink。Wewerebroke，-thefirmwasbroke。I\'dahundredorsoinmypocketandIwasgoingtoboltthenextday。Andthere，withinafewyardsofme，wasthatman，withsucharollofnotesasIhadneverseeninmylife。Fivehundredpounds，everyoneofthem，andawadasthickasmyfists。

Zoe，theyfascinatedme。IhadtwodrinksquicklyandIfollowedhimout。Somehoworother，IfoundthatI\'dcaughtupaknifethatwasonthecounter。Inevermeanttohurthimseriously，butI

wantedsomeofthosenotes！IwasleavingthenextdayforAfricaandIhadn\'tenoughmoneytomakeafairstart。Iwantedit-myGod，howIwantedmoney！"

"Itcouldn\'thavebeenworth-that！"shecried，lookingathimwonderingly。

"Iwasmad，"hecontinued。"Isawthenotesandtheywenttomyhead。Mendowildthingssometimeswhentheyaredrunk，orforlove。Idon\'tdrinkmuch，andI\'mnotoverfondofwomen，but，myGod，moneyislikethebloodofmybodytome！Isawit，andI

wanteditandIwantedit，andIwentmad！Zoe，youwon\'tgivemeaway？Sayyouwon\'t！"

"ButwhatamItodo？"sheprotested。"Hemustnotsuffer。"

"He\'llgetoff，"Morrisonassuredherthickly。"Itellyouhe\'llgetoff。He\'sonlytopartwiththedocument，whichneverbelongedtohim，andthechargewillbewithdrawn。Theyknowwhothemurderedmanwas。Theyknowwherethemoneycamefromwhichhewascarrying。Itellyouhecansavehimself。Youwouldn\'tdreamofsendingmetothegallows，Zoe！"

"StephenLaverickwillnevergiveupthatdocumenttothosepeople，"

shedeclared。"Iamsureofthat。"

"It\'shisownlookout，"Morrisonmuttered。"Hehasthechance，anyway。"

Sheturnedtowardthedoor。

"Imustgoaway，"shesaid。"Imustgoawayandthink。Itisalltoohorrible。"

Hecameroundthetableswiftlyandcaughtatherwrists。

"Listen，"hesaid，"Ican\'tletyougolikethis。Youmusttellmethatyouarenotgoingtogivemeup。Doyouhear？"

"Icanmakenopromises，Arthur，"sheansweredsadly，"onlythis-

IshallnotletStephenLavericksufferinyourstead。"

Heopenedhishandandsheshrankback，terrified，whenshesawwhatitwasthathewasholding。Thenhestruckherdownandwithoutabackwardglancefledoutoftheplace。

CHAPTERXXXV

BELLAMY\'SSUCCESS

Latethatafternoonthehall-porterattheMilanHotel，thecommissionaire，andthechiefmaitred\'hotelfromtheCaf？whohappenedtobeinthehall，togetherwithseveralothersaroundtheplacewhoknewStephenLaverickbysight，weretreatedtoanunexpectedsurprise。Alargeclosedmotor-cardroveuptothefrontentranceandseveralmendescended，amongwhomwasLaverickhimself。Henoddedtothehall-porter，whosesalutewaspurelymechanical，andmakinghiswaywithouthesitationtotheinteriorofthehotel，presentedhisreceiptatthecashier\'sdeskandaskedforhispacket。Theclerklookedupathiminamazement。Hedidnot，forthemoment，noticethatthetwomenstandingimmediatelybehindborethestampofplain-clothespolicemen。HehadonlyafewminutesagofinishedreadingthereportofLaverick\'sexaminationbeforethemagistratesandhisremanduntilthemorrow，uponthechargeofmurder。HisknowledgeofEnglishlawwasbynomeansperfect，buthewasatleastawarethatLaverick\'sappearanceoutsidethepurlieusoftheprisonwasanunusualhappening。

"Yourpacket，sir！"herepeated，inamazement。"Why，thisisMr。

Laverickhimself，isitnot？"

"Certainly，"wasthequietreply。"IamStephenLaverick。"

Theclerkcalledtheheadcashier，whoalsostaredatLaverickasthoughhewereaghost。Theywhisperedtogetherinthebackgroundforamoment，andtheirfaceswereastudyinperplexity。OfLaverick\'sidentity，however，therewasnomannerofdoubt。Besides，thepresenceofwhatwasobviouslyaveryampleescortsomewhatreassuredthem。Thecashierhimselfcameforward。

"Weshallbeexceedinglyglad，Mr。Laverick，"hesaiddryly，"togetridofyourpacket。Yourinstructionswerethatweshoulddisregardallorderstohanditovertoanypersonwhatsoever，andImaysaythattheyhavebeenstrictlyadheredto。Wehave，however，hadtwoapplicationsinyournamethismorning。"

"Theywerebothforgeries，"Laverickdeclared。

Thecashierhesitated。ThenheleanedacrossthebroadmahoganycountertowardsLaverick。Oneofthemenwhoappearedtoformpartoftheescortdetachedhimselffromthemandapproachedafewstepsnearer。

"Thisgentlemanisyourfriend，sir？"thecashierasked，glancingtowardshim。

"Heismysolicitor，"Laverickanswered，"andisentirelyinmyconfidence。Ifyouhaveanythingtotellme，IshouldlikeMr。

Bellamyalsotohear。"

Bellamy，whowasstandingalittleinthebackground，tookhisplacebyLaverick\'sside。Thecashier，whoknewhimbysight，bowed。

"Besidethesetwoforgedorders，sir，"hesaid，turningagaintoLaverick，"wehavehadamanwhotookaroominthehotelleaveasmallblackbaghere，whichheinsisteduponhavingdepositedinourdocumentsafe。Myassistanthadaccepteditandwasactuallylockingitupwhenhenoticedafaintsoundinsidewhichhecouldnotunderstand。Thebagwasopenedandfoundtocontainaninfernalmachinewhichwouldhaveexplodedinaquarterofanhour。"

Bellamydrewhisbreathsharplybetweenhisteeth。

"Weshouldhavethoughtofthat！"heexclaimedsoftly。"That\'sKahn\'swork！"

"Iseemtohavegivenyouagreatdealoftrouble，"Laverickremarkedquietly。"Igather，however，fromwhatyousay，thatmypacketisstillinyourpossession？"

"Itis，sir，"themanassented。"WehavetwodetectivesfromScotlandYardhereatthepresentmoment，though，andwehadalmostdecidedtoplaceitintheirchargeforgreatersecurity。"

"Itwillbewelltakencareoffromnow，Ipromiseyou，"Laverickdeclared。

Thecashierandhisclerkledthewayintotheinneroffice。AttheirinvitationLaverickandhissolicitorfollowed，andafewyardsbehindcamethetwoplain-clothespolicemen，Bellamy，andthesuperintendent。ThesafewasopenedandthepacketplacedinLaverick\'shands。HepasseditonatoncetoBellamy，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedoorwaybehindwasthrongedwithmen，apparentlyordinaryloiterersaroundthehotel。Theymadeaslowandexceedinglycautiousexit。Onceoutside，BellamyturnedtoLaverickwithoutstretchedhand。

"Aurevoirandgoodluck，oldchap！"hesaidheartily。"Ithinkyou\'llfindthingsgoyourwayallrightto-morrowmorning。"

Hedeparted，formingoneofasomewhatsingularcavalcade-twoofhisfriendsoneitherside，twoinfront，andtwobehind。Ithadalmosttheappearanceofaprocession。Thewholepartysteppedintoaclosedmotor-car。Threeorfourmenwereloungingonthepavementandtherewassomeexcitedwhispering，butnooneactuallyinterfered。Assoonastheyhadleftthecourtyard，Laverickandhissolicitor，withhisownguard，re-enteredthemotor-carinwhichtheyhadarrived，anddrovebacktoBowStreet。Veryfewwordswereexchangedduringtheshortjourney。Hissolicitor，however，badehimgood-nightcheerfully，andLaverick\'sbearingwasbynomeansthebearingofamanindespair。

InDowningStreet，withinthenexthalf-an-hour，asomewhatremarkablelittlegatheringtookplace。Thetwomenchieflyresponsibleforthedestiniesofthenation-thePrimeMinisterandtheSecretaryofStateforForeignAffairs-satsidebysidebeforeasmalltable。FacingthemwasBellamy，andspreadoutinfrontwerethosefewpagesoffoolscap，releasedfromtheirenvelopeafewminutesagoforthefirsttimesincethehandofthegreatChancellorhimselfhadpresseddowntheseal。TheForeignMinisterhadjustfinishedatranslationforthebenefitofhiscolleague，andthetwomenweresilent，asmenareinthepresenceofbigevents。

"Bellamy，"thePrimeMinistersaidslowly，"youarewillingtostake，Ipresume，yourreputationupontheauthenticityofthisdocument？"

"Myhonorandmylife，ifyouwill，"Bellamyansweredearnestly。

"Thatisnocopywhichyouhavethere。Onthecontrary，thehandwritingisthehandwritingoftheChancellorhimself。"

ThePrimeMinisterturnedsilentlytowardshiscolleague。Thelatter，whoseeyesstillseemedgluedtothosefatefulwords，lookedup。

"AllIcansayisthis，"heremarkedimpressively，"thatneverinmytimehaveIseenwrittenwordspossessedofsomuchsignificance。

Onemoment，ifyouplease。"

Hetouchedthebell，andhisprivatesecretaryenteredatoncefromanadjoiningroom。

"Anthony，"hesaid，"telephonetotheGreatWesternRailwayCompanyatPaddington。Askforthestationmasterinmyname，andseethataspecialtrainisheldreadytodepartforWindsorinhalf-an-hour。

Tellthestation-masterthatallordinarytrafficmustbeheldup，butthatthedestinationofthespecialisnottobedivulged。"

Theyoungmanbowedandwithdrew。

"ThemoreIconsiderthismatter，"theForeignMinisterwenton，"themoremiraculousdoestheappearanceofthisdocumentseem。

WeknownowwhytheCzarisstrugglingsofranticallytocurtailhisvisit-whyhecame，asitwere，underprotest，andseekseverywhereforanopportunitytoleavebeforetheappointedtime。

Hishealthisallright。HehashadahintfromViennathattherehasbeenaleakage。HisspecialmissiononlyreachedParisthismorning。ThePresidentisinthecountryandtheiraudienceisnotfixeduntilto-morrow。RawsonwillgooverwithacopyofthesepapersandadispatchfromHisMajestybythenineo\'clocktrain。

Itisnotoftenthatwehavehadthechanceofsucha\'coup\'asthis。"

Hedrewhischiefafewstepsaway。Theywhisperedtogetherforseveralmoments。Whentheyreturned，theForeignMinisterrangthebellagainforhissecretary。

"Anthony，"hesaid，"SirJamesandIwillbeleavinginafewminutesforWindsor。GoroundyourselftoGeneralHamilton，telephonetoAldershotforLordNeville，andcallroundattheAdmiraltyBoardforSirJohnHarrison。Tellthemalltobehereatteno\'clocktonight。IfIamnotback，theymustwait。Ifeitherofthemhaveroyalcommands，youneedonlyrepeattheword\'Finisterre。\'Theywillunderstand。"

Theyoungmanoncemorewithdrew。ThePrimeMinisterturnedbacktothepapers。

"Itwillbeworthagreatdeal，"heremarked，withagrimsmile，"toseeHisMajesty\'sfacewhenhereadsthis。"

"Itwouldbeworthagreatdealmore，"hisfellowstatesmananswereddryly，"tobewithhisAugustcousinattheinterviewwhichwillfollow。Amonthago，thethoughtthatwarmightcomeunderouradministrationwasacontinualterrortome。To-daythingsareentirelydifferent。To-dayitreallyseemsthatifwardoescome，itmaybethemostglorioushappeningforEnglandofthiscentury。YousawthelastreportfromKiel？"

SirJamesnodded。

"Thereisn\'tabattleshiporacruiserworthasnapofthefingerssouthoftheGermanOcean，"hiscolleaguecontinuedearnestly。

"Theyarecoopedup-safeenough，theythink-undertheshelteroftheirfortifications。Hamiltonhasanotheridea。Betweenyouandme，SirJames，sohaveI。Itellyou，"hewenton，inadeeperandmorepassionatetone，"it\'slikethepassingofaterriblenightmare-this。Wehavehadtenyearsofpanic，ofnervousfearsofaGermaninvasion，andnooneknowsmorethanyouandI，SirJames，howmuchcausewehavehadforthosefears。Itwillseemstrangeif，afterall，historyhastowritethatchapterdifferently。"

Thesecretaryre-enteredandannouncedtheresultofhistelephoneinterviewwiththesuperintendentatPaddington。Thetwogreatmenrose。ThePrimeMinisterheldouthishandtoBellamy。

"Bellamy，"hedeclared，"you\'vedoneusonemoreimportantservice。

Theremaybeworkforyouwithinthenextfewweeks，butyou\'veearnedarestforadayortwo，atanyrate。Thereisnothingmorewecando？"

"NothingexceptalettertotheHomeSecretary，SirJames，"Bellamyanswered。"Remember，sir，thatalthoughIhaveworkedhard，themantowhomwereallyowethosepapersisStephenLaverick。"

ThePrimeMinisterfrownedthoughtfully。

"It\'sadifficultsituation，Bellamy，"hesaid。"Youareaskingagreatdealwhenyousuggestthatweshouldinterfereintheslightestmannerwiththecourseofjustice。Youareabsolutelyconvinced，Isuppose，thatthismanLaverickhadnothingtodowiththemurder？"

"Absolutelyandentirely，sir，"Bellamyreplied。

"Themurderedmanhasneverbeenidentifiedbythepolice，"SirJamesremarked。"Whowashe？"

"HisnamewasRudolphVonBehrling，"Bellamyannounced，"andhewasactuallytheChancellor\'snephew，alsohisprivatesecretary。I

havetoldyouthehistory，sir，ofthosepapers。ItwasVonBehrlingwho，withoutadoubt，murderedtheAmericanjournalistandsecuredthem。ItwashewhoinsisteduponcomingtoLondoninsteadofreturningwiththemtoVienna，whichwouldhavebeenthemostobviouscourseforhimtohaveadopted。Hewasapauper，anddesperatelyinlovewithacertainladywhohashelpedmethroughoutthismatter。Heagreedtopartwiththepapersfortwentythousandpounds，andtheladyincidentallypromisedtoelopewithhimthesamenight。Imethimbyappointmentatthatlittlerestaurantinthecity，paidhimthetwentythousandpounds，andreceivedthefalsepacketwhichyourememberIbroughttoyou，sir。Asamatteroffact，VonBehrling，eitherbyaccidentordesign，andnomannowwilleverknowwhich，leftmewiththosepaperswhichIwassupposedtohaveboughtinhispossession，andalsothemoney。Withinfiveminuteshewasmurdered。Doubtlessweshallknowsometimebywhom，butitwasnotbyStephenLaverick。Laverick\'sshareinthewholethingwasnothingbutthis-thathefoundthepocket-book，andthathemadeuseofthenotesinhisbusinessfortwenty-fourhourstosavehimselffromruin。Thatwasunjustifiable，ofcourse。Hehasmadeatonement。Thenotesatthisminuteareinasafedepositvaultandwillbereturnedintacttothefundfromwhichtheycame。

Iwant，also，toimpressuponyou，SirJames，thefactthatBarondeStreussofferedonehundredthousandpoundsforthatletter。"

SirJamesnoddedthoughtfully。Hestoopeddownandscrawledafewlinesonhalfasheetofnote-paper。

"YoumusttakethistoLordEstcourtatonce，"hesaid，"andtellhimthewholeaffair，omittingallspecificinformationastothenatureofthepapers。Thethingmustbearranged，ofcourse。"

Half-a-dozenreporters，whohadsomehowgotholdofthefactthatthePrimeMinisterandhiscolleaguefromtheForeignOfficeweregoingdowntoWindsoronaspecialmission，followedthem，buteventheyremainedaltogetherinthedarkastotheeventswhichwerereallytranspiring。TheyknewnothingoftheinterviewbetweentheCzarandhisAugusthost-aninterviewwhichinitselfwasachapterinthehistoryofthesetimes。Theyknewnothingofthereasonoftheirroyalvisitor\'sdecisiontoprolonghisvisitinsteadofshorteningit，orofhisautographlettertothePresidentoftheFrenchRepublic，whichreachedParisevenbeforethespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghadpresentedthemselves。

Theonethingwhichtheydidknow，andthatalonewassignificantenough，wasthattheCzar\'sForeignMinisterwascabledforthatnighttocometohismasterbyspecialtrainfromSt。Petersburg。

AttheAustrianandGermanEmbassies，forewarnedbyareportfromBarondeStreuss，somethinglikeconsternationreigned。TheRussianAmbassador，heckledtodeath，tookrefugeatWindsorunderpretenceofacommandfromhisroyalmaster。ThehappiestmaninLondonwasPrinceRosmaran。

CHAPTERXXXVI

LAVERICKACQUITTED

Atmid-dayonthefollowingmorningLavericksteppeddownfromthedockatBowStreetand，astheeveningpapersputit，"incompanywithhisfriendsleftthecourt。"Theproceedingsaltogethertookscarcelymorethanhalf-an-hour。Laverick\'ssolicitorfirstputShepherdinthebox，whogavehisaccountofMorrison\'svisittotherestaurant，spokeofhishurriedexit，andidentifiedtheknifewhichhehadseenhimsnatchup。Cross-examinedastowhyhehadkeptsilent，heexplainedthatMr。Morrisonhadbeenagoodcustomerandhesawnoreasonwhyheshouldgiveunsolicitedevidencewhichwouldcostamanhislife。Directly，however，anothermanhadbeenaccused，thematterappearedtohimtobealtogetherdifferent。HehadcomeforwardthemomenthehadheardofLaverick\'sARREST，toofferhisevidence。

Whiletheopinionofthecourtwasstillundecided，Laverick\'ssolicitorcalledMissZoeLeneveu。Alittlemurmurofinterestranthoughthecourt。Laverickhimselfstarted。Zoesteppedintothewitness-box，lookingexceedinglypale，andwithabandageovertheupperpartofherhead。Sheadmittedthatshewasthehalf-sisterofArthurMorrison，althoughtherewasnobloodrelationship。Shedescribedhissuddenvisittoherroomsonthenightofthemurder，andhisstateofgreatalarm。Shedeclaredthathehadconfessedtoheronthepreviousafternoonthathehadbeenguiltyofthemurderinquestion。

Herplaceinthewitness-boxwastakenbytheHonorableDavidBellamy。Hedeclaredthattheprisonerwasanoldfriendofhis，andthatthetwentythousandpoundsofwhichhehadbeenrecentlypossessed，hadcomefromhimforinvestmentinLaverick\'sbusiness。

Thecircumstances，headmitted，weresomewhatpeculiar，anduntilnegotiationshadbeenconcludedMr。Laverickhaddoubtlessfeltuncertainhowtomakeuseofthemoney。Butheassuredthecourtthattherewasnopersonwhohadanyclaimtothesumofmoneyinquestionsavehimself，andthathewasperfectlyawareoftheusetowhichLaverickhadputit。

Laverickwasdischargedwithinaveryfewminutes，andawarrantwasissuedfortheapprehensionofMorrison。LaverickfoundBellamywaitingforhim，andwashurriedintohismotor。

"Well，yousee，"thelatterexclaimed，"wekeptourword！Thatdearpluckylittlefriendofyoursturnedthescale，butinanycaseIthinkthattherewouldnothavebeenmuchtroubleaboutthematter。ThemagistratehadreceivedacommunicationdirectfromtheHomeSecretaryconcerningyourcase。"

"Iamverygratefulindeed，"Laverickdeclared。"ItellyouI

thinkIamverylucky。IwishIknewwhathadbecomeofMissLeneveu。Theushertoldmesheleftthecourtbeforewecameout。"

"Iaskedhertogostraightbacktoherrooms，"Bellamysaid。"Youmustexcusemeforinterfering，Laverick，butIfoundheralmostinastateofcollapselastnightinJermynStreet。IwashavingMorrisonwatched，andmymanreportedtomethathehadlefthisroomsinastateofgreatexcitement，andthatayoungladywastherewhoappearedtobeseriouslyinjured。"

"D-dscamp！"Laverickmuttered。

"IdideverythingIcould，"Bellamycontinued。"Ifetchedheratonceandsentherbacktoherhousewithahospitalnurseandsomeonetolookafterher。Thewoundwasn\'tserious，butthefellowmusthavebeenabruteindeedtohaveliftedhishandagainstsuchachild。Iwonderwhetherhe\'llgetaway。"

"Ishoulddoubtit，"Laverickremarked。"Hehasn\'tthenerve。

He\'llprobablygetdrunkandblowhisbrainsout。He\'sabroken-spiritedcur，afterall。"

"You\'llhavesomelunch？"Bellamyasked。

Laverickshookhishead。

"Ifyoudon\'tmind，I\'dliketogoonandseeMissLeneveu。"

"Putmedownattheclub，then，andtakemycaron，ifyouwill。"

LaverickwalkedupanddownthepavementoutsideZoe\'slittlehousefornearlyhalf-an-hour。Hehadfoundthedoorclosedandlocked，andaneighborhadinformedhimthatMissLeneveuhadgoneoutinacabwiththenurse，sometimeago，andhadnotreturned。LavericksentBellamy\'scarbackandwaited。Presentlyafour-wheelcabcameroundthecornerandstoppedinfrontofherhouse。LaverickopenedthedoorandhelpedZoeout。Shewasaswhiteasdeath，andthenursewhowaswithherwaslookinganxious。

"Youaresafe，then？"shemurmured，holdingoutherhands。

"Quite，"heanswered。"Youdearlittlegirl！"

Zoehadfainted，however，andLaverickhurriedoutforthedoctor。

Curiouslyenough，itwasthesamemanwhoonlyaweekorsoagohadcometoseeArthurMorrison。

"Shehashadabadscalpwound，"hedeclared，"andhernervoussystemisverymuchrundown。Thereisnothingserious。Sheseemstohavejustescapedconcussion。Thenursehadbetterstaywithherforanotherday，atanyrate。"

"Youaresurethatitisn\'tserious？"Laverickaskedeagerly。

"Notintheleast，"thedoctoranswereddryly。"Iseeworsewoundseverydayofmylife。I\'llcomeagainto-morrow，ifyoulike，butitreallyisn\'tnecessarywiththenurseonthespot。"

HisnaturalpessimismwasforamomentlightenedbythefeewhichLaverickpresseduponhim，andhedepartedwithafewmoreencouragingwords。Laverickstayedandtalkedforashorttimewiththenurse。

"Shehasgoneofftosleepnow，sir，"thelatterannounced。"Thereisn\'tanythingtoworryabout。Sheseemsasthoughshehadbeenhavingahardtime，though。Therewasscarcelyathinginthehousebuthalfapacketoftea-andthese。"

Sheheldupapacketofpawntickets。

"IfoundtheseinadrawerwhenIcame，"shesaid。"Ihadtolookround，becausetherewasnomoneyandnothingwhateverinthehouse。"

Laverickwassuddenlyconsciousofanabsurdmistinessbeforehiseyes。

"Poorlittlewoman！"hemurmured。"Ithinkshe\'dsoonerhavestarvedthanaskforhelp。"

Thenursesmiled。

"Ithoughtatfirstthatshewasratheravainyounglady，"sheremarked。"Anemptylarderandapileofpawntickets，andanewhatwithareceiptedbillforthirtyshillings，"sheadded，pointingtothesofa。

Laverickplacedsomenotesinherhands。

"Pleasekeepthese，"hebegged，"andseethatshehaseverythingshewants。Ishallbehereagainlaterintheday。Thereisnottheslightestneedforallthis。Shewillbequitewellofffortherestofherlife。Willyoutryandengagesomeoneforadayortwotocomeinuntilsheisabletobemoved？"

"I\'lllookafterher，"thenursepromised。

Laverickwentreluctantlyaway。Theeventsofthelastfewdayswerebecomingmoreandmorelikeadreamtohim。Hewenttohisclubalmostfromhabit。PresentlytheexcitementwhichallLondonseemedtobesharingdrovehisownpersonalfeelingsalittleintothebackground。Theairwasfullofrumors。ThePrimeMinisterandtheForeignSecretarywerespokenofasonespeaksofheroes。Nothingwasdefinitelyknown，buttherewasasplendidfeelingofconfidencethatforonceinherhistoryEnglandwaspreparingtojustifyherexistenceasagreatPower。

CHAPTERXXXVII

THEPLOTTHATFAILED

TheprogressoftheCzarfromBuckinghamPalacetotheMansionHouse，wherehehad，afterall，consentedtolunchwiththeLordMayor，witnessedapopularoutburstofenthusiasmabsolutelyinexplicabletothegeneralpublic。ItwasknownthataffairsinCentralEuropewereinadangerouslyprecariousstate，anditwasfeltthattheCzar\'svisithere，andtheurgentsummonswhichhadbroughtfromSt。PetersburghisForeignMinister，wereindicationsthatthelongwished-forententebetweenRussiaandthiscountrywasnowactuallyathand。TherewasinthePressacuriousreticencewithregardtothedevelopmentofthepoliticalsituation。

Onefelteverywherethatitwasthecalmbeforethestorm-thatatanymomentthegreatblackheadlinesmighttellofsomestartlingstrokeofdiplomacy，somedangerousperilavertedordefied。ThecircumstancesthemselvesoftheCzar\'svisithadbeenalittlepeculiar。Onhisarrivalitwasannouncedthat，forreasonsofhealth，theoriginalperiodofhisstay，namelyaweek，wastobecutdowntotwodays。NosoonerhadhearrivedatWindsor，however，thanachangewasannounced。TheCzarhadsofarrecoveredastobeableeventoextendtheperiodatfirstfixedforhisvisit。

Simultaneouslywiththis，theGermanandAustrianPresswerefullofbitterandbarelyveiledarticles，whosemeaningwasunmistakable。

TheCzarhadthrowninhislotatfirstwithAustriaandGermany。

Thathewasgoingdeliberatelytobreakawayfromthatarrangementthereseemednowscarcelyanymannerofdoubt。

BellamyandLouise，fromawindowinFleetStreet，watchedhimgoby。PrinceRosmaranhadbeenspeciallybiddentotheluncheon，buthe，too，hadbeenwiththemearlierinthemorning。Afterwardstheyturnedtheirbacksuponthecity，andassoonasthecrowdhadthinnedmadetheirwaytooneofthewest-endrestaurants。

"Itseemstoogoodtobetrue，"declaredLouise。Bellamynodded。

"NeverthelessIamconvincedthatitistrue。ThehumorofthewholethingisthatitwasourfriendsinGermanythemselveswhopressedtheCzarnottoaltogethercancelhisvisitforfearofexcitingsuspicion。That，ofcourse，waswhenthereseemedtobenoquestionofthenewsoftheViennacompactleakingout。TheywouldneverhavedaredtoexposeamantosuchatrialastheCzarmusthavefacedwhentheresumeoftheViennaproceedings，intheChancellor\'sownhandwriting，wasreadtohimatWindsor。"

"YousawthetelegramfromParis？"Louiseinterposed。"ThespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghasbeenrecalled。"

Bellamysmiled。

"ItallgoestoprovewhatIsay，"hewenton。"AnymorningyoumayexpecttohearthatAustriaandGermanyhavereceivedanultimatum。"

"Iwonder，"sheremarked，"whatbecameofStreuss。"

"HeishidingsomewhereinLondon，withoutadoubt，"Bellamyanswered。"There\'salwaysplentyofworkforspies。"

"Don\'tusethatword，"shebegged。

Hemadealittlegrimace。

"Youarethinkingofmyownconnectionwiththeprofession，areyounot？"heasked。"Well，thatcountsfornothingnow。IhopeImaystillservemycountryformanyyears，butitmustbeinadifferentway。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。

"Iheardfrommyuncle\'ssolicitorsthismorning，"Bellamycontinued，"thatheisveryfeebleandcannotlivemorethanafewmonths。

Whenhedies，ofcourse，ImusttakemyplaceintheHouseofLords。

ItishiswishthatIshouldnotleaveEnglandagainnow，soI

supposethereisnothingleftformebuttogiveitup。Ihavedonemyshareoftravelingandwork，afterall，"heconcluded，thoughtfully。

"Yourshare，indeed，"shemurmured。"RememberthatbutforthatdocumentwhichwasreadtotheCzaratWindsor，Serviamusthavegonedown，andEnglandwouldhavehadtotakeaplaceamongthesecond-classPowers。Theremaybewarnow，itistrue，butitwillbeagloriouswar。"

"Louise，verysoonweshallknow。UntilthenIwillsaynothing。

ButIdonotwantyoualtogethertoforgetthattherehasbeensomethinginmylifedearertomeeventhanmycareerfortheselastfewyears。"

Herblueeyesweresuddenlysoft。Shelookedacrosstowardshimwistfully。

"Dear，"shewhispered，"thingswillbealteredwithyounow。IamnotfittobethewifeofanEnglishpeer-Iamnotnoble。"

Helaughed。

"Iamafraid，"heassuredher，"thatIamdemocratenoughtothinkyouoneofthenoblestwomenonearth。WhyshouldInot？Yourlifeitselfhasbeenastudyindevotion。Themodernvirtuesseemalmosttoignorepatriotism，yettheloveofone\'scountryisasplendidthing。Butdon\'tyouthink，Louise，thatwehavedoneourworkthatitistimetothinkofourselves？"

Shegavehimherhand。

"Letussee，"shesaid。"Letuswaitforalittletimeandseewhatcomes。"

Thatnightanotherproofofthepopularfeeling，absolutelyspontaneous，brokeoutinoneoftheleastexpectedplaces。Louisewasencoredforherwonderfulsoloinamodernoperaofbellicosetrend，andinsteadofrepeatingitshecamealoneonthestageafterafewminutes\'absence，dressedinServiannationaldress。Forashorttimethecostumewasnotrecognized。Thenthemusic-thenationalhymnofServia，andtherecollectionofherparentage，broughtthethinghometotheaudience。Theydidnotevenwaitforhertofinish。Inthemiddleofhersongtheapplausebrokelikeacrashofthunder。Fromthepackedgallerytothestallstheycheeredherwildly，madly。Adozentimesshecamebeforethecurtain。Itseemedimpossiblethattheywouldeverlethergo。Directlysheturnedtoleavethestage，theuproarbrokeoutagain。Themanageratlastinsisteduponitthatsheshouldspeakafewwords。Shestoodinthecentreofthestageamidasilenceascompleteasthepreviousapplausehadbeenunanimous。HervoicereachedeasilytoeveryplaceintheHouse。

"Ithankyouallverymuch，"shesaid。"IamveryhappyindeedtobeinLondon，becauseitisthecapitalcityofthemostgenerouscountryintheworld-thecountrythatisalwaysreadytoprotectandhelpherweakerneighbors。IamaServian，andIlovemycountry，andtherefore，"sheadded，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-"thereforeIloveyouall。"

Itwasnearlymidnightbeforetheaudiencewasgotridof，andthestreetsofLondonhadnotbeensoimpassableforyears。CrowdsmadetheirwaytothefrontofBuckinghamPalaceandontotheWarOffice，wheremenwereworkinglate。Everythingseemedtodenotethatthespiritofthecountrywasroused:Thepapersnextmorningmadeimmensecapitaloftheincident，andforthefollowingtwenty-fourhourssuspensethroughoutthecountrywasalmostatfeverheight。ItwasknownthattheCabinetCouncilhadbeensittingforsixhours。Itwasknown，too，thatwithouttheleastcommotion，withscarcelyanymovementsofshipsthatcouldbecalleddirectlythreatening，thegreatestnavalforcewhichtheworldhadeverknownwasassemblingoffDover。Thestockmarketswerewildlyexcited。Laverick，backagaininhisoffice，foundthathisreturntohisaccustomedhauntsoccasionedscarcelyanycomment。Morestartlingeventswereshapingthemselves。Hisownremarkableadventureremained，curiouslyenough，almostundiscussed。

Helefttheofficeshortlybeforehisusualtime，notwithstandingtherushofbusiness，anddroveatoncetothelittlehouseinTheobaldSquare。Zoewaslyingonthesofa，stillwhite，buteagertodeclarethatthepainhadgoneandthatshewasnolongersuffering。

"Itistooabsurd，"shedeclared，smiling，"myhavingthisnursehere。Really，thereisnothingwhateverthematterwithme。I

shouldhavegonetothetheatre，butyouseeitisnouse。"

Shepassedhimtheletterwhichshehadbeenreading，andwhichcontainedhersomewhatcurtdismissal。Helaughedashetoreitintopieces。

"Areyousosorry，Zoe？Isthestagesowonderfulaplacethatyoucouldnotbeartothinkofleavingit？"

Sheshookherhead。

"Itisnotthat，"shewhispered。"Youknowthatitisnotthat。"

Hesmiledashetookherconfidentlyintohisarms。

"Thereisamuchmorearduouslifeinfrontofyou，dear，"hesaid。

"Youhavetocomeandlookaftermefortherestofyourdays。A

bachelorwhomarriesaslateinlifeasIdo，youknow，isatryingsortofperson。"

Sheshrankawayalittle。

"Youdon\'tmeanit，"shemurmured。

"YouknowverywellthatImeanit，"heanswered，kissingher。"I

thinkyouknewfromtheveryfirstthatsoonerorlateryouweredoomedtobecomemywife。"

Shesighedfaintlyandhalf-closedhereyes。Forthemomentshehadforgotteneverything。Shewasabsolutelyandcompletelyhappy。

Lateronhemadeherdressandcomeouttodinner，andafterwards，astheysattalking，helaidaneveningpaperbeforeher。

"Zoe，"hedeclared，"thebestthingthatcouldhashappened。Youwillnotbefoolish，dear，aboutit，Iknow。Rememberthealternative-andreadthat。"

SheglancedatthefewlineswhichannouncedthefindingofArthurMorrisoninahouseinBloomsburySquare。Thepolicehadapparentlytrackedhimdown，andhehadshothimselfatthefinalmoment。Thedetailsofhislastfewhourswereindescribable。Zoeshuddered，andhereyesfilledwithtears。Shesmiledbravelyinhisface，however。

"Itisterrible，"shewhisperedsimply，"but，afterall，hewasnorelationofmine，andhetriedtodoyouafrightfulinjury。WhenIthinkofthat，Ifindithardeventobesorry。

Therewasindeedalmostapitilesslookinherfaceasshefoldedupthepaper，asthoughshefeltsomethingofthatcommoninstinctofhersexwhichtransformsagentlewomansoquicklyintoahard，mercilesscreaturewhenthebeingwhomshelovesisthreatened。

Lavericksmiled。

"Letusgooutintothestreets，"hesaid，"andhearwhatallthisexcitementisabout。"

Theyboughtalateedition，andthereitwasatlastinblackandwhite。AnultimatumhadbeenpresentedatBerlinandVienna。

CertaintreatyrightswhichhadbeenbrokenwithregardtoAustria\'sactionintheEastwereinsisteduponbyGreatBritain。ItwasdemandedthatAustriashouldceasethemobilizationofhertroopsupontheServianfrontier，andrenounceallrightstoaprotectorateoverthatcountry，whoseindependenceGreatBritainfeltcalledupon，fromthattimeforward，toguarantee。ItwasfurtherannouncedthatEngland，France，andRussiawereactinginthismatterincompleteconcert，andthattheneutralityofItalywasassured。Further，itwasknownthatthegreatEnglishfleethadleftfortheNorthSeawithsealedorders。

LavericktookZoehomeearlyandcalledlateratBellamy\'srooms。

Bellamygreetedhimheartily。Hewasonthepointofgoingout，andthetwomendroveofftogetherinthelatter\'scar。

"See，mydearfriend，"Bellamyexclaimed，"whatgreatthingscomefromsmallmeans！Thedocumentwhichyoupreservedforus，andforwhichwehadtofightsohard，hasdoneallthis。"

"Itismarvelous！"Laverickmurmured。

"Itisverysimple，"Bellamydeclared。"ThatmeetinginViennawasmeanttoforceourhands。Itisallaquestionofthebalanceofstrength。GermanyandAustriatogether，withRussiafriendly，-

evenwithRussianeutral，-couldhavedefiedEurope。GermanycouldhavespreadoutherarmywestwardswhileAustriaseizeduponherprey。Itwasasplendidplot，anditwasgoingverywelluntiltheCzarhimselfwassuddenlyconfrontedbyourKingandhisMinisterswitharevelationofthewholeaffair。AtWindsorthethingseemeddifferenttohim。TheFrenchGovernmentbehavedsplendidly，andtheCzarbehavedlikeaman。GermanyandAustriaareleftplantela。

Iftheyfight，well，itwillbenoone-sidedaffair。Theyhavenofleet，orrathertheywillhavenoneinafortnight\'stime。Theyhavenomeansoflandinganarmyhere。Austria，perhaps，canholdRussia，butwithaFrencharmyinbettershapethanithasbeenforyears，andtheEnglishlandingasmanymenastheycaretodo，withease，anywhereonthenorthcoastofGermany，theentireschemeprovedabortive。Comeintotheclubandhaveadrink，Laverick。

To-daygreatthingshavehappenedtome。"

"Andtome，"Laverickinterposed。

"Youcanguessmynews，perhaps，"Bellamysaid，astheyseatedthemselvesineasy-chairs。"MademoiselleIdialehaspromisedtobemywife。"

Laverickheldouthishand。

"Icongratulateyouheartily！"heexclaimed。"Ihavebeenanengagedmanmyselfforsomethinglikehalf-an-hour。"

CHAPTERXXXVIII

AFAREWELLAPPEARANCE

"Onething，atleast，theserecentadventuresshouldteachwhoevermayberesponsibleforthegovernmentofthiscountry，"Bellamyremarkedtohiswife，ashelaiddownthemorningpaper。"ForthefirsttimeinmanyyearswehavetakentheaggressiveagainstPowersofequalstanding。Wewerealwaysrathergoodatbullyingsmallercountries，butthebareideaofanultimatumtoGermanywouldhavemadeourlatePremiergolightheaded。"

"Andyetitsucceeded，"Louiseremindedhim。

"Absolutely，"heaffirmed。"To-day\'snewsmakespeaceacertainty。

Ifyourcountrykneweverything，Louise，they\'dgiveusaroyalwelcomenextmonth。"

"Youreallymeanthatwearetogothere，then？"sheasked。

"Itisn\'texactlyoneofmyprivileges，"hedeclared，"tofixuponthespotwhereweshalltakeourbelatedhoneymoon，butIhaven\'tbeeninBelgradeforyears，andIknowyou\'dliketoseeyourpeople。"

"ItwillbemorehappinessthanIeverdreamedof，"shemurmured。

"DoyouthinkweshallbesafeinpassingthroughVienna？"

Bellamylaughed。

"Remember，"hesaid，"thatIamnolongerDavidBellamy，withasilvergreyhoundattachedtomywatch-chainandanobnoxiousreputationinforeigncountries。IamLordDenchesterofDenchester，aharmlessEnglishpeertravelingonhishoneymoon。

Bytheway，Ihopeyoulikethetitle。"

"IshallloveitwhenIgetusedtoit，"shedeclared。"TobeanEnglishCountessisdazzling，butIdothinkthatIoughtnottogoonsingingatCoventGarden。"

"To-morrowwillbeyourlastnight，"heremindedher。"IhaveaskedLaverickandthedearlittlegirlheisgoingtomarrytocomewithme。Afterwardswemustallhavesuppertogether。"

"Howniceofyou！"sheexclaimed。

"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，"Bellamysaid，smiling。"IreallylikeLaverick。Heisadecentfellowandagoodsort。Incidentally，hewasthunderingusefultous，andprettypluckyaboutit。Heinterestsme，too，inanotherway。Heisamanwho，facetofacewithamoralproblem，actedexactlyasIshouldhavedonemyself！"

"Youmeanaboutthetwentythousandpounds？"sheasked。

Bellamyassented。

"Hewaspracticallydishonest，"hepointedout。"Hehadnorighttousethatmoneyandheoughttohavetakenthepocket-booktothepolice-station。Ifhehaddoneso-thatistosay，ifhehadwaitedthereforthepolice，ifhehadbeenseentoholdoutthatpocket-book，tohavediscusseditwithanyone，itistentoonethattherewouldhavebeenanothertragedythatnight。Atanyrate，thedocumentwouldneverhavecometous。"

Shesmiled。

"Mymoraljudgmentiswarped，"sheasserted，"fromthefactthatLaverick\'sdecisionbroughtusthedocument。"

Henodded。

"Perhapsso，"heagreed，"andyet，therewasthemanfacetofacewithruin。Theuseofthatmoneyforafewhoursdidnooneanyharm，andsavedhim。Isaythatsuchadeedisalwaysamatterofcalculation，andinthiscasethathewasjustified。"

"Iwonderwhathereallythinksaboutithimself，"sheremarked。

"PerhapsI\'llaskhim。"

Butwhenthetimecame，andhesatintheboxwithLaverickandZoe，heforgoteverythingelseinthejoyofwatchingthewomanwhomhehadlovedsolong。Shemovedaboutthestagethatnightasthoughherfeetindeedfellupontheair。Sheappearedtobesingingalwayswithrestraint，yetwithsomenewpowerinhervoice，aqualitywhicheveninhersimplernotesleftthegreataudiencethrilled。Alreadytherewasarumorthatitwasherlastappearance。

HermarriagetoBellamyhadbeenthatdayannouncedintheMorningPost。When，inthelastact，shesangaloneonthestagethefamouslovesong，itseemedtothemallthatalthoughhervoicetrembledmorethanonce，itwasanewthingtowhichtheylistened。ZoefoundherselfclaspingLaverick\'shandintremulousexcitement。

Bellamysatlikeastatue，alittlebackinthebox，hisclean-cutfacethrownintopowerfulreliefbytheshadowsbeyond。Yet，ashelistened，hiseyes，too，weremarvelouslysoft。Thesonggrewandgrewtill，withthelastnotes，thewholestoryofanexquisiteandexpectantpassionseemedtremblinginhervoice。Thelastnotecamefromherlipsalmostasthoughunwillingly，andwasprolongedforanextraordinaryperiod。Whenitdiedaway，itspassingseemedsomethingalmostunrealizable。Itquiveredawayintoasilencewhichlastedformanysecondsbeforethegatheringroarofapplausesweptthehouse。AndinthoselastfewsecondsshehadturnedandfacedBellamy。Theireyesmet，andthelightwhichflashedfromhisseemedansweredbythequiveringofherthroat。Itwashergood-bye。Shewassinginganewlove-song，singingherwayintothelifeofthemanwhomsheloved，singingherwayintoloveitself。Oncemorethegreathouse，packedtotheceiling，wasworkeduptoastateoffrenziedexcitement。Bellamywasrecognized，andthesignificanceofhersongsentawaveofsentimentthroughthehousewhoseonlypossibleformofexpressiontooktoitselfshapeinthefranticgreetingswhichcalledhertothefrontagainandagain。

Butthethreeintheboxweresilent。Bellamystoodbackintheshadows。LaverickandZoeseemedsuddenlytobecomeimmersedinthemselves。Bellamythrewopenthedooroftheboxandpointedoutside。

"AtLuigi\'sinhalf-an-hour，"saidhesoftly。"Youwillexcusemeforafewminutes？IamgoingtoLouise。"

End