Ipulledupandproposedtoinvestigate，butBlenkironverytestilydeclined。
’Zithersareascommonhereasfleas，’hesaid。’Youdon’twanttobefossickingaroundsomebody’sstablesandfindahorse—boyentertaininghisfriends。Theydon’tlikevisitorsinthiscountry;
andyou’llbeaskingfortroubleifyougoinsidethosewalls。Iguessit’ssomeoldBuzzard’sharem。’BuzzardwashisownprivatepeculiarnamefortheTurk，forhesaidhehadhadasaboyanaturalhistorybookwithapictureofabirdcalledtheturkey—buzzard，andcouldn’tgetoutofthehabitofapplyingittotheOttomanpeople。
Iwasn’tconvinced，soItriedtomarkdowntheplace。Itseemedtobeaboutthreemilesoutfromthecity，attheendofasteeplaneontheinlandsideofthehillcomingfromtheBosporus。Ifanciedsomebodyofdistinctionlivedthere，foralittlefartheronwemetabigemptymotor—carsnortingitswayup，andIhadanotionthatthecarbelongedtothewalledvilla。
NextdayBlenkironwasingrievoustroublewithhisdyspepsia。
Aboutmiddayhewascompelledtoliedown，andhavingnothingbettertodoIhadoutthehorsesagainandtookPeterwithme。ItwasfunnytoseePeterinaTurkisharmy—saddle，ridingwiththelongBoerstirrupandtheslouchofthebackveld。
Thatafternoonwasunfortunatefromthestart。Itwasnotthemistanddrizzleofthedaybefore，butastiffnortherngalewhichblewsheetsofraininourfacesandnumbedourbridlehands。Wetookthesameroad，butpushedwestofthetrench—diggingpartiesandgottoashallowvalleywithawhitevillageamongthecypresses。
Beyondthattherewasaveryrespectableroadwhichbroughtustothetopofacrestthatinclearweathermusthavegivenafineprospect。Thenweturnedourhorses，andIshapedourcoursesoastostrikethetopofthelonglanethatabuttedonthedown。I
wantedtoinvestigatethewhitevilla。
Butwehadn’tgonefaronourroadbackbeforewegotintotrouble。Itaroseoutofasheep—dog，ayellowmongrelbrutethatcameatuslikeathunderbolt。IttookaspecialfancytoPeter，andbitsavagelyathishorse’sheelsandsentitcaperingofftheroad。I
shouldhavewarnedhim，butIdidnotrealizewhatwashappening，tilltoolate。ForPeter，beingaccustomedtomongrelsinKaffirkraals，tookasummarywaywiththepest。Sinceitdespisedhiswhip，heoutwithhispistolandputabulletthroughitshead。
Theechoesoftheshothadscarcelydiedawaywhentherowbegan。Abigfellowappearedrunningtowardsus，shoutingwildly。
Iguessedhewasthedog’sowner，andproposedtopaynoattention。
Buthiscriessummonedtwootherfellows—soldiersbythelookofthem—whoclosedinonus，unslingingtheirriflesastheyran。Myfirstideawastoshowthemourheels，butIhadnodesiretobeshotintheback，andtheylookedlikemenwhowouldn’tstopshortofshooting。Sowesloweddownandfacedthem。
Theymadeassavage—lookingatrioasyouwouldwanttoavoid。
Theshepherdlookedasifhehadbeendugup，adirtyruffianwithmattedhairandabeardlikeabird’snest。Thetwosoldiersstoodstaringwithsullenfaces，fingeringtheirguns，whiletheotherchapravedandstormedandkeptpointingatPeter，whosemildeyesstaredunwinkinglyathisassailant。
ThemischiefwasthatneitherofushadawordofTurkish。I
triedGerman，butithadnoeffect。Wesatlookingatthemandtheystoodstormingatus，anditwasfastgettingdark。OnceIturnedmyhorseroundasiftoproceed，andthetwosoldiersjumpedinfrontofme。
Theyjabberedamongthemselves，andthenonesaidveryslowly:
’He……want……pounds，’andheheldupfivefingers。Theyevidentlysawbythecutofourjibthatweweren’tGermans。
’I’llbehangedifhegetsapenny，’Isaidangrily，andtheconversationlanguished。
Thesituationwasgettingserious，soIspokeawordtoPeter。
Thesoldiershadtheirrifleslooseintheirhands，andbeforetheycouldliftthemwehadthepaircoveredwithourpistols。
’Ifyoumove，’Isaid，’youaredead。’Theyunderstoodthatallrightandstoodstockstill，whiletheshepherdstoppedhisravingandtooktomutteringlikeagramophonewhentherecordisfinished。
’Dropyourguns，’Isaidsharply。’Quick，orweshoot。’
Thetone，ifnotthewords，conveyedmymeaning。Stillstaringatus，theylettheriflesslidetotheground。Thenextsecondwehadforcedourhorsesonthetopofthem，andthethreewereofflikerabbits。Isentashotovertheirheadstoencouragethem。Peterdismountedandtossedthegunsintoabitofscrubwheretheywouldtakesomefinding。
Thishold—uphadwastedtime。Bynowitwasgettingverydark，andwehadn’triddenamilebeforeitwasblacknight。Itwasanannoyingpredicament，forIhadcompletelylostmybearingsandatthebestIhadonlyafoggynotionofthelieoftheland。Thebestplanseemedtobetotryandgettothetopofariseinthehopeofseeingthelightsofthecity，butallthecountrysidewassopocketythatitwashardtostriketherightkindofrise。
WehadtotrusttoPeter’sinstinct。Iaskedhimwhereourlinelay，andhesatverystillforaminutesniffingtheair。Thenhepointedthedirection。Itwasn’twhatIwouldhavetakenmyself，butonapointlikethathewasprettynearinfallible。
Presentlywecametoalongslopewhichcheeredme。Butatthetoptherewasnolightvisibleanywhere—onlyablackvoidliketheinsideofashell。AsIstaredintothegloomitseemedtomethattherewerepatchesofdeeperdarknessthatmightbewoods。
’Thereisahousehalf—leftinfrontofus，’saidPeter。
Ipeeredtillmyeyesachedandsawnothing。
’Well，forheaven’ssake，guidemetoit，’Isaid，andwithPeterinfrontwesetoffdownthehill。
Itwasawildjourney，fordarknessclungasclosetousasavest。
Twicewesteppedintopatchesofbog，andoncemyhorsesavedhimselfbyahairfromgoingheadforwardintoagravelpit。Wegottangledupinstrandsofwire，andoftenfoundourselvesrubbingournosesagainsttreetrunks。SeveraltimesIhadtogetdownandmakeagapinbarricadesofloosestones。Butafteraridiculousamountofslippingandstumblingwefinallystruckwhatseemedthelevelofaroad，andapieceofspecialdarknessinfrontwhichturnedouttobeahighwall。
Iarguedthatallmortalwallshaddoors，sowesettogropingalongit，andpresentlyfoundagap。Therewasanoldirongateonbrokenhinges，whichweeasilypushedopen，andfoundourselvesonabackpathtosomehouse。Itwasclearlydisused，formassesofrottingleavescoveredit，andbythefeelofitunderfootitwasgrass—grown。
Wedismountednow，leadingourhorses，andafteraboutfiftyyardsthepathceasedandcameoutonawell—madecarriagedrive。
So，atleast，weguessed，fortheplacewasasblackaspitch。
Evidentlythehousecouldn’tbefaroff，butinwhichdirectionI
hadn’tanotion。
Now，Ididn’twanttobepayingcallsonanyTurkatthattimeofday。Ourjobwastofindwheretheroadopenedintothelane，forafterthatourwaytoConstantinoplewasclear。Onesidethelanelay，andtheotherthehouse，anditdidn’tseemwisetotaketheriskoftrampingupwithhorsestothefrontdoor。SoItoldPetertowaitformeattheendoftheback—road，whileIwouldprospectabit。Iturnedtotheright，myintentionbeingifIsawthelightofahousetoreturn，andwithPetertaketheotherdirection。
Iwalkedlikeablindmaninthatnether—pitofdarkness。Theroadseemedwellkept，andthesoftwetgravelmuffledthesoundsofmyfeet。Greattreesoverhungit，andseveraltimesIwanderedintodrippingbushes。AndthenIstoppedshortinmytracks，forI
heardthesoundofwhistling。
Itwasquiteclose，abouttenyardsaway。AndthestrangethingwasthatitwasatuneIknew，aboutthelasttuneyouwouldexpecttohearinthispartoftheworld。ItwastheScotsair:’Ca’theyowestotheknowes，’whichwasafavouriteofmyfather’s。
Thewhistlermusthavefeltmypresence，fortheairsuddenlystoppedinthemiddleofabar。Anunboundedcuriosityseizedmetoknowwhothefellowcouldbe。SoIstartedinandfinisheditmyself。
Therewassilenceforasecond，andthentheunknownbeganagainandstopped。OncemoreIchippedinandfinishedit。
Thenitseemedtomethathewascomingnearer。Theairinthatdanktunnelwasverystill，andIthoughtIheardalightfoot。I
thinkItookastepbackward。Suddenlytherewasaflashofanelectrictorchfromayardoff，soquickthatIcouldseenothingofthemanwhoheldit。
Thenalowvoicespokeoutofthedarkness—avoiceIknewwell—and，followingit，ahandwaslaidonmyarm。’Whatthedevilareyoudoinghere，Dick？’itsaid，andtherewassomethinglikeconsternationinthetone。
Itoldhiminahecticsentence，forIwasbeginningtofeelbadlyrattledmyself。
’You’veneverbeeningreaterdangerinyourlife，’saidthevoice。
’GreatGod，man，whatbroughtyouwanderingheretodayofalldays？’
YoucanimaginethatIwasprettyscared，forSandywasthelastmantoputacasetoohigh。AndthenextsecondIfeltworse，forheclutchedmyarmanddraggedmeinaboundtothesideoftheroad。Icouldseenothing，butIfeltthathisheadwasscrewedround，andminefollowedsuit。Andthere，adozenyardsoff，weretheacetylenelightsofabigmotor—car。
Itcamealongveryslowly，purringlikeagreatcat，whilewepressedintothebushes。Theheadlightsseemedtospreadafanfartoeitherside，showingthefullwidthofthedriveanditsborders，andabouthalftheheightoftheover—archingtrees。Therewasafigureinuniformsittingbesidethechauffeur，whomIsawdimlyinthereflexglow，butthebodyofthecarwasdark。
Itcrepttowardsus，passed，andmymindwasjustgettingeasyagainwhenitstopped。Aswitchwassnappedwithin，andthelimousinewasbrightlylitup。InsideIsawawoman’sfigure。
Theservanthadgotoutandopenedthedoorandavoicecamefromwithin—aclearsoftvoicespeakinginsometongueIdidn’tunderstand。Sandyhadstartedforwardatthesoundofit，andI
followedhim。Itwouldneverdoformetobecaughtskulkinginthebushes。
IwassodazzledbythesuddennessoftheglarethatatfirstI
blinkedandsawnothing。ThenmyeyesclearedandIfoundmyselflookingattheinsideofacarupholsteredinsomesoftdove—colouredfabric，andbeautifullyfinishedoffinivoryandsilver。Thewomanwhosatinithadamantillaofblacklaceoverherheadandshoulders，andwithoneslenderjewelledhandshekeptitsfoldoverthegreaterpartofherface。Isawonlyapairofpalegrey—blueeyes—theseandtheslimfingers。
IrememberthatSandywasstandingveryuprightwithhishandsonhiships，bynomeanslikeaservantinthepresenceofhismistress。Hewasafinefigureofamanatalltimes，butinthosewildclothes，withhisheadthrownbackandhisdarkbrowsdrawnbelowhisskull—cap，helookedlikesomesavagekingoutofanolderworld。HewasspeakingTurkish，andglancingatmenowandthenasifangryandperplexed。Itookthehintthathewasnotsupposedtoknowanyothertongue，andthathewasaskingwhothedevilImightbe。
Thentheybothlookedatme，Sandywiththeslowunwinkingstareofthegipsy，theladywiththosecurious，beautifulpaleeyes。
Theyranovermyclothes，mybrand—newriding—breeches，mysplashedboots，mywide—brimmedhat。Itookoffthelastandmademybestbow。
’Madam，’Isaid，’Ihavetoaskpardonfortrespassinginyourgarden。Thefactis，Iandmyservant—he’sdowntheroadwiththehorsesandIguessyounoticedhim—thetwoofuswentforaridethisafternoon，andgotgoodandwelllost。Wecameinbyyourbackgate，andIwasprospectingforyourfrontdoortofindsomeonetodirectus，whenIbumpedintothisbrigand—chiefwhodidn’tunderstandmytalk。I’mAmerican，andI’mhereonabigGovernmentproposition。Ihatetotroubleyou，butifyou’dsendamantoshowushowtostrikethecityI’dbeverymuchinyourdebt。’
Hereyesneverleftmyface。’Willyoucomeintothecar？’shesaidinEnglish。’AtthehouseIwillgiveyouaservanttodirectyou。’
Shedrewintheskirtsofherfurcloaktomakeroomforme，andinmymuddybootsandsoppingclothesItooktheseatshepointedout。ShesaidawordinTurkishtoSandy，switchedoffthelight，andthecarmovedon。
Womenhadnevercomemuchmyway，andIknewaboutasmuchoftheirwaysasIknewabouttheChineselanguage。AllmylifeIhadlivedwithmenonly，andratheraroughcrowdatthat。
WhenImademypileandcamehomeIlookedtoseealittlesociety，butIhadfirstthebusinessoftheBlackStoneonmyhands，andthenthewar，somyeducationlanguished。Ihadneverbeeninamotor—carwithaladybefore，andIfeltlikeafishonadrysandbank。Thesoftcushionsandthesubtlescentsfilledmewithacuteuneasiness。Iwasn’tthinkingnowaboutSandy’sgravewords，oraboutBlenkiron’swarning，oraboutmyjobandthepartthiswomanmustplayinit。IwasthinkingonlythatIfeltmortallyshy。
Thedarknessmadeitworse。Iwassurethatmycompanionwaslookingatmeallthetimeandlaughingatmeforaclown。
Thecarstoppedandatallservantopenedthedoor。TheladywasoverthethresholdbeforeIwasatthestep。Ifollowedherheavily，thewetsquelchingfrommyfield—boots。AtthatmomentInoticedthatshewasverytall。
Sheledmethroughalongcorridortoaroomwheretwopillarsheldlampsintheshapeoftorches。Theplacewasdarkbutfortheirglow，anditwasaswarmasahothousefrominvisiblestoves。Ifeltsoftcarpetsunderfoot，andonthewallshungsometapestryorrugofanamazinglyintricategeometricalpattern，butwitheverystrandasrichasjewels。There，betweenthepillars，sheturnedandfacedme。Herfurswerethrownback，andtheblackmantillahadslippeddowntohershoulders。
’Ihaveheardofyou，’shesaid。’YouarecalledRichardHanau，theAmerican。Whyhaveyoucometothisland？’
’Tohaveashareinthecampaign，’Isaid。’I’manengineer，andI
thoughtIcouldhelpoutwithsomebusinesslikeMesopotamia。’
’YouareonGermany’sside？’sheasked。
’Why，yes，’Ireplied。’WeAmericansaresupposedtobenootrals，andthatmeanswe’refreetochooseanysidewefancy。I’mfortheKaiser。’
Hercooleyessearchedme，butnotinsuspicion。Icouldseeshewasn’ttroublingwiththequestionwhetherIwasspeakingthetruth。Shewassizingmeupasaman。Icannotdescribethatcalmappraisinglook。Therewasnosexinit，nothingevenofthatimplicitsympathywithwhichonehumanbeingexplorestheexistenceofanother。Iwasachattel，athinginfinitelyremovedfromintimacy。EvensoIhavemyselflookedatahorsewhichIthoughtofbuying，scanninghisshouldersandhocksandpaces。EvensomusttheoldlordsofConstantinoplehavelookedattheslaveswhichthechancesofwarbroughttotheirmarkets，assessingtheirusefulnessforsometaskorotherwithnothoughtofahumanitycommontopurchasedandpurchaser。Andyet—notquite。Thiswoman’seyeswereweighingme，notforanyspecialduty，butformyessentialqualities。IfeltthatIwasunderthescrutinyofonewhowasaconnoisseurinhumannature。
IseeIhavewrittenthatIknewnothingaboutwomen。Buteverymanhasinhisbonesaconsciousnessofsex。Iwasshyandperturbed，buthorriblyfascinated。Thisslimwoman，poisedexquisitelylikesomestatuebetweenthepillaredlights，withherfaircloudofhair，herlongdelicateface，andherpalebrighteyes，hadtheglamourofawilddream。Ihatedherinstinctively，hatedherintensely，butIlongedtoarouseherinterest。Tobevaluedcoldlybythoseeyeswasanoffencetomymanhood，andIfeltantagonismrisingwithinme。Iamastrongfellow，wellsetup，andratherabovetheaverageheight，andmyirritationstiffenedmefromheeltocrown。Iflungmyheadbackandgavehercoolglanceforcoolglance，prideagainstpride。
Once，Iremember，adoctoronboardshipwhodabbledinhypnotismtoldmethatIwasthemostunsympatheticpersonhehadeverstruck。HesaidIwasaboutasgoodamesmericsubjectasTableMountain。SuddenlyIbegantorealizethatthiswomanwastryingtocastsomespelloverme。Theeyesgrewlargeandluminous，andIwasconsciousforjustaninstantofsomewillbattlingtosubjectmine。Iwasaware，too，inthesamemomentofastrangescentwhichrecalledthatwildhourinKuprasso’sgarden—house。Itpassedquickly，andforasecondhereyesdrooped。Iseemedtoreadinthemfailure，andyetakindofsatisfaction，too，asiftheyhadfoundmoreinmethantheyexpected。
’Whatlifehaveyouled？’thesoftvoicewassaying。
Iwasabletoanswerquitenaturally，rathertomysurprise。’I
havebeenaminingengineerupanddowntheworld。’
’Youhavefaceddangermanytimes？’
’Ihavefaceddanger。’
’Youhavefoughtwithmeninbattles？’
’Ihavefoughtinbattles。’
Herbosomroseandfellinakindofsigh。Asmile—averybeautifulthing—flittedoverherface。Shegavemeherhand。
’Thehorsesareatthedoornow，’shesaid，’andyourservantiswiththem。Oneofmypeoplewillguideyoutothecity。’
Sheturnedawayandpassedoutofthecircleoflightintothedarknessbeyond……
PeterandIjoggedhomeintherainwithoneofSandy’sskin—
cladCompanionslopingatourside。Wedidnotspeakaword，formythoughtswererunninglikehoundsonthetrackofthepasthours。IhadseenthemysteriousHildavonEinem，Ihadspokentoher，Ihadheldherhand。ShehadinsultedmewiththesubtlestofinsultsandyetIwasnotangry。SuddenlythegameIwasplayingbecameinvestedwithatremendoussolemnity。Myoldantagonists，StummandRastaandthewholeGermanEmpire，seemedtoshrinkintothebackground，leavingonlytheslimwomanwithherinscrutablesmileanddevouringeyes。’Madandbad，’Blenkironhadcalledher，’butprincipallybad。’Ididnotthinktheyweretheproperterms，fortheybelongedtothenarrowworldofourcommonexperience。Thiswassomethingbeyondandaboveit，asacycloneoranearthquakeisoutsidethedecentroutineofnature。Madandbadshemightbe，butshewasalsogreat。
Beforewearrivedourguidehadpluckedmykneeandspokensomewordswhichhehadobviouslygotbyheart。’TheMastersays，’ranthemessage，’expecthimatmidnight。’
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
AnEmbarrassedToiletIwassoakedtothebone，andwhilePetersetofftolookfordinnerI
wenttomyroomtochange。Ihadarubdownandthengotintopyjamasforsomedumb—bellexerciseswithtwochairs，forthatlongwetridehadstiffenedmyarmandshouldermuscles。Theywereavulgarsuitofprimitiveblue，whichBlenkironhadlootedfrommyLondonwardrobe。
AsCornelisBrandtIhadsportedaflannelnightgown。
Mybedroomopenedoffthesitting—room，andwhileIwasbusywithmygymnasticsIheardthedooropen。IthoughtatfirstitwasBlenkiron，butthebrisknessofthetreadwasunlikehismeasuredgait。Ihadleftthelightburningthere，andthevisitor，whoeverhewas，hadmadehimselfathome。Islippedonagreendressing—gownBlenkironhadlentme，andsalliedforthtoinvestigate。
MyfriendRastawasstandingbythetable，onwhichhehadlaidanenvelope。Helookedroundatmyentranceandsaluted。
’IcomefromtheMinisterofWar，sir，’hesaid，’andbringyouyourpassportsfortomorrow。Youwilltravelby……’Andthenhisvoicetailedawayandhisblackeyesnarrowedtoslits。Hehadseensomethingwhichswitchedhimoffthemetals。
AtthatmomentIsawittoo。Therewasamirroronthewallbehindhim，andasIfacedhimIcouldnothelpseeingmyreflection。
ItwastheexactimageoftheengineerontheDanubeboat—bluejeans，lodencloak，andall。TheaccursedmischanceofmycostumehadgivenhimthecluetoanidentitywhichwasotherwiseburieddeepintheBosporus。
IamboundtosayforRastathathewasamanofquickaction。
Inatricehehadwhippedroundtotheothersideofthetablebetweenmeandthedoor，wherehestoodregardingmewickedly。
BythistimeIwasatthetableandstretchedoutahandfortheenvelope。Myonehopewasnonchalance。
’Sitdown，sir，’Isaid，’andhaveadrink。It’safilthynighttomoveaboutin。’
’Thankyou，no，HerrBrandt，’hesaid。’Youmayburnthesepassportsfortheywillnotbeused。’
’Whatever’sthematterwithyou？’Icried。’You’vemistakenthehouse，mylad。I’mcalledHanau—RichardHanau—andmypartner’sMrJohnS。Blenkiron。He’llbeherepresently。NeverknewanyoneofthenameofBrandt，barringatobacconistinDenverCity。’
’YouhaveneverbeentoRustchuk？’hesaidwithasneer。
’NotthatIknowof。But，pardonme，Sir，ifIaskyournameandyourbusinesshere。I’mdarnedifI’maccustomedtobecalledbyDutchnamesorhavemyworddoubted。Inmycountryweconsiderthatimpoliteasbetweengentlemen。’
Icouldseethatmybluffwashavingitseffect。Hisstarebegantowaver，andwhenhenextspokeitwasinamoreciviltone。
’IwillaskpardonifI’mmistaken，Sir，butyou’retheimageofamanwhoaweekagowasatRustchuk，amanmuchwantedbytheImperialGovernment。’
’AweekagoIwastossinginadirtylittlehookercomingfromConstanza。UnlessRustchuk’sinthemiddleoftheBlackSeaI’venevervisitedthetownship。Iguessyou’rebarkingupthewrongtree。Cometothinkofit，Iwasexpectingpassports。Say，doyoucomefromEnverDamad？’
’Ihavethathonour，’hesaid。
’Well，Enverisaverygoodfriendofmine。He’sthebrightestcitizenI’vestruckthissideoftheAtlantic。’
Themanwascalmingdown，andinanotherminutehissuspicionswouldhavegone。Butatthatmoment，bythecrookedestkindofluck，Peterenteredwithatrayofdishes。HedidnotnoticeRasta，andwalkedstraighttothetableandplumpeddownhisburdenonit。TheTurkhadsteppedasideathisentrance，andIsawbythelookinhiseyesthathissuspicionshadbecomeacertainty。ForPeter，strippedtoshirtandbreeches，wastheidenticalshabbylittlecompanionoftheRustchukmeeting。
IhadneverdoubtedRasta’spluck。Hejumpedforthedoorandhadapistoloutinatricepointingatmyhead。
’_Bonne_fortune，’hecried。’Boththebirdsatoneshot。’Hishandwasonthelatch，andhismouthwasopentocry。Iguessedtherewasanorderlywaitingonthestairs。
Hehadwhatyoucallthestrategicadvantage，forhewasatthedoorwhileIwasattheotherendofthetableandPeteratthesideofitatleasttwoyardsfromhim。Theroadwasclearbeforehim，andneitherofuswasarmed。Imadeadespairingstepforward，notknowingwhatImeanttodo，forIsawnolight。ButPeterwasbeforeme。
Hehadneverletgoofthetray，andnow，asaboyskimsastoneonapond，heskimmeditwithitscontentsatRasta’shead。Themanwasopeningthedoorwithonehandwhilehekeptmecoveredwiththeother，andhegotthecontrivancefairlyintheface。A
pistolshotcrackedout，andthebulletwentthroughthetray，butthenoisewasdrownedinthecrashofglassesandcrockery。ThenextsecondPeterhadwrenchedthepistolfromRasta’shandandhadgrippedhisthroat。
AdandifiedYoungTurk，broughtupinParisandfinishedinBerlin，maybeasbraveasalion，buthecannotstandinarough—
and—tumbleagainstabackveldhunter，thoughmorethandoublehisage。Therewasnoneedformetohelphim。Peterhadhisownway，learnedinawildschool，ofknockingthesenseoutofafoe。Hegaggedhimscientifically，andtrussedhimupwithhisownbeltandtwostrapsfromatrunkinmybedroom。
’Thismanistoodangeroustoletgo，’hesaid，asifhisprocedurewerethemostordinarythingintheworld。’Hewillbequietnowtillwehavetimetomakeaplan。’
Atthatmomenttherecameaknockingatthedoor。Thatisthesortofthingthathappensinmelodrama，justwhenthevillainhasfinishedoffhisjobneatly。Thecorrectthingtodoistopaletotheteeth，andwitharolling，conscience—strickeneyeglareroundthehorizon。ButthatwasnotPeter’sway。
’We’dbettertidyupifwe’retohavevisitors，’
hesaidcalmly。
NowtherewasoneofthosebigoakGermancupboardsagainstthewallwhichmusthavebeenbroughtininsections，forcompleteitwouldneverhavegotthroughthedoor。Itwasemptynow，butforBlenkiron’shatbox。InithedepositedtheunconsciousRasta，andturnedthekey。’There’senoughventilationthroughthetop，’
heobserved，’tokeeptheairgood。’Thenheopenedthedoor。
Amagnificentkavassinblueandsilverstoodoutside。Hesalutedandprofferedacardonwhichwaswritteninpencil，’HildavonEinem’。
Iwouldhavebeggedfortimetochangemyclothes，buttheladywasbehindhim。Isawtheblackmantillaandtherichsablefurs。
PetervanishedthroughmybedroomandIwaslefttoreceivemyguestinaroomlitteredwithbrokenglassandasenselessmaninthecupboard。
Therearesomesituationssocrazilyextravagantthattheykeyupthespirittomeetthem。Iwasalmostlaughingwhenthatstatelyladysteppedovermythreshold。
’Madam，’Isaid，withabowthatshamedmyolddressing—gownandstridentpyjamas。’Youfindmeatadisadvantage。Icamehomesoakingfrommyride，andwasintheactofchanging。Myservanthasjustupsetatrayofcrockery，andIfearthisroom’snofitplaceforalady。Allowmethreeminutestomakemyselfpresentable。’
Sheinclinedherheadgravelyandtookaseatbythefire。Iwentintomybedroom，andasIexpectedfoundPeterlurkingbytheotherdoor。InahecticsentenceIbadehimgetRasta’sorderlyoutoftheplaceonanypretext，andtellhimhismasterwouldreturnlater。ThenIhurriedintodecentgarments，andcameouttofindmyvisitorinabrownstudy。
Atthesoundofmyentranceshestartedfromherdreamandstooduponthehearthrug，slippingthelongrobeoffurfromherslimbody。
’Wearealone？’shesaid。’Wewillnotbedisturbed？’
Thenaninspirationcametome。IrememberedthatFrauvonEinem，accordingtoBlenkiron，didnotseeeyetoeyewiththeYoungTurks;andIhadaqueerinstinctthatRastacouldnotbetoherliking。SoIspokethetruth。
’Imusttellyouthatthere’sanotherguestheretonight。Ireckonhe’sfeelingprettyuncomfortable。Atpresenthe’strusseduponashelfinthatcupboard。’
Shedidnottroubletolookround。
’Ishedead？’sheaskedcalmly。
’Bynomeans，’Isaid，’buthe’sfixedsohecan’tspeak，andI
guesshecan’thearmuch。’
’Hewasthemanwhobroughtyouthis？’sheasked，pointingtotheenvelopeonthetablewhichborethebigbluestampoftheMinistryofWar。
’Thesame，’Isaid。’I’mnotperfectlysureofhisname，butI
thinktheycallhimRasta。’
Notaflickerofasmilecrossedherface，butIhadafeelingthatthenewspleasedher。
第12章