MademoiselleIdiale，withtheaidofoneofthetwomaidswhoweretravelingwithher，wasabletomakeasufficientlyeffectivetoilette。Atafewminutesbeforethetimeforluncheon，shewalkeddownthecorridorandrecognizedVonBehrling，whowassittingwithhiscompanionsinoneofthecompartments。
　　"Ah，itisindeedyou，then！"sheexclaimed，smilingathim。
　　Herosetohisfeetandcameout。Tall，withafairmoustacheandblueeyes，hewasoftentakenforanEnglishmanandwasinclinedtobeproudofthefact。
　　"Youhaverestedwell，Itrust，Mademoiselle？"heasked，bowinglowoverherfingers。
　　"Excellently，"repliedLouise。"Willyounottakemeintoluncheon？
　　ThecarisfullofmenandIamnotcomfortablealone。Itisnotpleasant，either，toeatwithone'smaids。"
　　"Iamhonored，"hedeclared。"Willyoupermitmeforonemoment？"
　　Heturnedandspoketohiscompanions。Louisesawatoncethattheywereprotestingvigorously。Shesaw，too，thatVonBehrlingonlybecamemoreobstinateandthathewasverynearlyangry。Shemovedafewstepsondownthecorridor，andstoodlookingoutofthewindow。Hejoinedheralmostimmediately。
　　"Come，"hesaid，"theywillbeservingluncheoninfiveminutes。
　　Wewillgoandtakeagoodplace。"
　　"Yourfriends，Iamafraid，"sheremarked，"didnotlikeyourleavingthem。Theyarenotverygallant。"
　　"Tomeitisindifferent，"heanswered，fiercelytwirlinghismoustache。"Streussthereisanoldfool。Hehasalwayssomefancyinhisbrain。"
　　Louiseraisedhereyebrowsslightly。
　　"Youareyourownmaster，Isuppose，"shesaid。"TheBaronisusedtocommandhispolicemen，andsometimesheforgets。Therearemanypeoplewhofindhimtooautocratic。"
　　"Hemeanswell，"VonBehrlingasserted。"Itishismanneronlywhichisagainsthim。"
　　Theyfoundacomfortabletable，andshesatsmilingathimacrossthewhitecloth。
　　"IfthisisnotSachers，"shesaid，"itisatleastmorepleasantthanlunchingalone。"
　　"Icanassureyou，Mademoiselle，"hedeclared，withavigoroustwirlofhismoustache，"thatIfinditso。"
　　"Alwaysgallant，"shemurmured。"Tellme，isittrueofyou-thenewswhichIheardjustbeforeIleftVienna？HaveyoureallyresignedyourpostwiththeChancellor？"
　　"Youheardthat？"heaskedslowly。
　　Shehesitatedforamoment。
　　"Iheardsomethingofthesort，"sheadmitted。"Tobequitecandidwithyou，IthinkitwasreportedthattheChancellorwasmakingachangeonhisownaccount。"
　　"Sothatiswhattheysay，isit？Whatdotheyknowaboutit-thesegossipers？"
　　"Youwerenotallowedattheconferenceyesterday，"sheremarked。
　　"Noonewasallowedthere，sothatgoesfornothing。"
　　"Ah！well，"shesaid，lookingmeditativelyoutuponthelandscape，"ayearagothethoughtofthatconferencewouldhavedrivenmewild。IshouldnothavebeencontentuntilIhadlearnedsomehoworotherwhathadtranspired。Lately，Iamafraid，myinterestinmycountryseemstohavegrownatriflecold。PerhapsbecauseI
　　havelivedinViennaIhavelearnedtolookatthingsfromyourpointofview。Then，too，theworldisaselfishplace，andourownlittlecareersare，afterall，themostimportantpartofit。"
　　VonBehrlingeyedherCuriously。
　　"Itseemsstrangetohearyoutalklikethis，"heremarked。
　　Shelookedoutofthewindowforamoment。
　　"Oh！Istilllovemycountry，inaway，"sheanswered，"andIstillhateallAustrians，inaway，butitisnotasitusedtobewithme，Imustadmit。Ifwehadtwolives，Iwouldgiveonetomycountryandkeeponeformyself。Sincewehaveonlyone，Iamafraid，afterall，thatIamhuman，andIwanttotastesomeofitspleasures。"
　　"Someofitspleasures，"VonBehrlingrepeated，alittlegloomily。
　　"Ah，thatiseasyenoughforyou，Mademoiselle！"
　　"Notsoeasyasitmayappear，"sheanswered。"Oneneedsmanythingstogetthebestoutoflife。Oneneedswealthandoneneedslove，andoneneedsthemwhileoneisyoung，whileonecanenjoy。"
　　"Itistrue，"VonBehrlingadmitted，-"quitetrue。"
　　"Ifoneisnotcareful，"shecontinued，"oneletstheyearsslipby。
　　Theycannevercomeagain。Ifonedoesnotlivewhileoneisyoung，thereisnootherchance。"
　　VonBehrlingassentedwithrenewedgloom。Hewastwenty-fiveyearsold，andhisincomebarelypaidforhisuniforms。Oflate，thisfacthadmateriallyinterferedwithhisenjoyments。
　　"Itisstrange，"hesaid，"thatyoushouldtalklikethis。Youhavetheworldatyourfeet，Mademoiselle。Youhaveonlytothrowthehandkerchief。"
　　Herlipspartedinadazzlingsmile。Thebluesteyesintheworldgrewsofterastheylookedintohis。VonBehrlingfelthischeeksburn。
　　"Myfriend，itisnotsoeasy，"shemurmured。"Tellme，"shecontinued，"whyitisthatyouhavesolittleself-confidence。Isitbecauseyouarepoor？"
　　"Iamabeggar，"-bitterly。
　　Sheshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Well，"shesaid，glancingdownthemenuwhichthewaiterhadbrought，"ifyouarepoorandcontenttoremainso，onemustpresumethatyouhavecompensations。"
　　"ButIhavenone！"hedeclared。"Youshouldknowthat-you，Mademoiselle。Lifeformemeansonethingandonethingonly！"
　　Shelookedathim，foramoment，anddownuponthetablecloth。VonBehrlingshooklikeamaninthethroesofsomegreatpassion。
　　"Wetalktoointimately，"shewhispered，asthepeoplebegantofileintotaketheirplaces。"Afterluncheonwewilltakeourcoffeeinmycoupe。Then，ifyoulike，wewillspeakofthesematters。I
　　haveaheadache。Willyouordermesomechampagne？Itisaterriblething，Iknow，todrinkwineinthemorning，butwhenonetravels，whatcanonedo？Herecomeyourbodyguard。TheylookatmeasthoughIhadstolenyouaway。Rememberwetakeourcoffeetogetherafterwards。Iamboredwithsomuchtraveling，andIlooktoyoutoamuseme。"
　　VonBehrling'sjourneywas，afterall，markedwithsharpcontrasts。
　　Thekindnessofthewomanwhomheadoredwassufficientinitselftohavetransportedhimintoaseventhheaven。Ontheotherhand，hehadtroublewithhisfriends。StreussdrewhimononesideatOstend，andtalkedtohimplainly。
　　"VonBehrling，"hesaid，"IspeaktoyouonbehalfofKahnandmyself。Wineandwomenandpleasurearegoodthings。Wetwo，welovethem，perhaps，asyoudo，butthereisaplaceandatimeforthem，anditisnotnow。Ourmissionistooserious。"
　　"Well，well！"VonBehrlingexclaimedimpatiently，"whatisallthis？
　　WhatdoIdowrong？Whathaveyoutosayagainstme？IfItalkwithMademoiselleIdiale，itisbecauseitisthenaturalthingformetodo。Wouldyouhaveusthree-youandKahnandmyself-travelarminarmandspeakneverawordtoourfellowpassengers？Wouldyouhaveusproclaimtoalltheworldthatweareonasecretmission，carryingasecretdocument，toobtainwhichwehavealreadycommittedacrime？Theseareold-fashionedmethods，Streuss。Itisbetterthatwebehavelikeordinarymortals。Youtalkfoolishly，Streuss！"
　　"Itisyou，"theoldermandeclared，"whoplaythefool，andwewillnothaveit！MademoiselleIdialeisaServianandapatriot。Sheisthefriend，too，ofBellamy，theEnglishman。Sheandheweretogetherlastnight。"
　　"Bellamyisnotevenonthetrain，"VonBehrlingprotested。"HewentnorthtoBerlin。Thatitselfistheproofthattheyknownothing。Ifhehadhadthemerestsuspicion，doyounotthinkthathewouldhavestayedwithus？"
　　"Bellamyisveryclever，"Streussanswered。"Therearetoomanyofustodealwith，-heknewthat。MademoiselleIdialeisclever，too。Rememberthathalfthetroubleinlifehascomeaboutthroughfalsewomen。
　　"Whatisitthatyouwant？"VonBehrlingdemanded。
　　"Thatyoutraveltherestofthewaywithus，andspeaknomorewithMademoiselle。"
　　VonBehrlingdrewhimselfup。Afterall，itwashewhowasnoble；
　　Streusswaslittlemorethanapoliceman。
　　"Irefuse！"heexclaimed。"Letmeremindyou，Streuss，thatIaminchargeofthisexpedition。ItwasIwhoplannedit。ItwasI"-
　　hedroppedhisvoiceandtouchedhischest-"whostruckthefirstblowforitssuccess。Ithinkthatweneedtalknomore，"hewenton。"Iwelcomeyourcompanionship。Itmakesforstrengththatwetraveltogether。Butfortherest，theenterprisehasbeenmine，thesuccesssofarhasbeenmine，andtheterminationofitshallbemine。Watchme，ifyoulike。StaywithmeandseethatIamnotrobbed，ifyoufearthatIamnotabletotakecareofmyself，butdonotaskmetobehavelikeanidiot。"
　　VonBehrlingsteppedawayquickly。Thesirenwasalreadyblowingfromthesteamer。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　VONBEHRLINGISTEMPTED
　　Thenightwasdarkbutfine，andthecrossingsmooth。Louise，wrappedinfurs，abandonedherprivatecabindirectlytheyhadlefttheharbor，andhadachairplacedontheupperdeck。VonBehrlingfoundherthere，butnotbeforetheywerenearlyhalf-wayacross。
　　Shebeckonedhimtoherside。Hereyesglowedathimthroughthedarkness。
　　"Youarenotlookingafterme，myfriend，"shedeclared。"BymyselfIhadtofindthisplace。"
　　VonBehrlingwasruffled。Hewasalsohumblyapologetic。
　　"Itisthoseidiotswhoarewithme，"hesaid。"Allthetimetheyworry。"
　　Shelaughedanddrewhimdownsothatshecouldwhisperinhisear。
　　"Iknowwhatitis，"shesaid。"YouhavesecretswhichyouaretakingtoLondon，andtheyareafraidofmebecauseIamaServian。
　　Tellme，isitnotso？Perhaps，even，theythinkthatIamaspy。"
　　VonBehrlinghesitated。Shedrewhimclosertowardsher。
　　"Sitdownonthedeck，"shecontinued，"andleanagainsttherail。
　　Youaretoobigtotalktoupthere。So！Nowyoucancomeunderneathmyrug。Tellme，aretheyafraidofme，yourfriends？"
　　"Isitwithoutreason？"heasked。"Wouldnotanyonebeafraidofyou-if，indeed，theybelievedthatyouwishedtoknowoursecrets？
　　Iwonderifthereisamanalivewhomyoucouldnotturnroundyourlittlefinger。"
　　Shelaughedathimsoftly。
　　"Ah，no！"shesaid。"Menarenotlikethat，nowadays。Theytalkandtheytalk，butitisnotmuchtheywoulddoforawoman'ssake。"
　　"Youbelievethat？"heasked，inalowtone。
　　"Ido，indeed。Onereadslove-stories-no，Idonotmeanromances，butmemoirs-memoirsoftheFrenchandAustrianCourts-memoirs，even，writtenbyEnglishmen。Menweredifferentagenerationago。
　　Honorwasdeartothemthen，honorandpositionandwealth，andyetthereweremany，verymanythenwhowerewillingtogiveallthesethingsfortheloveofawoman。
　　"Anddoyouthinktherearenonenow？"hewhisperedhoarsely。
　　"Myfriend，"sheanswered，lookingdownathim，"Ithinkthatthereareveryfew。"
　　Sheheardhisbreathcomefastbetweenhisteeth，andsherealizedhisstateofexcitement。
　　"MademoiselleLouise，"hesaid，"myloveforyouhasmademealaughing-stockintheclubsofVienna。I-thepoverty-stricken，whohavenothingbutanoblename，nothingtoofferyou-havedaredtoshowotherswhatIthink，havedaredtoplaceyouinmyheartaboveallthewomenonearth。"
　　"Itisveryniceofyou，"shemurmured。"Whydoyoutellmethisnow？"
　　"Why，indeed？"heanswered。"WhathaveItohopefor？"
　　Shelookedalongthedeck。Notadozenyardsaway，twocigarendsburnedredthroughthegloom。SheknewverywellthatthosecigarendsbelongedtoStreussandhisfriend。Shelaughedsoftlyandoncemoreshebentherhead。
　　"Howtheywatchyou，thosemen！"shesaid。"Listen，myfriendRudolph。Supposingtheirfearsweretrue，supposingIwerereallyaspy，supposingIofferedyouwealthandwithitwhateverelseyoumightclaimfromme，forthesecretwhichyoucarrytoEngland！"
　　"HowdoyouknowthatIamcarryingasecret？"heaskedhoarsely。
　　Shelaughed。
　　"Myfriend，"shesaid，"withyourtwoabsurdcompanionsshadowingyouallthetimeandgloweringatme，howcouldonepossiblydoubtit？TheBaronStreussis，Ibelieve，theChiefofyourSecretServiceDepartment，ishenot？TomeheseemsthemostobviouspolicemanIeversawdressedasagentleman。"
　　"Youdon'tmeanit！"hemuttered。"Youcan'tmeanwhatyousaidjustnow！"
　　Shewassilentforafewmoments。Someonepassingstruckamatch，andshecaughtaglimpseofthewhitefaceofthemanwhosatbyherside-strainednowandcuriouslyintense。
　　"SupposingIdid！"
　　"Youmustbemad！"hedeclared。"Youmustnottalktomelikethis，Mademoiselle。Ihavenosecret。Itisyourhumor，Iknow，butitisdangerous。"
　　"Thereisnodanger，"shemurmured，"forwearealone。Isayagain，Rudolph，supposingthisweretrue？"
　　Hishandpassedacrosshisforehead。Shefanciedthathemadeamotionasthoughtorisetohisfeet，butshelaidherhanduponhis。
　　"Stayhere，"shewhispered。"No，Idonotwishtodriveyouaway。
　　Nowyouarehereyoushalllistentome。"
　　"Butyouarenotinearnest！"hefaltered。"Don'ttellmethatyouareinearnest。Itistreason。IamRudolphVonBehrling，SecretarytotheChancellor。"
　　Againsheleanedtowardshimsothathecouldseeintohereyes。
　　"Rudolph，"shesaid，"youareindeedRudolphVonBehrling，youareindeedtheChancellor'ssecretary。Whatdoyougainfromit？A
　　pittance！Manyhoursworkadayandapittance。Whathaveyoutolookforwardto？Alittleofficiallife，astupidofficialposition。
　　Rudolph，hereamI，andthereistheworld。DoInotrepresentotherthings？"
　　"Godknowsyoudo！"hemuttered。
　　"I，too，amwearyofsinging。Iwantalongrest-alongrestandabetternamethanmyown。Don'tshrinkawayfromme。Itisn'tsowonderful，afterall。Bellamy，theEnglishman，cametomeafewhoursago。HewasDorward'sfriend。HeknewwellwhatDorwardcarried。Itwasnothisaffair，hetoldme，andinterpositionfromhimwashopeless，butheknewthatyouandIwerefriends。"
　　"Youmuststop！"VonBehrlingdeclared。"Youmuststop！Imustnotlistentothis！"
　　"Heofferedmetwentythousandpounds，"shewenton，"forthepacketinyourpocket。Thinkofthat，myfriend。Itwouldbeastartinlife，woulditnot？Iamanextravagantwoman。EvenifIwould，I
　　darednotthinkofapoorman。Buttwentythousandpoundsissufficient。WhenIreachLondon，Iamgoingtoaflatwhichhasbeenwaitingformeforweeks-15，DoverStreet。IfyoubringthatpackettomeinsteadoftakingittotheAustrianEmbassy，therewillbetwentythousandpoundsand-"
　　Herfingerssuddenlyheldhis。Shecouldalmosthearhisheartbeating。Hereyes，bynowaccustomedtothegloom，couldseethetumultwhichwaspassingwithintheman，reflectedinhisface。
　　Shewhisperedawarningunderherbreath。Thetwocigarendshadmovednearer。Theformsofthetwomenwerenowdistinct。OnewasleaningoverthesideoftheshipbyVonBehrling'sside。Theotherstoodafewfeetaway，gazingatthelightsofDover。VonBehrlingstaggeredtohisfeet。HesaidsomethinginanangryundertonetoStreuss。Louiseroseandshookoutherfurs。
　　"Myfriend，"shesaid，turningtoVonBehrling，"ifyourfriendscanspareyousolong，willyoufetchoneofmymaids？Youwillfindthembothinmycabin，numberthree。Iwishtowalkforafewmomentsbeforewearrive。"
　　VonBehrlingturnedawaylikeamaninadream。MademoiselleIdialefollowedhimslowly，andbehindhercameVonBehrling'scompanions。
　　Thedetailsofthegreatsinger'sjourneyhadbeenmostcarefullyplannedbyanexcitedmanagerwhohadreceivedthetelegramannouncingherjourneytoLondon。TherewasanengagedcarriageatDover，intowhichshewasdulyescortedbyarepresentativeoftheOperaSyndicate，whohadbeensentdownfromLondontoreceiveher。
　　VonBehrlingseemedtobemissing。Shehadseennothingofhimsincehehaddescendedtosummonhermaids。Butjustasthetrainwasstarting，sheheardthesoundofangryvoices，andamomentlaterhiswhitefacewaspressedthroughtheopenwindowofthecarriage。
　　"Louise，"hemuttered，"Iamonfire！Icannottalktoyou！Ifearthattheysuspectsomething。TheyhavetoldmethatifItravelwithyoutheywillforcetheirwayin。Evennow，Streusscomes。
　　Listenforyourtelephoneto-nightorwheneverIcan。Imustthink-Imustthink！"
　　Hepassedon，andLouise，leaningbackinherseat，closedhereyes。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　"WEPLAYFORGREATSTAKES"
　　Bellamy，travel-stainedandweary，arrivedathisroomsattwoo'clockonthefollowingafternoontofindamongstapileofcorrespondenceapenciledmessageawaitinghiminahandwritingheknewwell。Hetoreopentheenvelope。
　　DAVIDDEAR，-IhavejustarrivedandIamsendingyouthesefewlinesatonce。AstowhatprogressIhavemade，Icannotsayforcertain，butthereisachance。Youhadbettergetthemoneyreadyandcometomehere。IfR。couldonlyescapefromStreussandthosewhowatchhimallthetime，Ishouldbequitesure，buttheyaresuspicious。WhatmayhappenIcannottell。IdomybestandIhavehatedit。Getthemoneyreadyandcometome。
　　LOUISE。
　　Bellamydrewalittlebreathandtorethenoteintopieces。Thenherangforhisservant。"Abathandsomecleanclothesquickly，"
　　heordered。"WhileIamchanging，ringupDowningStreetandseeifSirJamesisthere。Ifnot，findoutexactlywhereheis。I
　　mustseehimwithinhalfanhour。Afterwards，getmeataxicab。"
　　Themanobeyedwiththeswiftefficiencyofthethoroughlytrainedservant。Inratherlessthanthetimewhichhehadstated，Bellamyhadlefthisrooms。Beforefouro'clockhehadarrivedattheaddresswhichLouisehadgivenhim。Acommissionairetelephonedhisnametothefirstfloor，andinaveryfewmomentsapale-facedFrenchman-servant，insombreblacklivery，descendedandbowedtoBellamy。
　　"Monsieurwillbesogoodastocomethisway，"hedirected。
　　Bellamyfollowedhimintothelift，whichstoppedatthefirstfloor。Hewasusheredintoasmallboudoir，alreadysmotheredwithroses。
　　"Mademoisellewillbehereimmediately，"themanannounced。"SheisengagedwithagentlemanfromtheOpera，butshewillleavehimtoreceiveMonsieur。"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"PrayletMademoiselleunderstand，"hesaid，"thatIamentirelyatherservice。Mytimeisofnoconsequence。"
　　Themanbowedandwithdrew。Louisecametohimalmostdirectlyfromaninnerchamber。Shewaswearingaloosegown，butthefatigueofherjourneyseemedalreadytohavepassedaway。Hereyeswerebright，andafaintcolorglowedinhercheeks。
　　"David，"sheexclaimed，"thankHeaventhatyouarehere！"
　　Shetookbothhishandsandheldthemforamoment。Thenshewalkedtothedoor，madesurethatitwassecurelyfastened，andstoodtherelisteningforamoment。
　　"IsupposeIamfoolish，"shesaid，comingbacktohim，"andyetI
　　cannothelpfancyingthatIambeingwatchedoneverysidesincewelandedinEngland。Idetestmynewmanager，andIdon'ttrustanyoftheservantshehasengagedforme。Yougotmynote？"
　　"Yes，"heanswered，"Ihadyournote-andIamhere。"
　　Therestraintofhismannerwasobvious。Hewasstandingalittleawayfromher。Shecamesuddenlyuptohim，herhandsfelluponhisshoulders，herfacewasupturnedtohis。Eventhenhemadenomotiontoembraceher。
　　"David，"shewhisperedsoftly，"whatIamdoing-whatIhavedone-wasatyoursuggestion。Idoitforyou，Idoitformycountry，IdoitagainsteverynaturalfeelingIpossess。IhateandloathetheliesItell。Areyourememberingthat？Isitinyourheartatthismoment？"
　　Hestoopedandkissedher。
　　"Forgiveme，"hesaid，"itisIwhoamtoblame，butIamonlyhuman。
　　Weplayforgreatstakes，Louise，butsometimesoneforgets。"
　　"AsIlive，"shemurmured，"thekissyougavemelastisstilluponmylips。WhatIhavepromisedgoesfornothing。Whathehaspromisedisthis-thepapersto-night。"
　　"Unopened？"
　　"Unopened，"sherepeated，softly。
　　"Buthowisittobedone？"Bellamyasked。"HemusthavearrivedinLondonwhenyoudidlastnight。HowisittheyarenotalreadyattheEmbassy？"
　　"TheAmbassadorwascommandedtoCowes，"sheexplained。"Hecannotbebackuntillateto-night。Nooneelsehasakeytothetreatysafe，andVonBehrlingdeclinedtogiveupthedocumenttoanyonesavetheAmbassadorhimself。"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"WhataboutStreuss？"
　　"Streussandtheothersareallfurious，"Louisesaid。"Yet，afterall，Behrlinghasacertainmeasureofrightonhisside。HisordersweretoseewithhisowneyesthisenvelopedepositedinthesafebytheAmbassadorhimself。"
　　"Hereturnsto-night！"Bellamyexclaimedquickly。
　　Shenodded。
　　"Beforehecomes，"shedeclared，"Ithinkthatthedocumentwillbeinyourhands。"
　　"Howisittobedone？"
　　"Thereportiswritten，"sheexplained，"onfivepagesoffoolscap。
　　Theyarecontainedinalongenvelope，scaledwiththeChancellor'screst。VonBehrling，beingoneofthefamily，hasthesamecrest。
　　Hehaspreparedanotherenvelope，thesamesizeandweight，andsigneditwithhisseal。ItisthiswhichhewillhandovertotheAmbassadorifheshouldreturnunexpectedly。Therealonehehasconcealed。"
　　"Ishehere？"Bellamyinquired。
　　"ThankHeavens，no！"sheanswered。"MydearDavid，whatareyouthinkingof？Heisnothereandhedarenotcomehere。Youaretogotoyourrooms，"sheadded，glancingattheclock，"andbetweenfiveandsixo'clockthiseveningyouwillberunguponthetelephone。Arendezvouswillbegivenyouforlateronto-night。
　　Youmusttakethemoneythereandreceivethepacket。VonBehrlingwillbedisguisedandpreparedforflight。"
　　Bellamy'seyesglowed。
　　"Youbelievethis？"heexclaimed。
　　"Ibelieveit，"shereplied。"Heisgoingtodoit。Afterhehasseenyou，hewillmakehiswaytoPlymouth。Ihavepromised-don'tlookatme，David-Ihavepromisedtojoinhimthere。"
　　Bellamywasgrave。
　　"Therewillbetrouble，"hesaid。"Hewillcomeback。Hewillwanttoshootyou。Hemaybeslow-wittedinsomethings，butheispassionate。"
　　"AmIacoward？"sheasked，withascornfullaugh。"HaveIevershownfearofmylife？No，David！ItisnotthatofwhichIamafraid。Itisthememoryoftheman'stouch，itisthelookwhichwasinyourfacewhenyoucameintotheroom。ThesearethethingsIfear-notdeath。"
　　Bellamydrewherintohisarmsandkissedher。
　　"Forgiveme，"hebegged。"Atsuchtimesamanisaweakthing-aweakandselfishthing。Iamashamedofmyself。Ishouldhaveknownbetterthantohavedoubtedyouforamoment。Iknowyousowell，Louise。Iknowwhatyouare。"
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Dear，"shesaid，"youhavemademehappy。Andnowyoumustgoaway。
　　Rememberthatthesefewminutesareonlyaninterlude。OverhereI
　　amMademoiselleIdialewhosingsto-nightatCoventGarden。Seemyroses。Therearetworoomsfullofreportersandphotographersintheplacenow。Theleaderoftheorchestraisinmybedroom，andtwoofthedirectorsaredrinkingwhiskiesandsodaswiththisnewmanagerofmineinthedining-room。Betweenfiveandsixo'clockthisafternoonyouwillgetthemessage。Itissomewhere，Ithink，inthecitythatyouwillhavetogo。Therewillbenotroubleaboutthemoney？Nothingbutnotesorgoldwillbeofanyuse。"
　　"Ihaveitinmypocket，"heanswered。"Ihaveitinnotes，butheneedneverfearthattheywillbetraced。ThenumbersofnotesgivenforSecretServicepurposesareexpungedfromeveryone'smemory。"
　　Shedrewalittlesigh。
　　"Itisagreatsum，"shesaid。"Afterall，heshouldbegratefultome。IfonlyhewouldbesensibleandgetawaytotheUnitedStatesortoSouthAmerica！Hecouldlivetherelikeaprince，poorfellow。Hewouldbefarhappier。"
　　"Ionlyhopethathewillgo，"Bellamyagreed。"Thereisonethingtoberemembered。Ifhedoesnotgo，ifhestaysfortwenty-fourhoursinthiscountry，Idonotbelievethathewilllivetodoyouharm。Themenwhoarewithhimarenotthesorttostopshortattrifles。BesidesStreussandKahn，theyhavearegulararmyofspiesattheirbiddinghere。Iftheyfindoutthathehastrickedthem，theywillhunthimdown，andbeforelong。"
　　Louiseshivered。
　　"Oh，Ihope，"sheexclaimed，"thathegetsaway！Heisatraitor，ofcourse，butheisatraitortoahatefulcause，and，afterall，Ithinkitislessforthemoneythanformysakethathedoesit。
　　Thatsoundsveryconceited，Isuppose，"sheadded，withafaintsmile。"Ah！well，yousee，forfiveyearssomanyhavebeentryingtoturnmyhead。NowonderifIbegintobelievesomeoftheirstories。David，Imustgo。ImustnotkeepDr。Henschellwaitinganylonger。"
　　"To-morrow，"hesaid，"to-morrowearlyIshallcome。IamafraidIshallmissyourfirstappearanceinEngland，Louise。"
　　Thesoundofaviolincamefloatingoutfromtheinnerroom。
　　"Thatismysignal，"shedeclaredsmiling。"De。HenschellwasalmostbesidehimselfthatIcameaway。Icome，Doctor，"shecalledout。"David，goodfortune！"sheadded，givinghimherhands。"Nowgo，dear。"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEHANDOFMISFORTUNE
　　Betweenthetwomen，seatedoppositeeachotherinthelargebutsomewhatbarelyfurnishedoffice，theradicaldifferences，bothinappearanceandmannerisms，perhaps，also，indisposition，hadneverbeenmorestronglyevident。Theywerepartnersinbusinessandfacetofacewithruin。StephenLaverick，seniormemberofthefirm，althoughanairofsteadfastgloomhadsettleduponhisclean-cut，powerfulcountenance，retainedevenindespairsomethingofthatdoggedcomposure，temperamentalandwhollyBritish，whichhadservedhimwellalongtheroadtofortune。ArthurMorrison，themanwhosatontheothersideofthetable，aJewtohisfinger-tipsnotwithstandinghisalteredname，satlikeabrokenthing，withtearsinhisterrifiedeyes，disorderedhair，andparchment-paleface。Wordshadflownfromhislipsinacontinualstream。Heflounderedinhismisery，sobbedaboutitlikeachild。Thehandofmisfortunehadstrippedhimnaked，andoneman，atleast，sawhimashereallywas。
　　"Ican'tstandit，Laverick，-Icouldn'tfacethemall。It'stoocruel-toohorrible！Eighteenthousandpoundsgoneinoneweek，fortythousandinamonth！Fortythousandpounds！Oh，myGod！"
　　Hewrithedinagony。Themanontheothersideofthetablesaidnothing。
　　"Ifwecouldonlyhaveheldonalittlelonger！'Unions'mustturn！
　　Theywillturn！Laverick，haveyoutriedallyourfriends？Think！
　　Haveyoutriedthemall？Twentythousandpoundswouldseeusthroughit。Weshouldgetourownmoneyback-Iamsureofit。There'sRendell，Laverick。He'ddoanythingforyou。You'realwaysshootingorplayingcricketwithhim。Haveyouaskedhim，Laverick？He'dnevermissthemoney。"
　　"YouandIseethingsdifferently，Morrison，"Laverickanswered。
　　"Nothingwouldinducemetoborrowmoneyfromafriend。"
　　"Butatatimelikethis，"Morrisonpleadedpassionately。"Everyonedoesitsometimes。He'dbegladtohelpyou。Iknowhewould。
　　Haveyoueverthoughtwhatitwillbelike，Laverick，tobehammered？"
　　"Ihave，"Laverickadmittedwearily。"Godknowsitseemsasterribleathingtomeasitcantoyou！Butifwegodown，wemustgodownwithcleanhands。I'venofaithinyourinfernalmarket，andnotonepennywillIborrowfromafriend。"
　　TheJew'sfacewasalmostpiteous。Hestretchedhimselfacrossthetable。Thereweregenuinetearsinhiseyes。
　　"Laverick，"hesaid，"oldman，you'rewrong。IknowyouthinkI'vebeenledaway。I'vetakenyououtofourdepth，buttheonlytroublehasbeenthatwehaven'thadenoughcapital，andnobacking。
　　Thosewhostandupwillwin。Theywillmakemoney。"
　　"Unfortunately，"Laverickremarked，"wecannotstandup。PleaseunderstandthatIwillnotdiscussthismatterwithyouinanyway。
　　IwillnotborrowmoneyfromRendelloranyfriend。IhaveaskedthebankandIhaveaskedPages，whowillbeourlargestcreditors。
　　Tohelpuswouldsimplybeabusinessproposition，sofarastheyareconcerned。Asyouknow，theyhaverefused。Ifyouseeanyhopeinthatdirection，whydon'tyoutrysomeofyourownfriends？ForeveryonemanIknowintheHouse，youhaveseemedtobebosomfriendswithatleasttwenty。"
　　Morrisongroaned。
　　"ThoseIknowarenotthatsortoffriend，"heanswered。"Theywilldrinkwithyouandspendanightoutoraweek-endatBrighton，buttheydonotlendmoney。Iftheywould，doyouthinkIwouldmindasking？Why，Iwouldgoonmykneestoanymanwhowouldlendusthemoney。Iwouldevenkisshisfeet。Icannotbearit，Laverick！
　　Icannot！Icannot！"
　　Lavericksaidnothing。Wordswereuselessthings，wasteduponsuchacreature。Heeyedhispartnerwithacontemptwhichhetooknopainstoconceal。This，then，wasthesmartyoungfellowrecommendedtohimonallsides，afewyearsago，asoneoftheshrewdestyoungmeninhisownparticulardepartment，apersonboundtosucceed，amoney-makerifevertherewasone！Laverickthoughtofhimasheappearedattheofficedaybyday，glossyandimmaculatelydressed，withaflowerinhisbuttonhole，bootsthatwereatrifletooshiny，hatandcoat，glovesandmanner，allimitationbutallveryneartherealthing。Whatacollapse！
　　"You'regoingtostayandseeitthrough？"hewhinedacrossthetable。
　　"Certainly，"Laverickanswered。
　　Theyoungmanburiedhisfaceinhishands。
　　"Ican't！Ican't！"hemoaned。"Icouldn'tbearseeingallthefellows，hearingthemwhisperthings-oh，Lord！Oh，Lord！……
　　Laverick，we'veafewhundredsleft。Givemesomethingandletmeoutofit。You'reastrongersortofmanthanIam。Youcanfaceit，-Ican't！Givemeenoughtogetabroadwith，andifeverI
　　doanygoodI'llrememberit，Iwillindeed。"
　　Laverickwassilentforamoment。Hiscompanionwatchedhisfaceeagerly。Afterall，whynotlethimgo？Hewasnohelp，nocomfort。
　　Theverysightofhimwascontemptible。
　　"Ihavepaidnomoneyintothebankforseveraldays，"Lavericksaidslowly。"Whentheyrefusedtohelpus，itwas，ofcourse，obviousthattheyguessedhowthingswere。"
　　"Quiteright，quiteright！"theyoungmaninterruptedfeverishly。
　　"Theywouldhavestucktoitagainsttheoverdraft。Howmuchhavewegotinthesafe？"
　　"Thisafternoon，"Laverickcontinued，"Ichangedallourcheques。
　　Youcancounttheproceedsforyourself。Thereare，Ithink，elevenhundredpounds。Youcantaketwohundredandfifty，andyoucantakethemwithyou-toanyplaceyoulike。"
　　Theyoungmanwasalreadyatthesafe。Thenoteswerebetweenthem，onthetable。Hecountedquicklywiththefingersofabornmanipulatorofmoney。Whenhehadgathereduptwohundredandfiftypounds，Laverick'shandfelluponhis。
　　"Nomore，"heorderedsternly。
　　"But，mydearfellow，"Morrisonprotested，"halfofelevenhundredisfivehundredandfifty。Whyshouldwenotgohalves？Thatisonlyfair，Laverick。Itislittleenough。Weoughttohavehadagreatdealmore。"
　　Laverickpushedhimcontemptuouslyawayandlockeduptheremainderofthenotes。
　　"Iamlettingyoutaketwohundredandfiftypoundsofthismoney，"
　　hesaid，"forvariousreasons。Forone，Icanbearthisthingbetteralone。Asfortherestofthemoney，itremainstherefortheaccountantwholiquidatesouraffairs。Idonotproposetotouchapennyofit。"
　　Theyoungmanbuttoneduphiscoatwithanhystericallittlelaugh。
　　Suchwayswerenothisways。Theywerenot，indeed，withinthelimitofhisunderstanding。Butofhispartnerhehadlearnedonething，atleast。ThewordofStephenLaverickwasthewordoftruth。
　　Heshambledtowardthedoor。Onthewhole，hewasluckytohavegotthetwohundredandfiftypounds。
　　"Solong，Laverick，"hesaidfromthedoor。"I'm-I'msorry。"
　　Itwascharacteristicofhimthathedidnotventuretoofferhishand。Lavericknodded，notunkindly。Afterall，thisyoungmanwasashehadbeenmade。
　　"Iwishyougoodluck，Morrison，"hesaid。"TrySouthAfrica。"
　　CHAPTERIX
　　ROBBINGTHEDEAD
　　Theroarofthedaywaslongsinceover。Therattleofvehicles，thetinklingofhansombells，thetootingofhornsfrommotor-carsandcabs，theceaselesstrampoffootsteps，allhaddiedaway。
　　Outside，thestreetswerealmostdeserted。Anoccasionalwayfarerpassedalongtheflaggedpavementwithspeedyfootsteps。Hereandthereafewlightsglimmeredatthewindowsofsomeofthelargerblocksofoffices。Thebustleofthedaywasfinished。ThereisnoplaceinLondonsostrangelyquietasthenarrowthoroughfaresofthecityproperwhenthehourapproachesmidnight。
　　Laverick，whosincehispartner'sdeparturehadbeenstudyingwithinfinitecarehisprivateledger，closeditatlastwithalittlesnapandleanedbackinhischair。Afterall，savethathehadgotridofMorrison，ithadbeenawastedevening。Notevenhe，whosefinancialastutenessnomanhadeverquestioned，couldraisefromthosepilesoffiguresanyotheranswersavetheoneinevitableone，theknowledgeofwhichhadbeenlikeablacknightmarestalkingbyhissideforthelastthirty-sixhours。Onebyoneduringtheeveninghisclerkshadlefthim，anditwasaproofnotonlyofhiswonderfulself-controlbutalsooftheconfidencewhichheinvariablyinspired，thatnotasingleoneofthemhadtheslightestideahowthingswere。NotasoulknewthatthefirmofLaverick&Morrisonwasalreadypracticallyderelict，thattheyhadonthemorrowtwenty-fivethousandpoundstofind，neithercreditnorbalanceattheirbankers，andeighthundredandfiftypoundsinthesafe。
　　Laverick，haggardfromhislongvigil，lockeduphisbooksatlast，turnedoutthelights，andlockingthedoorsbehindhimwalkedintothesilentstreet。Instinctivelyheturnedhisstepswestwards。
　　Thismightwellbethelastnightonwhichhewouldcaretoshowhimselfinhisaccustomedhaunts，thelastnightonwhichhecouldmixwithhisfellowsfreely，andwithoutthatterriblesenseofconsciousnesswhichfollowsupondisaster。Alreadytherewaslittleenoughleftofit。Itwastoolatetochangeandgotohisclub。
　　Theplacesofamusementwerealreadyclosed。To-morrownight，bothclubandtheatreswouldlieoutsidehisworld。Hewalkedslowly，yethehadscarcelytaken，infact，adozenstepswhen，withapurelymechanicalimpulse，hepausedbyastone-flaggedentrytolightacigarette。Itwasapassage，almostatunnelforafewyards，leadingtoanopenspace，ononesideofwhichwasanoldchurchyard-strangesurvivalinsuchapart-andontheothertheofficesofseveralfirmsofstockbrokers，aRussianbanker，anactuary。Itwasthebarestofimpulseswhichledhimtoglanceuptheentrybeforeheblewoutthematch。Thenhegaveaquickstartandbecameforamomentparalyzed。Withinafewfeetofhimsomethingwaslyingontheground-adarkmass，blackandsoft-
　　thebodyofaman，perhaps。Justaboveit，apairofeyesgleamedathimthroughthe，semi-darkness。
　　Laverickatfirsthadnothoughtoftragedy。Itmightbeatramporadrunkard，perhaps，-afight，oramantakenill。Thensomethingsinisteraboutthelightofthoseburningeyessethisheartbeatingfaster。Hestruckanothermatchwithfirmfingers，andbentforward。Whathesawuponthegroundmadehimfeelalittlesick。Whathesawracingawaydownthepassagepromptedhimtoswiftpursuit。Downthearchedcourtintotheopenspaceheran，himselfanathlete，butmockedbytheswiftnessoftheshadowlikeformwhichhepursued。Attheendwasanotherstreet-empty。Helookedupanddown，seekinginvainforanysignsoflife。Therewasnothingtotellhimwhichwaytoturn。Oppositewasaverylabyrinthofcourtsandturnings。Therewasnoteventhesoundofafootfalltoguidehim。Slowlyheretracedhissteps，litanothermatch，andleanedovertheprostratefigure。Thenheknewthatitwasatragedyindeeduponwhichhehadstumbled。
　　Themanwasdead，andhehadmetwithhisdeathbyunusualmeans。
　　ThesewerethefirsttwothingsofwhichLaverickassuredhimself。
　　Withoutanydoubt，asavageandaterriblecrimehadbeencommitted。
　　Ahornhandledknifeofunusuallengthhadbeendrivenuptothehiltthroughtheheartofthemurderedman。Therehadbeenotherblows，notablyaboutthehead。Therewasnotmuchblood，butthepositionoftheknifealonetolditsuglystory。Laverick，thoughhisnerveswereofthestrongest，felthisheadswimashelooked。Herosetohisfeetandwalkedtotheopeningofthepassage，gasping。Thestreetwasnolongerempty。
　　Aboutthirtyyardsaway，lookingwestwards，amanwasstandinginthemiddleoftheroad。Thelightfromthelamp-postescapedhisface。Laverickcouldonlyseethathewasslim，ofmediumheight，dressedindarkclothes，withhishandsinthepocketsofhisovercoat。Toallappearance，hewaswatchingtheentry。Lavericktookasteptowardshim-themanasdeliberatelytookastepfurtheraway。Laverickhelduphishand。
　　"Hullo！"hecalledout，andbeckoned。
　　Thepersonaddressedtooknonotice。Laverickadvancedanothertwoorthreesteps-themanretreatedasimilardistance。Laverickchangedhistacticsandmadeasuddenspringforward。Themanhesitatednolonger-heturnedandranasthoughforhislife。Inafewminuteshewasroundthecornerofthestreetandoutofsight。
　　Laverickreturnedslowlytotheentry。
　　Adistantclockstruckmidnight。Acoupleofclerkscamealongthepavementontheotherside，theirhandsandarmsfullofletters。
　　Laverickhesitated。Hewasneverafterwardsabletoaccountfortheimpulsewhichpreventedhiscallingouttothem。Insteadhelurkedintheshadowsandwatchedthemgoby。Whenhewassurethattheyhaddisappeared，hebentoncemoreoverthebodyofthemurderedman。Alreadythathuddled-upheapwasbeginningtoexerciseanamelessandterriblefascinationforhim。Hisfirstfeelingsofhorrorwereminglednowwithaninsatiablecuriosity。Whatmannerofmanwashe？Hewastallandstronglybuilt；fair-ofalmostfloridcomplexion。Hisclotheswereveryshabbyandapparentlyready-made。Hismoustachewasupturned，andhishairwastrimmedcloserthanisthecustomamongstEnglishmen。Laverickstoopedlowerandloweruntilhefoundhimselfalmostonhisknees。Therewassomethingprojectingfromtheman'spocketasthoughithadbeenhalfsnatchedout-alargeportfolioofbrownleather，almostthesizeofasatchel。Laverickdrewitout，holdingitinonehandwhilstwithfirmfingershestruckanothermatch。Then，forthefirsttime，alittlecrybrokefromhislips。Bothsidesofthepocket-bookwerefilledwithbank-notes。Ashismatchflickeredout，hecaughtaglimpseofthefiguresintheleft-handcorner-
　　500pounds！-greatrollsofthem！Laverickrosegaspingtohisfeet。ItwasanewArabianNights，this！-adream！-acontinuationofthenightmarewhichhadthreatenedhimallday！
　　Orwasit，perhaps，themadnesscoming-themadnesswhichhehadbegunonlyanhourorsoagotofear！
　　Hewalkedintothegaslitstreetsandlookedupanddown。Themysteriousstrangerhadvanished。Therewasnotasoulinsight。
　　Heclutchedtheroughstonewallwithhishands，hekickedthepavementwithhisheels。Therewasnodoubtaboutit-everythingaroundhimwasreal。Mostrealofallwasthefactthatwithinafewfeetofhimlayamurderedman，andthatinhishandswasthatbrownleatherpocket-bookwithitsmiraculouscontents。ForthelasttimeLaverickretracedhisstepsandbentoverthathuddled-upshape。Onebyonehewentthroughtheotherpockets。TherewasapacketofRussiancigarettes；anemptycard-caseofchasedsilver，andobviouslyofforeignworkmanship；acigaretteholderstainedwithmuchuse，butofthefinestamber，withrichgoldmountings。
　　Therewasnothingelseuponthedeadman，nomeansofidentificationofanysort。Laverickstoodup，giddy，halfterrifiedwiththethoughtsthatwenttearingthroughhisbrain。Thepocket-bookbegantoburnhishand；hefelttheperspirationbreakingoutanewuponhisforehead。Yetheneverhesitated。Hewalkedlikeamaninadream，buthisfootstepsweresteadyandshort。Deliberately，andwithoutanysignofhurry，hemadehiswaytowardshisoffices。Ifapolicemanhadcomeinsightupordownthestreet，hehaddecidedtocallhimandtoacquainthimwithwhathadhappened。Itwastheonechanceheheldagainsthimself，-thegambler'smethodofdecision，perhaps，unconsciouslyarrivedat。Asitturnedout，therewasstillnotasoulinsight。Laverickopenedtheouterdoorwithhislatchkey，lethimselfinandclosedit。Thenhegropedhiswaythroughtheclerk'sofficeintohisownroom，switchedontheelectriclightandoncemoresatdownbeforehisdesk。
　　Hedrewhisshadedwritinglamptowardshimandlookedaroundwithanervousnesswhollyunfamiliar。Thenheopenedthepocket-book，drewouttherollofbank-notesandcountedthem。Itwascuriousthathefeltnosurpriseattheirvalue。Bank-notesforfivehundredpoundsarenotexactlycommon，andyetheproceededwithhistaskwithouttheslightestinstinctofsurprise。Thenheleanedbackinhischair。TwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes！
　　Theretheylayonthetablebeforehim。Amanhaddiedfortheirsake，-anothermustgothroughallthedayswiththepriceofblooduponhishead-amurderer-ahauntedcreaturefortherestofhislife。Andthereonthetablewerethespoils。Lavericktriedtothinkthematteroutdispassionately。Hewasamanofaveragemoralfibre-thatistosay，hewashonestinhisdealingswithothermenbecausehisfatherandhisgrandfatherbeforehimhadbeenhonest，andbecausethepenaltyfordishonestywasshameful。Here，however，hewasfacetofacewithanaltogetherunusualproblem。
　　Thesenotesbelonged，withoutadoubt，tothedeadman。Saveforhisowninterference，theywouldhavebeeninthehandsofhismurderer。Theuseofthemforafewdayscoulddonooneanyharm。
　　Suchriskastherewashetookhimself。Thatitwasariskheknewandfullyrealized。Laverickhadsatinhisplaceunmovedwhenhispartnerhadpouredouthiswailoffearandmisery。YetofthetwomenitwasprobablethatLaverickhimselfhadfelttheirpositionthemorekeenly。Hewasamanofsomesocialstanding，withalargecircleoffriends；asportsman，andwithmanyinterestsoutsidethedailyroutineofhiscitylife。Tohimfailuremeantmorethanthelossofmoney；itwouldrobhimofeverythinginlifeworthhaving。Thedaystocomehadbeenemptiedofallpromise。
　　Hehadheldhimselfstubbornlybecausehewasaman，becausehehadstrengthenoughtorefusetolethisminddwellupontheindignitiesandhumiliationtocome。Andherebeforehimwaspossiblesalvation。
　　Therewasapricetobepaid，ofcourse，arisktoberuninmakinguseevenforanhourofthismoney。Yetfromthefirsthehadknownthathemeanttodoit。
　　Quitecoolnow，heopenedhisprivatesafe，thrustthepocket-bookintooneofthedrawers，andlockeditup。Thenhelitacigarette，finallyshutuptheofficeandwalkeddownthestreet。Ashepassedtheentryheturnedhisheadslowly。Apparentlynoonehadbeenthere，nothinghadbeendisturbed。Straininghiseyesthroughthedarkness，hecouldevenseethatdarkshapestilllyinghuddledupontheground。Thenhewalkedon。Hehadburnedhisboatsnowandwaspreparedforallemergencies。Atthecornerhemetapoliceman，towhomhewishedacheerygood-night。Hetoldhimselfthatthethingwhichhehaddonewasforthebest。Heowedittohimself。
　　Heowedittothosewhohadtrustedhim。Afterall，itwasthechiefpartofhislife-hiscitycareer。Itwasherethathisfriendslived。Itwasherethathisambitionsflourished。Disgraceherewaseternaldisgrace。Hisfatherandhisgrandfatherbeforehimhadbeenmenhonoredandrespectedinthissamecircle。Disgracetohim，suchdisgraceasthatwithwhichhehadstoodfacetofaceafewhoursago，wouldhavebeen，inacertainsense，areflectionupontheirmemories。Thenamesuponthebrassplatestorightandtoleftofhimwerethenamesofmenheknew，menwithwhomhedesiredtostandwell，whosefriendshiporcontemptmadelifeworthlivingorthereverse。Itwasworthagreatrisk-thiseffortofhistokeephisplace。Hisonemistake-thisassociationwithMorrison-hadbeensuchanunparalleledstrokeofbadluck。Hewasridofthefellownow。Forthefuturethereshouldbenomorepartners。Hehadhislifetolive。Itwasnotreasonablethatheshouldallowhimselftobedraggeddownintothemirebysuchacreature。HefoundanemptytaxicabatthecornerofQueenVictoriaStreet，andhailedit。
　　"WhitehallCourt，"hetoldthedriver。
　　CHAPTERX
　　BELLAMYISOUTWITTED
　　Bellamywasamanusedtoallhazards，whosesupremeeffortoflifeitwastomeetsuccessanddisasterwithunvaryingmien。Butthiswasdisastertooappallingevenforhisself-control。Hefelthiskneesshakesothathecaughtattheedgeofthetablebeforewhichhewasstanding。Therewasnopossibledoubtaboutit，hehadbeentricked。VonBehrling，afterall，-VonBehrling，whomhehadlookeduponmerelyasastupid，infatuatedAustrian，readytosellhiscountryforthesakeofawoman，hadfooledhimutterly！
　　Themanwhosatattheheadofthetable-theonlyotheroccupantoftheroom-wasinCourtdress，withmanyordersuponhiscoat。
　　HehadjustbeenattendingaCourtfunction，fromwhichBellamy'smessagehadsummonedhim。Beforehimonthetablewasanenvelope，hastilytornopen，andseveralsheetsofblankpaper。ItwasuponthesethatBellamy'seyeswerefixedwithanexpressionofmingledhorrorandamazement。TheCabinetMinisterhadalreadypushedthemawaywithalittlegestureofcontempt。
　　"Bellamy，"hesaidgravely，"itisnotlikeyoutomakesoseriousanerror。
　　"Ihopenot，sir，"Bellamyanswered。"I-yes，Ihavebeendeceived。"
　　TheMinisterglancedattheclock。
　　"Whatistobedone？"heasked。
　　Bellamy，withaneffort，pulledhimselftogether。Hecaughtuptheenvelope，lookedoncemoreinside，helduptheblanksheetsofpapertothelampandlaidthemdown。Thenwithclenchedfistshewalkedtotheothersideoftheroomandreturned。Hewashimselfagain。
　　"SirJames，IwillnotwasteyourtimebysayingthatIamsorry。
　　OnlyanhouragoImetVonBehrlinginalittlerestaurantinthecity，andgavehimtwentythousandpoundsforthatenvelope。"
　　"Youpaidhimthemoney，"theMinisterremarkedslowly，"withoutopeningtheenvelope。"
　　Bellamyadmittedit。
　　"Insuchtransactionsasthese，"hedeclared，"greatrisksarealmostinevitable。Itookwhatmustseemtoyounowtobeanabsurdrisk。Totellyouthehonesttruth，sir，andIhavehadexperienceinthesethings，IthoughtitnoriskatallwhenIhandedoverthemoney。VonBehrlingwasthereindisguise。Themenwithwhomhecametothiscountryarefuriouswithhim。Toallappearance，heseemedtohavebrokenwiththemabsolutely。Evennow-
　　"Well？"
　　"Evennow，"Bellamysaidslowly，withhiseyesfixeduponthewalloftheroom，andadawninglightgrowingstrongereverymomentinhisface，"evennowIbelievethatVonBehrlingmadeamistake。AnenvelopesuchasthishadbeenarrangedforhimtoshowtheothersorleaveattheAustrianEmbassyincaseofemergency。Hehaditwithhiminhispocket-book。Heeventoldmeso。GodinHeaven，hegavemethewrongone！"
　　TheMinisterglancedoncemoreattheclock。
　　"Inthatcase，"hesaid，"perhapshewouldnotgototheEmbassyto-night，especiallyifhewasindisguise。Youmaystillbeabletofindhimandrepairtheerror。
　　"Iwilltry，"answeredBellamy。"ThankHeaven！"headded，withasuddengleamofsatisfaction，"mywatchersarestilldogginghisfootsteps。Icanfindoutbeforemorningwherehewentwhenheleftourrendezvous。Thereisanotherway，too。Mademoiselle-
　　thismanVonBehrlingbelievedthatshewasleavingthecountrywithhim。Shewastohavehadamessagewithinthenextfewhours。
　　TheMinisternoddedthoughtfully。
　　"Bellamy，Ihavebeenyourfriendandyouhavedoneusgoodserviceoften。TheSecretServiceestimates，asyouknow，areabovesupervision，buttwentythousandpoundsisagreatdealofmoneytohavepaidforthis。"
　　Hetouchedthesheetsofblankpaperwithhisforefinger。Bellamy'steethwereclenched。
　　"Themoneyshallbereturned，sir。
　　"Donotmisunderstandme，"SirJameswenton，speakingalittlemorekindly。"Themoney，afterall，incomparisonwithwhatitwasdestinedtopurchase，isnothing。Wemightevencountitafairriskifitwaslost。"
　　"Itshallnotbelost，"Bellamypromised。"IfVonBehrlinghasplayedthetraitortous，thenhewillgobacktohiscountry。Inthatcase，Iwillhavethemoneyfromhimwithoutadoubt。If，ontheotherhand，hewashonesttousandatraitortohiscountry，asIfirmlybelieve，itmaynotyetbetoolate。"
　　"Letushopenot，"SirJamesdeclared。"Bellamy，"hecontinued，anoteofagitationtremblinginhistone，"Ineednottellyou，I
　　amsure，howimportantthismatteris。Youworklikeamoleinthedark，yetyouhavebrains，-youunderstand。Letmetellyouhowthingsarewithus。Acertainamountofconfidenceisduetoyou，iftoanyone。ImaytellyouthatattheCabinetCouncilto-dayaveryserioustoneprevailed。WedonotunderstandintheleasttheattitudeofseveraloftheEuropeanPowers。Itcanbeunderstoodonlyundercertainassumptions。AnoteofourssentthroughtheAmbassadortoViennahasremainedunansweredfortwodays。TheGermanAmbassadorhasleftunexpectedlyforBerlinonurgentbusiness。Wehavejustheard，too，thatasecretmissionfromRussialeftSt。PetersburglastnightforParis。Sidebysidewithallthis，"SirJamescontinued，"theCzaristryingtoevadehispromisedvisithere。Thenotewehavereceivedspeaksofhishealth。Well，weknowallaboutthat。Weknow，Imaytellyou，thathishealthhasneverbeenbetterthanatthepresentmoment。"
　　"Itallmeansonethingandonethingonly，"Bellamyaffirmed。"InViennaandBerlinto-daytheylookatanEnglishmanandsmile。Eventhemaninthestreetseemstoknowwhatiscoming。"
　　SirJamesleanedalittlebackinhisseat。Hishandsweretightlyclenched，andtherewasafiercelightinhisholloweyes。Thosewhowereintimatewithhimknewthathehadagedmanyyearsduringthelastfewweeks。
　　"Thecruelpartis，"hesaidsoftly，"thatitshouldhavecomeinmyadministration，whenfortenyearsIhaveprayedfromtheOppositionbenchesfortheonethingwhichwouldhavemadeussafeto-day。"
　　"Anarmy，"murmuredBellamy。
　　"Thedaysarecoming，"SirJamescontinued，"whenthosewhopratedofmilitarismandthesecurityofourislandwallswillseewiththeirowneyestheruintheyhavebroughtuponus。Secretlywearemobilizingallthatwehavetomobilize，"headded，withalittlesigh。"Attheverybest，however，ourpositionispitiful。Evenifwearepreparedtodefend，IamafraidthatweshallseethingsontheContinentinwhichweshallbedriventointerfere，orelsesufferthegreatestblowwhichourprestigehaseverknown。Ifwecouldonlytellwhatwascoming！"hewoundup，lookingoncemoreatthoseemptysheetsofpaper。"Itisthisdarknesswhichissoalarming！"
　　Bellamyturnedtowardthedoor。
　　"Youhavethetelephoneinyourbedroom，sir？"heasked。
　　"Yes，ringmeupatanytimeinthenightormorning，ifyouhavenews。"
　　BellamydroveatoncetoDoverStreet。Itwashalf-pastone，buthehadnofearofnotbeingadmitted。Louise'sFrenchmaidansweredthebell。
　　"Madamehasnotretired？"Bellamyinquired。
　　"Butno，sir，"thewomanassuredhim，withawelcomingsmile。"Itisonlyafewminutesagothatshehasreturned。"
　　Bellamywasusheredatonceintoherroom。Shewasgorgeousinbluesatinandpearls。Herothermaidwastakingoffherjewels。Shedismissedboththewomenabruptly。
　　"Iabsolutelycouldn'tavoidasupper-party，"shesaid，holdingoutherhands。"Youexpectedthat，ofcourse。YouwerenotattheOperaHouse？"
　　Heshookhishead，andwalkingtothedoortriedthehandle。Itwassecurelyclosed。Hecamebackslowlytoherside。Hereyeswerequestioninghimfiercely。
　　"Well？"sheexclaimed。"Well？"
　　"HaveyouheardfromVonBehrling？"
　　"No，"sheanswered。"HeknewthatImustsingto-night。IhavebeenexpectinghimtotelephoneeverymomentsinceIgothome。Youhaveseenhim？"
　　"Ihaveseenhim，"Bellamyadmitted。"Eitherhehasdeceivedusboth，orthemostunfortunatemistakeintheworldhashappened。
　　Listen。Imethimwhereheappointed。Hewasthere，disguised，almostunrecognizable。Hewasnervousanddesperate；hehadtheairofamanwhohascuthimselfadriftfromtheworld。Igavehimthemoney，-twentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes，Louise，-andhegavemethepapers，orwhatwethoughtwerethepapers。
　　Hetoldmethathewaskeepingafalseduplicateuponhimforalittletime，incasehewasseized，butthathewasgoingtoLiverpoolStreetstationtowait，andwouldtelephoneyoufromthehoteltherelateron。Youhavenotheardyet，then？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Therehasbeennomessage，butgoon。"
　　"Hegavemethewrongdocument-thewrongenvelope，"continuedBellamy。"WhenItookitto-toDowningStreet，itwasfullofblankpaper。"
　　Thecolorslowlylefthercheeks。Shelookedathimwithhorrorinherface。
　　"Doyouthinkthathemeanttodoit？"sheexclaimed。
　　"Wecannottell，"Bellamyanswered。"Myownimpressionisthathedidnot。Wemustfindoutatoncewhathasbecomeofhim。Hemighteven，ifhefancieshimselfsafe，destroytheenvelopehehas，believingittobetheduplicate。Heissuretotelephoneyou。Themomentyouhearyoumustletmeknow。"
　　"Youhadbetterstayhere，"shedeclared。"Thereareplentyofrooms。Youwillbeonthespotthen。"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"ThejokeofitisthatI，too，ambeingwatchedwhereeverIgo。
　　ThatfellowStreusshasspieseverywhere。ThatisonereasonwhyIbelievethatVonBehrlingwasserious。
　　"Oh，hewasserious！"Louiserepeated。
　　"Youaresure？"Bellamyasked。"Youhaveneverhadevenanydoubtabouthim？"
　　"Never，"sheansweredfirmly。"David，Ihadnotmeanttotellyouthis。YouknowthatIsawhimforamomentthismorning。Hewasindeadlyearnest。Hegavemearing-atrifle-butithadbelongedtohismother。Hewouldnothavedonethisifhehadbeenplayingusfalse。"
　　Bellamysprangtohisfeet。
　　"Youareright，Louise！"heexclaimed。"Ishallgobacktomyroomsatonce。Fortunately，IhadamanshadowingVonBehrling，andtheremaybeareportforme。Ifanythingcomeshere，youwilltelephoneatonce？"
　　"Ofcourse，"sheassented。
　　"Youdonotthinkitpossible，"heaskedslowly，"thathewouldattempttoseeyouhere？"
　　Louiseshudderedforamoment。
　　"Iabsolutelyforbadeit，soIamsurethereisnochanceofthat。"
　　"Verywell，then，"hedecided，"wewillwait。Dear，"headded，inanalteredtone，"howsplendidyoulook！"
　　Herfacesuddenlysoftened。
　　"Ah，David！"shemurmured，"tohearyouspeaknaturallyevenforamoment-itmakeseverythingseemsodifferent！"