CHAPTERXIX
　　MYSTERIOUSINQUIRIES
　　Assoonashehadgonethroughhislettersonthefollowingmorning，Laverick，inresponsetoasecondandmoreurgentmessage，wentroundtohisbank。Mr。Fenwickgreetedhimgravely。Hewasfeelingkeenlytheresponsibilitiesofhisposition。Justhowmuchtosayandhowmuchtoleaveunsaidwasaquestionwhichcalledforafullmeasureofdiplomacy。
　　"Youunderstand，Mr。Laverick，"hebegan，"thatIwishedtoseeyouwithregardtothearrangementwecametothedaybeforeyesterday。"
　　Lavericknodded。Itsuitedhimtoremainmonosyllabic。
　　"Well？"heasked。
　　"Thearrangement，ofcourse，wasmostunusual，"themanagercontinued。
　　"Iagreedtoitasyouwereanoldcustomerandthematterwasanurgentone。"
　　"Idonotquitefollowyou，"Laverickremarked，frowning。"Whatisityouwishmetodo？Withdrawmyaccount？"
　　"Notintheleast，"themanageransweredhastily。
　　"Youknowthepositionofourmarket，ofcourse，"Laverickwenton。
　　"ThreedaysagoIwasinasituationwhichmighthavebeencalleddesperate。Icouldquiteunderstandthatyouneededsecuritytogoonmakingthenecessarypaymentsonmybehalf。To-day，thingsareentirelydifferent。Iamtwentythousandpoundsbetteroff，andifnecessaryIcouldrealizesufficienttopayoffthewholeofmyoverdraftwithinhalf-an-hour。ThatIdonotdosoissimplyamatterofpolicyandprices。"
　　"Iquiteunderstandthat，mydearMr。Laverick，"thebankmanagerdeclared。"Thepositionissimplythis。Wehavehadamostunusualandastrictlyprivateinquiry，ofanaturewhichIcannotdivulgetoyou，askingwhetheranylargesuminfivehundredpoundbanknoteshasbeenpassedthroughouraccountduringthelastfewdays。"
　　"Youhaveactuallyhadthisinquiry？"Laverickaskedcalmly。
　　"Wehave。Icantellyounomore。Thesourceoftheinquirywas，inasense，amazing。"
　　"MayIaskwhatyourreplywas？"
　　"Myreplywas，"Mr。Fenwicksaidslowly，"thatnosuchnoteshadpassedthroughouraccount。Weaskedthem，however，withoutgivinganyreasons，torepeattheirquestioninafewdays'time。Ourreplywasperfectlytruthful。Owingtoyourpeculiarstipulations，wearesimplyholdingacertainpacketforyouinoursecuritychamber。Weknowittocontainbank-notes，andthereisverylittledoubtbutthatitcontainsthenoteswhichhavebeenthesubjectofthisinquiry。Iwanttoaskyou，Mr。Laverick，tobesogoodastoopenthatpacket，letmecreditthenotestoyouraccountintheusualway，andleavemefreetoreplyasIoughttohavedoneinthefirstinstancetothisinquiry。"
　　"Thecoursewhichyousuggest，"repliedtheother，"isonewhichI
　　absolutelydeclinetotake。Itisnotformetotellyouthenatureoftherelationswhichshouldexistbetweenabankerandhisclient。
　　AllthatIcansayisthatthosenotesaredepositedwithyouandmustremainondeposit，andthatthetransactionisonewhichmustbetreatedentirelyasaconfidentialone。Ifyoudeclinetodothis，Imustremovemyaccount，inwhichcaseIshall，ofcourse，takethepacketawaywithme。Tobeplainwithyou，Mr。Fenwick，"
　　hewoundup，"Idonotintendtomakeuseofthosenotes，Ineverintendedtodoso。Isimplydepositedthemassecurityuntiltheturninpriceof'Unions'came。
　　"Itisaverynicepoint，Mr。Laverick，"thebankmanagerremarked。
　　"Ishouldconsiderthatyouhadalreadymadeuseofthem。"
　　"Everyonetohisownconscience，"Laverickansweredcalmly。
　　"Youplacemeinaveryembarrassingposition，Mr。Laverick。"
　　"Icannotadmitthatatall，"Laverickreplied。"Thereisonlyoneinquirywhichyoucouldhavehadwhichcouldjustifyyouininsistinguponwhatyouhavesuggested。Itemanated，Ipresume，fromScotlandYard？"
　　"Ifithad，"Mr。Fenwickanswered，"noconsiderationsofetiquettewouldhaveintervenedatall。Ishouldhavefeltitmydutytohaverevealedatoncethefactofyourdeposit。Atthesametime，theinquirycomesfromanevenmoreimportantsource，-asourcewhichcannotbeignored。"
　　Laverickthoughtforamoment。
　　"Afterall，thematterisaverysimpleone，"hedeclared。"Byfouro'clockthisafternoonmyaccountshallbewithinitslimits。
　　Youwillthenautomaticallyrestoretomethepacketwhichyouholdonmybehalf，andthepossessionofwhichseemstoembarrassyou。"
　　"Ifyoudonotmind，"thebankeranswered，"Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtakeitwithyou。Itmeans，Ithink，amatterofsixorseventhousandpoundsaddedtoyouroverdraft，butasatemporarythingwewillpassthat。"
　　"Asyouwill，"Laverickassentedcarelessly。"Thechargeofthosedocumentsisatrustwithmeaswellaswithyourself。IhavenodoubtthatIcanarrangefortheirbeingheldinasecureplaceelsewhere。"
　　Theusualformalitiesweregonethrough，andLaverickleftthebankwiththebrownleatherpocket-bookinhisbreast-coatpocket。
　　Arrivedathisoffice，helockeditupatonceinhisprivatesafeandproceededwiththeusualbusinessoftheday。Evenwithanaddedstaffofclerks，theofficewasalmostinanuproar。Laverickthrewhimselfintothestrugglewithawhole-hearteddesiretoescapefromtheseunpleasantmemories。Hesucceededperfectly。Itwastwohoursbeforehewasabletositdownevenforamoment。Hishead-clerk，almostasexhausted，followedhimintohisroom。
　　"Iforgottotellyou，sir，"heannounced，"thattheresamanoutside-Mr。Shepherdwashisname，Ibelieve-saidhehadasmallinvestmenttomakewhichyoupromisedtolookafterpersonally。Hewouldinsistonseeingyou-saidhewasawaiteratarestaurantwhichyouvisitedsometimes。"
　　"That'sallright，"Laverickdeclared。"Youcanshowhimin。We'llprobablygivehimAmericanrails。"
　　"Can'tweattendtoitintheofficeforyou，sir？"theclerkasked。
　　"Isupposeit'sonlyamatterofafewhundreds。"
　　"Lessthanthat，probably，butIpromisedthefellowI'dlookafteritmyself。Sendhimin，Scropes。"
　　TherewasabriefdelayandthenMr。Shepherdwasannounced。
　　Laverick，whowassittingwithhiscoatoff，smokingawell-earnedcigarette，lookedupandnoddedtohisvisitorasthedoorwasclosed。
　　"Sorrytokeepyouwaiting，"heremarked。"We'rehavingabitofarush。"
　　ThemanlaiddownhishatandcameuptoLaverick'sside。
　　"Iguessthat，sir，"hesaid，"fromthenumberofpeoplewe'vehadinthe'BlackPost'to-day，andthewaythey'veallbeenshoutingandtalking。Theydon'tseemtoeatmuchthesedays，butthere'ssomeofthemcanshiftthedrink。"
　　"I'vegotsomesoundstockslookedoutforyou，"Laverickremarked，"twohundredandfiftypounds'worth。Ifyou'lljustapprovethatlistasamatterofform，"headded，pushingapieceofpaperacross，"youcancomeinto-morrowandhavethecertificates。Ishalltellthemtodebitthepurchasemoneytomyprivateaccount，sothatifanyoneasksyouanything，youcansaythatyoupaidmeforthem。"
　　"I'msureI'mmuchobliged，sir，"themansaid。"Totellyouthetruth，"hewenton，"I'vehadabitofascareto-day。"
　　Lavericklookedupquickly。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemanded。
　　"MayIsitdown，sir？I'mabitwornout。I'vebeenonthegosincehalf-pastten。"
　　Lavericknoddedandpointedtoachair。Shepherdbroughtituptothesideofthetableandleanedforward。
　　"There'sbeentwomeninto-day，"hesaid，"askingquestions。TheywantedtoknowhowmanycustomersIhadthereonMondaynight，andcouldIdescribethem。WasthereanyoneIrecognized，andsoon。"
　　"Whatdidyousay？"
　　"IdeclaredIcouldn'trememberanyone。Tothebestofmyrecollection，Itoldthem，therewasnooneservedatallafterteno'clock。Iwouldn'tsayforcertain-itlookedasthoughImighthavehadareason。"
　　"Andweretheysatisfied？"
　　"Idon'tthinktheywere，"Shepherdadmitted。"Notaltogether，thatistosay。"
　　"Didtheymentionanynames？"askedLaverick-"Morrison's，forinstance？Didtheywanttoknowwhetherhewasaregularcustomer？"
　　"Theydidn'tmentionnonamesatall，sir，"themananswered，"buttheydidbegintoaskquestionsaboutmyregularclients。Fortunatelike，theplacewassocrowdedthatIhadeveryexcusefornotpayinganytoomuchattentiontothem。ItwasallIcoulddotokeepongettingordersattendedto。"
　　"Whatsortofmenwerethey？"Laverickasked。"Doyouthinkthattheycamefromthepolice？"
　　"Ishouldn'thavesaidso，"Shepherdreplied，"butonecan'ttell，andthesegentlemenfromScotlandYarddomakethemselvesupsosometimesonpurposetodeceive。Ishouldhavesaidthatthesetwowereforeigners，thesamekidneyasthepoorchapaswasmurdered。
　　Iheardawordortwopass，andIsortofgatheredthatthey'dashrewdideaastothatmeetinginthe'BlackPost'betweenthemanwhowasmurderedandthelittledarkfellow。"
　　Lavericknodded。
　　"JimShepherd，"hedeclared，"youappeartometobeaverysagaciousperson。"
　　"I'msureI'mmuchobliged，sir；Icantellyou，though，"headded，"Idon'thalflikethesechapscomingroundmakinginquiries。Mynervesain'tquitewhattheywere，anditgivesmethejumps。"
　　Laverickwasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
　　"Afterall，therewasnooneelseinthebarthatnight，"heremarked，-"noonewhocouldcontradictyou？"
　　"Notasoul，"JimShepherdagreed。
　　"Thendon'tyoubother，"Laverickcontinued。"Yousee，you'vebeenwise。Youhaven'tgivenyourselfawayaltogether。You'vesimplysaidthatyoudon'trecollectanyonecomingin。Whyshouldyourecollect？Attheendofaday'sworkyouarenotlikelytonoticeeverystraycustomer。Sticktoit，and，ifyoutakemyadvice，don'tgothrowinganymoneyabout，anddon'tgiveyournoticeinforanotherweekorso。Pavethewayforitabit。Askthegovernorforarise-sayyou'renotmakingalivingoutofit。"
　　"I'mon，"JimShepherdremarked，noddinghishead。"I'montoit，sir。Idon'twanttogetintonotrouble，I'msure。"
　　"Youcan't，"Laverickanswereddryly，"unlessyouchuckyourselfin。
　　You'renotobligedtorememberanything。Noonecaneverprovethatyourememberedanything。Keepyoureyesopen，andletmehearifthesefellowsturnupagain。"
　　"I'mprettycertaintheywill，sir，"themandeclared。"Theysataboutwaitingformetobedisengaged，butwhenmytimeoffcame，I
　　hoppedoutthebackway。They'llbethereagainto-night，sureenough。"
　　Lavericknodded。
　　"Well，youmustletmeknow，"hesaid，"whathappens。"
　　JimShepherdleanedacrossthecornerofthetableanddroppedhisvoice。
　　"It'sanawfulthingtothinkof，sir，"hewhispered，blinkingrapidly。"Iwouldn'tbethatyoungMr。Morrisonforallthatgreatpocketfulofnotes。Butmy！therewasasightofmoneythere，sir！He'llbearichmanforallhisdaysifnothingcomesout。"
　　"Wewon'ttalkanymoreaboutit，"Laverickinsisted。"Itisn'tapleasantthingtothinkaboutortalkabout。Wewon'tknowanything，Shepherd。Weshallbebetteroff。"
　　Themantookhisdepartureandthewhirlofbusinessrecommenced。
　　Laverickturnedhisbackuponthecityonlyafewminutesbeforeeightand，tiredout，hedinedatarestaurantonhishomewardway。
　　Whenatlasthereachedhissitting-roomhethrewhimselfonthesofaandlitacigar。Oncemoretheeveningpapershadnoparticularnews。Thistime，however，oneofthemhadaleadingarticleupontheEnglishpolicesystem。Thefactthatanundetectedmurdershouldtakeplaceinawealthyneighborhood，awayfromtheslums，amurderwhichmusthavebeenpremeditated，wasinitselfalarming。Untiltheinquesthadbeenheld，itwasbettertomakelittlecommentuponthefactsofthecasesofarastheywereknown。
　　Atthesametime，thecircumstancecouldnotfailtoinciteaconsiderableamountofalarmamongthosewhohadofficesinthevicinityofthetragedy。ItwasrumoredthatsomemysteriousinquirieswerebeingcirculatedaroundLondonbanks。Itwaspossiblethatrobbery，afterall，hadbeentherealmotiveofthecrime，butrobberyonascaleasyetunimagined。Thewholeinterestofthecasenowwascentreduponthediscoveryoftheman'sidentity。
　　Assoonasthiswassolved，someverystartlingdevelopmentsmightbeexpected。
　　Laverickthrewthepaperaway。Hetriedtorestuponthesofa，buttriedinvain。Hefoundhimselfcontinuallyglancingattheclock。
　　"To-night，"hemutteredtohimself，-"no，Iwillnotgoto-night！
　　Itisnotfairtothechild。Itisabsurd。Why，shewouldthinkthatIwas-"
　　Hestoppedshort。
　　"I'llchangeandgototheclub，"hedecided。
　　Herosetohisfeet。Justthentherewasaringathisbell。Heopenedthedoorandfoundamessengerboystandinginthevestibule。
　　"Note，sir，forMr。StephenLaverick，"theboyannounced，openinghiswallet。
　　Laverickheldouthishand。Theboygavehimalargesquareenvelope，anduponthebackofitwas"UniversalTheatre。"
　　Lavericktriedtoassurehimselfthathewasnotsoridiculouslypleased。Hesteppedbackintotheroom，toreopentheenvelope，andreadthefewlinestracedinratherfaintbutdelicatehandwriting。
　　Areyoucomingtofetchmeto-night？Don'tletmebeanuisance，butdocomeifyouhavenothingtodo。Ihavesomethingtotellyou。
　　ZOE。
　　Laverickgavetheboyashillingforhimselfandsuddenlyforgotthathewastired。Hechangedhisclothes，whistlingsoftlytohimselfallthetime。Ateleveno'clock，hewasatthestage-dooroftheUniversalTheatre，waitinginataxicab。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　LAVERICKISCROSS-EXAMINED
　　Onebyonetheyoungladiesofthechoruscameoutfromthestage-dooroftheUniversal，inmostcasestobeassistedintoawaitinghansomortaxicabbyanattendantcavalier。Laverickstoodbackintheshadowsasmuchaspossible，smilingnowandthentohimselfatthis，tohim，somewhatnovelwayofspendingtheevening。
　　Zoewasamongthelasttoappear。Shecameuptohimwithadelightfullittlegestureofpleasure，andtookhisarmasamatterofcourseasheledheracrosstothewaitingcab。
　　"Thissortofthingismakingmefeelabsurdlyyoung，"hedeclared。
　　"Luigi'sforsupper，Isuppose？"
　　"Supper！"sheexclaimed，clappingherhands。"Delightful！Twonightsfollowing，too！Ididlovelastnight。"
　　"WehadbetterengageatableatLuigi'spermanently，"heremarked。
　　"Ifonlyyoumeantit！"shesighed。
　　Helaughedather，buthewasthoughtfulforafewminutes。
　　Afterwards，whentheysatatasmallroundtableinthesomewhatBohemianrestaurantwhichwasthefashionablerendezvousofthemomentforladiesofthetheatricalprofession，heaskedheraquestion。
　　"Tellmewhatyoumeantinyournote，"hebegged。"Yousaidthatyouhadsomeinformationforme。
　　"I'mafraiditwasn'tanythingverymuch，"sheadmitted。"Ifoundoutto-daythatsomeonehadbeeninquiringatthestage-dooraboutme，andwhetherIwasconnectedinanywaywithaMr。ArthurMorrison，thestockbroker。"
　　"Doyouknowwhoitwas？"heasked。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Themanleftnonameatall。Itriedtogetthedoorkeepertotellmeabouthim，buthe'ssuchasurlyoldfellow，andhe'ssousedtothatsortofthing，thathepretendedhedidn'trememberanything。"
　　"Itseemsodd，"heremarkedthoughtfully，"thatanyoneshouldhavefoundyouout。YouweresoseldomwithMorrison。Idaresay，"headded，"itwasjustsomeonetowhomyourbrotherowessomesmallsumofmoney。"
　　"Verylikely，"sheanswered。"ButIwasgoingtotellyou。Hecameagainto-nightwhiletheperformancewason，andsentanoteround。
　　Ihavebroughtitforyoutosee。"
　　Thenote-itwasreallylittlemorethanamessage-waswrittenonthebackofaprogrammeandenclosedinanenvelopeevidentlyborrowedfromthebox-office。Itreadasfollows:
　　DEARMISSLENEVEU，IbelievethatMr。ArthurMorrisonisaconnectionofyours，andI
　　amventuringtointroducemyselftoyouasafriendofhis。Couldyousparemehalf-an-hourofyourcompanyaftertheperformanceofthisevening？Ifyoucouldhonormesomuch，youmightperhapsallowmetogiveyousomesupper。
　　Sincerely，PHILIPE。MILES。
　　Laverickfeltanabsurdpangofjealousyashehandedbacktheprogramme。
　　"Ishouldsay，"hedeclared，"thatthiswassimplysomeyoungmanwhowastryingtoscrapeanacquaintancewithyoubecausehewasorhadbeenafriendofMorrison's。"
　　"Inthatcase，"answeredZoe，"heisverysoonforgotten。"
　　Shetoretheprogrammeintotwopieces，andLaverickwasconsciousofaridiculousfeelingofpleasureatherindifference。
　　"Ifyouhearanythingmoreabouthim，"hesaid，"youmightletmeknow。Youareabraveyoungladytodismissyouradmirerssosummarily。"
　　"PerhapsIamquitesatisfiedwithone，"laughingsoftly。
　　Lavericktoldhimselfthatathisagehewasbehavinglikeanidiot，neverthelesshiseyesacrossthetableexpressedhisappreciationofherspeech。
　　"Tellmesomethingaboutyourself，Mr。Laverick，"shebegged。
　　"Forinstance？"
　　"Firstofall，then，howoldareyou？"
　　Hemadeagrimace。
　　"Thirty-eight-thirty-ninemynextbirthday。Doesn'tthatseemgrandfatherlytoyou？"
　　"Youmustnotbeabsurd！"sheexclaimed。"Itisnotevenmiddle-aged。Nowtellme-howdoyouspendyourtimegenerally？
　　Doyoureallymeanthatyougoandplaycardsatyourclubmostevenings？"
　　"Ihaveagoodmanyfriends，andIdineoutquiteagreatdeal。"
　　"Youhavenosisters？"
　　"IhavenorelativesatallinLondon，"heexplained。
　　"Itistobearealcross-examination，"shewarnedhim。
　　"Iamquitecontent，"heanswered。"Goahead，butremember，though，thatIamaverydullperson。"
　　"Youlooksoyoungforyouryears，"shedeclared。"Iwonder，haveyoueverbeeninlove？"
　　Helaughedheartily。
　　"Aboutadozentimes，Isuppose。Why？DoIseemtoyoulikeamisanthrope？"
　　"Idon'tknow，"sheadmitted，hesitatingly。"Youdon'tseemtomeasthoughyoucaredtomakefriendsveryeasily。IjustfeltI
　　wantedtoaskyou。Haveyoueverbeenengaged？"
　　"Never，"heassuredher。
　　"Andwhenwasthelasttime，"sheasked，"thatyoufeltyoucaredalittleforanyone？"
　　"Itdatesfromthedaybeforeyesterday，"hedeclared，fillingherglass。
　　Shelaughedathim。
　　"Ofcourse，itisnonsensetotalktoyoulikethis！"shesaid。
　　"Youarequiterighttomakefunofme。"
　　"Onthecontrary，"heinsisted。"Iamverymuchinearnest。"
　　"Verywell，then，"sheanswered，"ifyouareinearnestyoushallbeinlovewithme。Youshalltakemeabout，givemesuppereverynight，sendmesomesweetsandcigarettestothetheatre-oh，andthereareheapsofthingsyououghttodoifyoureallymeanit！"
　　shewoundup。
　　"Ifthosethingsmeanbeingfondofyou，"heanswered，"I'llproveitwithpleasure。Sweets，cigarettes，suppers，taxicabsatthestage-door。"
　　"Itallsoundsveryterrible，"shesighed。"It'sahorridlittlelife。"
　　"YetIsupposeyouenjoyit？"heremarkedtentatively。
　　"Ihateit，butImustdosomething。Icouldnotliveoncharity。
　　IfIknewanyotherwayIcouldmakemoney，Iwouldrather，butthereisnootherway。Itriedoncetogivemusiclessons。Ihadafewpupils，buttheyneverpaid-theyneverdopay。
　　"IwishIcouldthinkofsomething，"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。
　　"Ofcourse，itisoccupationyouwant。Sofarasregardsthemonetarypartofit，Istilloweyourbrotheragreatdeal-"
　　Sheshookherhead，interruptinghimwithaquicklittlegesture。
　　"No，no！"shedeclared。"IhavenevercomplainedaboutArthur。
　　Sometimeshemademesuffer，becauseIknowthathewasashamedofhavingarelativeinthechorus，butIamquitesurethatIdonotwishtotakeanyofhismoney-orofanybodyelse's，"sheadded。
　　"Iwantalwaystoearnmyownliving。"
　　"Forsuchachild，"heremarked，smiling，"youarewonderfullyindependent。"
　　"Whynot？"sheansweredsoftly。"ItisyearssinceIhadanyonetodoverymuchforme。Necessityteachesusagoodmanythings。
　　Oh，Iwashelplessenoughwhenitbegan！"sheadded，withalittlesigh。"Igotoverit。Wealldo。Tellme-whoisthatwoman，andwhydoesshestaresoatyou？"
　　Lavericklookedacrosstheroom。LouiseandBellamyweresittingattheoppositetable。Theformerwasstrikinglyhandsomeandverywonderfullydressed。Herclosely-clinginggown，cutslightlyopeninfront，displayedhermarvelousfigure。Sheworelongpearlearrings，andahatwithwhitefeatherswhichdroopedoverherfairhair。Laverickrecognizedheratonce。
　　"ItisMademoiselleIdiale，"hesaid，"themostwonderfulsopranointheworld。"
　　"Whydoesshelooksoatyou？"Zoeasked。
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Idonotknowher，"hesaid。"Iknowwhosheis，ofcourse，-everyonedoes。SheisaServian，andtheysaythatsheisdevotedtohercountry。SheleftViennaatamoment'snotice，onlyafewdaysago，andtheysaythatitwasbecauseshehadswornnevertosingagainbeforetheenemiesofhercountry。ShehadbeenengagedalongtimetoappearatCoventGarden，butnoonebelievedthatshewouldreallycome。Shebreaksherengagementsjustwhenshechooses。Infact，sheisaverywonderfulpersonaltogether。"
　　"Ineversawsuchpearlsinmylife，"Zoewhispered。"Andhowlovelysheis！Idonotunderstand，though，whysheissointerestedinyou。"
　　"Shemistakesmeforsomeone，perhaps。"
　　Itcertainlyseemedprobable。Evenatthatmomentshetouchedherescortuponthearm，andhedistinctlylookedacrossatLaverick。Itwasobviousthathewasthesubjectofherconversation。
　　"Iknowtheman，"Lavericksaid。"HewasatHarrowwithme，andI
　　haveplayedcricketwithhimsince。ButIhavecertainlynevermetMademoiselleIdiale。Onedoesnotforgetthatsortofperson。
　　"Herfigureismagnificent，"Zoemurmuredwistfully。"Doyouliketallwomenverymuch，Mr。Laverick？"
　　"Iadorethem，"heanswered，smiling，"butIprefersmallones。"
　　"Weareveryfoolishpeople，youandI，"shelaughed。"Wecametogethersostrangelyandyetwetalksuchfrivolousnonsense。
　　"Youaremakingmeyoungagain，"hedeclared。
　　"Oh，youarequiteyoungenough！"sheassuredhim。"Totellyouthetruth，Iamjealous。MademoiselleIdialelooksatyouallthetime。Lookathernow。Isshenotbeautiful？"
　　Therewasnodoubtaboutherbeauty，butthosewhowerecriticisingher-andshewasbyfarthemostinterestingpersonintheroom-
　　thoughtheralittlesad。ThoughBellamywasdoinghisutmosttobeentertaining，hereyesseemedtotraveleverynowandthenoverhisheadandoutoftheroom。Whereverherthoughtswere，onecouldbeverysurethattheywerenotfixeduponthesubjectunderdiscussion。
　　"Sheislikethatwhenshesings，"Laverickremarked。"ShehasnoneofthevivacityoftheFrenchwomen。Yettherewasneveranythingsogracefulintheworldasthewayshemovesaboutthestage。"
　　"IfIwereaman，"Zoesighed，"thatisthesortofwomanIwoulddiefor。"
　　"Ifyouwereaman，"hereplied，"youwouldprobablyfindsomeonewhomyoupreferredtolivefor。Doyouknow，youareratheramorbidsortofperson，MissZoe？"
　　"Ah，Ilikethat！"shedeclared。"IwillnotbecalledMissLeneveuanymorebyyou。YoumustcallmeMissZoe，please，-Zoe，ifyoulike。"
　　"Zoe，byallmeans。Underthecircumstances，Ithinkitisonlyfitting。"
　　Hiseyeswanderedacrosstheroomagain。
　　"Ah！"shecriedsoftly，"you，too，arecomingunderthespell，then。
　　Iwasreadingaboutheronlytheotherday。Theysaythatsomanymenfallinlovewithher-somanymentowhomshegivesnoencouragementatall。"
　　Lavericklookedintohiscompanion'sface。
　　"Come，"hesaid，"myheartisnotsoeasilywon。IcanassureyouthatIneveraspiretosomightyapersonageasaCoventGardenstar。
　　Don'tyouknowthatshegetsasalaryoffivehundredpoundsaweek，andwearsropesofpearlswhichwouldrepresenttentimesmyentireincome？Heavenaloneknowswhathergownscost！"
　　"Afterall，though，"murmuredZoe，"sheisawoman。See，yourfriendiscomingtospeaktoyou。"
　　Bellamywasindeedcrossingtheroom。HenoddedtoLaverickandbowedtohiscompanion。
　　"Forgivemyintruding，Laverick，"hesaid。"Youdorememberme，I
　　hope？Bellamy，youknow。"
　　"Irememberyouquitewell。WeusedtoplaytogetheratLord's，evenafterweleftschool。"
　　Bellamysmiled。
　　"Thatisso，"heanswered。"Iseebythepapersthatyouhavekeptupyourcricket。Mine，alas！hashadtogo。Ihavebeentoomuchofarollingstonelately。DoyouknowthatIhavecometoaskyouafavor？"
　　"Goahead，"Laverickinterposed。
　　"MademoiselleIdialehasafancytomeetyou，"Bellamyexplained。
　　"Youknow，orIdaresayyouhaveheard，whatacreatureofwhimssheis。Ifyouwon'tcomeacrossandbeintroducedlikeagoodfellow，sheprobablywon'tspeakawordallthroughsupper-time，gooffinahuff，andmyeveningwillbespoiled。"
　　Lavericklaughedheartily。AlittlesmileplayedatthecornerofZoe'slips-nevertheless，shewaslookingslightlyanxious。
　　"Underthosecircumstances，"remarkedLaverick，"perhapsIhadbettergo。Youwillunderstand，"headded，withaglanceatZoe，"thatIcannotstayformorethanasecond。"
　　"Naturally，"Bellamyanswered。"IfMademoisellereallyhasanythingtosaytoyou，Iwill，ifIampermitted，returnforamoment。"
　　LaverickintroducedhimtoZoe。
　　"IamsureIhaveseenyouattheUniversal，"hedeclared。"You'reinthefrontrow，aren'tyou？Ihaveseenyouinthatcleverlittlestep-danceandsonginthesecondact。"
　　Shenodded，evidentlypleased。
　　"Doesitseemclevertoyou？"sheaskedwistfully。"Yousee，weareallsotiredofit。"
　　"Ithinkitisripping，"Bellamydeclared。"Ishallhavethepleasureagaindirectly，"headded，withabow。
　　Thetwomencrossedtheroom。
　　"WhatthedickensdoesMademoiselleIdialewantwithme？"Laverickdemanded。"DoessheknowthatIamapoorstockbroker，strugglingagainsthardtimes？"
　　Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Sheisn'tthesorttocarewhoorwhatyouare，"heanswered。"Andasfortherest，Isupposeshecouldbuyanyofusupifshewantedto。Herinterestinyouisratheracuriousone。Notimetoexplainitnow。She'lltellyou。"
　　Louisesmiledashepausedbeforeher。Shewascertainlyexquisitelybeautiful。Herdress，hercarriage，herdelicatehands，evenhervoice，wereallperfection。ShegavehimthetipsofherfingersasBellamypronouncedhisname。
　　"Itissokindofyou，"shesaid，"tocomeandspeaktome。AndindeedyouwilllaughwhenItellyouwhyIthoughtthatIwouldliketosayonewordwithyou。"
　　Laverickbowed。
　　"Iamthankful，Mademoiselle，"hereplied，"foranythingwhichprocuresmesuchapleasure。"
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Ah！you，too，aregallant，"shesaid。"Butindeed，then，IfearyouwillnotbeflatteredwhenItellyouwhyIwassointerested。
　　Ireadallyournewspapers。IreadofthatterriblemurderinCrookedFriars'Alleyonlyafewdaysago，-isnotthathowyoucalltheplace？"
　　Laverickwassuddenlygrave。Whatwasthisthatwascoming？
　　"Oneofthereports，"shecontinued，"saysthatthemanwasaforeigner。Themaker'snameuponhisclotheswasAustrian。I，too，comefromthatpartofEurope-ifnotfromAustria，fromacountryverynear-andIamalwaysinterestedinmycountry-people。
　　AfewmomentsagoIaskedmyfriendMr。Bellamy，'WhereisthisCrookedFriars'Alley？'Justthenhebowedtoyou，andheansweredme，'Itisinthecity。ItiswithinayardortwooftheofficesofthegentlemantowhomIjusthavesaidgood-evening。'SoI
　　lookedacrossatyouandIthoughtthatitwasstrange。"
　　Laverickscarcelyknewwhattosay。
　　"Itwasaterribleaffair，"headmitted，"and，asMr。Bellamyhastoldyou，itoccurredwithinafewstepsofmyoffice。Sofar，too，thepoliceseemcompletelyataloss。"
　　"Ah！"shewenton，shakingherhead，"yourpolice，Iamafraidtheyarenotveryclever。Itistoobad，butIamafraidthatitisso。
　　Tellme，Mr。Laverick，isthis，then，averylonelyspotwhereyourofficesare？"
　　"Notatall，"Laverickreplied。"Onthecontrary，inthedaytimeitmightbecalledtheheartofthecity-ofthemoney-makingpartofthecity，atanyrate。Onlythisthing，yousee，seemstohavetakenplaceverylateatnight。"
　　"Whenalltheofficeswereclosed，"sheremarked。
　　"Mostofthem，"Laverickanswered。"Mine，asithappened，wasopenlatethatnight。Ipassedthespotwithinhalf-an-hourorsoofthetimewhenthemurdermusthavebeencommitted。"
　　"Butthatisterrible！"shedeclared，shakingherhead。"Tellme，Mr。Laverick，ifIdrivetoyourofficesomemorningyouwillshowmethisplace，-yes？"
　　"Ifyouareinearnest，Mademoiselle，Iwillcertainlydoso，butthereisnothingthere。Itisjustapassage。"
　　"Yougivemeyouraddress，"sheinsisted，"andIthinkthatIwillcome。Youareastockbroker，Mr。Bellamytellsme。Well，sometimesIhaveagooddealofmoneytoinvest。Icometoyouandyouwillgivemeyouradvice。So！Youhaveacard！"
　　Laverickfoundoneandscribbledhiscityaddressuponit。Shethankedhimandoncemoreheldoutthetipsofherfingers。
　　"SoIshallseeyouagainsomeday，Mr。Laverick。"
　　Hebowedandrecrossedtheroom。BellamywasstandingtalkingtoZoe。
　　"Well，"heasked，。asLaverickreturned，"areyou，too，goingtothrowyourselfbeneaththecar？"
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Idonotthinkso，"heanswered。"Ouracquaintancepromisestobeabusinessone。Mademoisellespokeofinvestingsomemoneythoughme。"
　　Bellamylaughed。
　　"Thenyouhavekeptyourheart，"heremarked。"Ah，well，youhaveeveryreason！"
　　HebowedtoZoe，noddedtoLaverick，andreturnedtohisplace。
　　Lavericklookedafterhimalittlecompassionately。
　　"Poorfellow，"hesaid。
　　"Whoishe？"
　　"HehassomesortofaGovernmentappointment，"Laverickanswered。
　　"TheysayheishopelesslyinlovewithMademoiselleIdiale。"
　　"Whynot？"Zoeexclaimed。"Heisnice。Shemustcareforsomeone。Whydoyoupityhim？"
　　"Theysay，too，thatshehasnomoreheartthanastone，"Laverickcontinued，"andthatneveramanhashadevenakindwordfromher。
　　Sheisverypatriotic，andallthethoughtsandloveshehastosparefromherselfaregiventohercountry。"
　　Zoeshuddered。
　　"Ah！"shemurmured，"Idonotliketothinkofheartlesswomen。
　　Perhapssheisnotsocruel，afterall。Tomesheseemsonlyvery，verysad。Tellme，Mr。Laverick，whydidshesendforyou？"
　　"Iimagine，"saidhe，"thatitwasawhim。Itmusthavebeenawhim。"
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　MADEMOISELLEIDIALE'SVISIT
　　Laverick，onthefollowingmorning，foundmanythingstothinkabout。Hewasaccustomedtolunchalwaysatthesamerestaurant，withinafewyardsofhisoffice，andwiththesamelittlecompanyoffriends。Justashewasleaving，anoutsidebrokerwhomheknewslightlycameacrosstheroomtohim。
　　"Tellme，Laverick，"heasked，"what'sbecomeofyourpartner？"
　　"Hehasgoneabroadforafewweeks。Asamatteroffact，weshallbeannouncingachangeinthefirmshortly。"
　　"Queerthing，"thebrokerremarked。"IwasinLiverpoolyesterday，andIcouldhaveswornthatIsawhimhangingaroundthedocks。I
　　shouldneverhavedoubtedit，butMorrisonwasalwayssocarefulabouthisappearance，andthisfellowwassuchaseedy-lookingindividual。Icalledouttohimandhevanishedlikeastreak。"
　　"ItcouldscarcelyhavebeenMorrison，"Lavericksaid。"HesailedseveraldaysagoforNewYork。"
　　"Thatsettlesit，"themandeclared，passingon。"Allthesame，itwasthemostextraordinarylikenessIeversaw。"
　　Laverick，onhiswayback，wentintoacableofficeandwroteoutamarconigramtotheLusitania，HaveyoupassengerArthurMorrisononboard？Reply。
　　Hesignedhisnameandpaidforananswer。Thenhewentbacktohisoffice。
　　"Anyonetoseeme？"heinquired。
　　"Mr。Shepherdisherewaiting，"hisclerktoldhim，-"queerlookingfellowwhopaidyoutwohundredandfiftypoundsincashforsomerailwaystock。"
　　Lavericknodded。
　　"I'llseehim，"hesaid。"Anythingelse？"
　　"Aladyrangup-namesoundedlikeaFrenchone，butwecouldnoneofuscatchwhatitwas-tosaythatshewascomingdowntoseeyou。"
　　"IfitisMademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickdirected，"Imustseeherdirectlyshearrives。Howareyou，Shepherd？"headded，noddingtothewaiterashepassedtowardshisroom。"Comein，willyou？
　　You'vegotyourcertificatesallright？"
　　Mr。JamesShepherdhadtheairofamanwithwhomprosperityhadnotwhollyagreed。Hewaspalerandpastier-lookingthanever，andhislittlegreeneyesseemedevenmorerestless。Hisattire-alongroughovercoatovertheliveryofhisprofession-scarcelyenhancedthedignityofhisappearance。
　　"Well，whatisit？"Laverickasked，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
　　"Ourbarisbeingwatched，"themandeclared。"Idon'tthinkit'sanythingtodowiththepolice。Seemstobeasortofforeigngang。
　　They'reallroundtheplace，morning，noon，andnight。They'vepumpedeverybody。"
　　"Thereisn'tverymuch，"Laverickremarkedslowly，"forthemtofindoutexceptfromyou。"
　　"They'vefoundoutsomething，anyway，"Shepherdcontinued。"Myjuniorwaiter，unfortunately，whowasasleepinthesitting-room，toldthemhewassuretherewerecustomersintheplacebetweentenandtwelveonMondaynight，becausetheywokehimuptwice，talking。
　　They'rebeginningtolookatmeabitdoubtful。"
　　"Ishouldn'tworry，"Laverickadvised。"Theinquest'sonnowandyouhaven'tbeencalled。Idon'tfancyyou'rerunninganysortofrisk。Anyonemaysaytheybelievetherewerepeopleinthe，barbetweenthosehours，butthereisn'tanyonewhocancontradictyououtright。Besides，youhaven'tsworntoanything。You'vesimplysaid，asmightbeverypossible，thatyoudon'trememberanyone。"
　　"Itmakesmeabitnervous，though，"Shepherdremarkedapologetically。
　　"They'rearegularkeen-lookingtribe，Icantellyou。Theireyesseemtofollowyouallovertheplace。"
　　"Ishallcomeinforadrinkpresentlymyself，"Laverickdeclared。
　　"Ishouldliketoseethem。Imightgetanideaastotheirnationality，atanyrate。"
　　"Verygood，sir。I'msureI'mdoingjustasyousuggested。I'vesaidnothingaboutleaving，butI'mbeginningtogrumbleabitatthework，soastopavetheway。It'sahardjob，andnomistake。
　　Ihadthirty-ninechopsbetweenoneandhalf-past，single-handed，too，withonlyaboytocarrythebreadandthat，andnoonetoservethedrinksunlesstheygotothecounterforthem。It'smorethanoneman'swork，Mr。Laverick。"
　　Laverickassented。
　　"Somuchthebetter，"hedeclared。"Allthemoreexcuseforyourleaving。
　　"You'11beroundsometimeto-day，sir，then？"themanasked，takinguphishat。
　　"Ishalllookinforafewmoments，forcertain，"Laverickanswered。
　　"Ifyougetachanceyoumustpointouttomeoneofthosefellows。"
　　JimShepherddeparted。Therewasashoutingofnewspaperboysinthestreetoutside。Lavericksentoutforapaper。Theaccountoftheinquestwasbriefenough，andtherewerenowitnessescalledexceptthemenwhohadfoundthedeadbody。Thenatureofthewoundswasexplainedtothejury，alsotheimpossibilityoftheirhavingbeenself-inflicted。Intheabsenceofanypoliceevidenceoranyidentification，thediscussionastothemannerofthedeathwasnaturallylimited。Thejurycontentedthemselvesbybringinginaverdictof"Wilfulmurderagainstsomepersonorpersonsunknown。"Lavericklaiddownthepaper。Thecompletionoftheinquestwasatleastthefirstdefinitesteptowardsafety。Thequestionnowbeforehimwaswhattodowiththattwentythousandpounds。Hesatathisdesk，lookingintovacancy。Afterall，hadhepaidtoogreataprice？Themillstonewasgonefromaroundhisneck，somethingnewandincomprehensiblehadcreptintohislife。
　　Yetforabackgroundtherewasalwaysthissecretknowledge。
　　AclerkannouncingMademoiselleIdialebrokeinuponhisreflections。
　　Laverickrosefromhisseattogreethisvisitor。Shewaswonderfullydressed，asusual，yetwiththeutmostsimplicity，-awhitesergegownwithalargeblackhat，butagownthatseemedtohavebeenmouldedontoherslim，faultlessfigure。Shebroughtwithheramusicalrustle，aslightsuggestionofsubtleperfumes-aperfumesothinandetherealthatitwasunrecognizableexceptinitsfaintsuggestionofhothouseflowers。SheheldoutherhandtoLaverick，whoplacedforheratonceaneasy-chair。
　　"Thisisindeedanhonor，Mademoiselle。"
　　Sheinclinedherheadgraciously。
　　"Youareverykind，"saidshe。"Iknowthathereinthecityyouareverybusymakingmoneyallthetime，soImustnotstaylong。
　　Willyoubuymesomestocks，-somegoodsafestocks，whichwillbringmeinatleastfourpercent？"
　　"Icanpromisetodothat，"Laverickanswered。"Haveyouanychoice？"
　　"No，Ihavenochoice，"Louisetoldhim。"Ibringwithmeacheque，-see，Igiveittoyou，-itisforsixthousandpounds。Iwouldliketobuysomestockswiththis，andtoknowthenamessothatI
　　maywatchtheminthepaper。Iliketoseewhethertheygoupordown，butIdonotwishtorisktheirgoingdowntoomuch。Itissomethinglikegamblingbutitisnotrouble。"
　　"Yourmoneyshallbespentinafewminutes，Mademoiselle，"Laverickassuredher，"andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthatforaweekortwo，atanyrate，yourstockswillgoup。Withregardtoselling-"
　　"Ileaveeverythingtoyou，"sheinterrupted，"onlyletmeknowwhatyoupropose。"
　　"Wewilldoourbest，"Laverickpromised。
　　"Itisgood，"shesaid。"Moneyisawonderfulthing。Withoutitonecandolittle。Youhavenotforgotten，Mr。Laverick，thatyouweregoingtoshowmethispassage？"
　　"Certainlynot。Comewithmenow，ifyouwill。Itisonlyayardortwoaway。"
　　Hetookheroutintothestreet。Everyclerkintheofficeforgothismannersandcranedhisneck。Outside，Mademoiselleletfallherveilandpassedunrecognized。Laverickshowedhertheentry。
　　"Itwasjustthere，"heexplained，"abouthalfadozenyardsupontheleft，thatthebodywasfound。"
　　Shelookedattheplacesteadily。Thenshelookedalongthepassage。
　　"Wheredoesitleadto-that？"sheasked。
　　"ComeandIwillshowyou。Ontheleft"-astheypassedalongtheflaggedpavement-"isSt。NicholasChurchandchurchyard。Ontherightheretherearejustoffices。ThestreetinfrontofusisHenschellStreet。Allofthosebuildingsarestockbrokers'offices。"
　　"Anddirectlyopposite，"sheasked，-"thatisacaf？isitnot，-arestaurant，asyouwouldcallit？"
　　Lavericknodded。
　　"Thatisso，"heagreed。"Onegoesintheresometimesforadrink。"
　　"Andameetingplace，perhaps？"sheinquired。"Itwouldprobablybeameetingplace。Onemightleavethereandwalkdownthispassagenaturallyenough。"
　　Laverickinclinedhishead。
　　"Asamatteroffact，"hedeclared，"Ithinkthattheevidencewenttoprovethattherewerenovisitorsintherestaurantthatnight。
　　Yousee，alltheseofficesroundherecloseatsixorseveno'clock，andthewholeneighborhoodbecomesdeserted。"
　　Sheshruggedhershouldersimpatiently。
　　"YourEnglishpolice，theydonotknowhowtocollectevidence。InthehandsofFrenchmen，thismysterywouldhavebeensolvedlongbeforenow。Theguiltypersonwouldbeinthehandsofthelaw。
　　Asitis，Isupposethathewillgofree。"
　　"Well，wemustgivethepoliceachance，atanyrate，"answeredLaverick。"Theyhaven'thadmuchtimesofar。"
　　"No，"sheadmitted，"theyhavenothadmuchtime。Iwonder-"Shehesitatedforamomentanddidnotconcludehersentence。"Come，"
　　sheexclaimed，withalittleshiver，"letusgobacktoyouroffice！
　　Thisplaceisnotcheerful。AllthetimeIthinkofthatpoorman。
　　Itdoesmakemefrightened。"
　　Laverickescortedhisvisitorbacktotheelectricbroughamwhichwaswaitingbeforehisdoor。
　　"Alistofstockspurchasedonyourbehalfwillreachyoubyto-night'spost，"hepromisedher。"Weshalldoourbestinyourinterests。"
　　Heheldouthishand，butsheseemedinnohurrytolethimgo。
　　"Youareverykind，Mr。Laverick。Iwouldliketoseeyouagainverysoon。YouhaveheardmesinginSamsonandDelilah？"
　　"Notyet，butIamhopingtoveryshortly。"
　　"To-night，"shedeclared，"youmustcometotheOperaHouse。I
　　leaveaboxforyouatthedoor。Sendmeroundanotethatyouarethere，anditispossiblethatImayseeyou。Itisagainsttherules，butformetherearenorules。"
　　Laverickhesitating，sheleanedforwardandlookedintohisface。
　　"Youaredoingsomethingelse？"sheprotested。"Youwere，perhaps，thinkingoftakingoutagainthelittlegirlwithwhomyouweresittinglastnight？"
　　"Ihadhalfpromised-"
　　"No，no！"sheexclaimed，holdinghishandtighter。"Sheisnotforyou-thatchild。Sheistooyoung。Sheknowsnothing。Bettertoleaveheralone。Sheisnotforamanoftheworldlikeyou。Soonshewouldceasetoamuseyou。Youwouldbedullandshewouldstillcare。Oh，thereissomuchtragedyinthesethings，Mr。Laverick-somuchtragedyforthewoman！Itisshealwayswhosuffers。Youwilltakemyadvice。Youwillleavethatlittlegirlalone。"
　　Lavericksmiled。
　　"Iamafraid，"saidhe，"thatIcannotpromisethatsoquickly。Yousee，Ihavenotknownherlong，butshehasveryfewfriendsandI
　　thinkthatshewouldmissme。Perhaps，"headded，afterasecond'spause，"Icareforhertoomuch。"
　　"Itisnotforyou，"sheansweredscornfully，"tocaretoomuch。
　　AnEnglishman，hecaresneverenough。Awomantohimissomethingamusing，-hiscompanionforalittleofhissparetime，somethingtobepleasedabout，toshowofftohisfriends，-toshare，even，thepassionofthemoment。ButanEnglishmanhedoesnotcaretoomuch。Henevercaresenough。Hedoesnotknowwhatitistocareenough。"
　　"Mademoiselle，theremaybetruthinwhatyousay，andagaintheremaynot。Wehavethename，Iknow，ofbeingcoldlovers，butatleastwearefaithful。"
　　Sheheldupherhandwithalittlegrimace。
　　"Oh，howIdohatethatword！"sheexclaimed。"Whoisthere，indeed，whowishesthatyouwouldbefaithful？Howmuchwepoorwomendosufferfromthat！Whycanyouneverunderstandthatawomanwouldbecaredforvery，verymuch，withallthestrengthandallthepassionyoucanconceive，butletitnotlastfortoolong。Itgetsweary。Itgetsstale。Itisasyousay，-theEnglishmanhecaresverylittle，perhaps，buthecaresalways；andthewoman，ifshebeanartisteandawoman，shetires。Butgoodafternoon，Mr。Laverick！
　　Imustnotkeepyouhereonthepavementtalkingofthesefrivolousmatters。Youcometo-night？"
　　"Youareverykind，"Lavericksaid。"IfImaycomeuntileleveno'clock，itwouldgivemethegreatestpleasure。"
　　"Asyouwill，"shedeclared。"Weshallsee。Iexpectyou，then。
　　Youaskforyourbox。"
　　"Ifyouwishit，certainly。"
　　Shesmiledandwavedherhand。
　　"Youwilltellhim，please，"shedirected，"todrivetoBondStreet。"
　　Laverickre-enteredhisoffice，pausingforaminutetogivehisclerkinstructionsforthepurchaseofstocksforMademoiselleIdiale。HehadscarcelyreachedhisownroomwhenhewastoldthatMr。JamesShepherdwishedtospeaktohimforamomentuponthetelephone。Hetookupthereceiver。
　　"Whoisit？"heasked。
　　"ItisShepherd，"wastheanswer。"IsthatMr。Laverick？"
　　"Yes！"
　　"Youwereoutsidetherestauranthereafewminutesago，"Shepherdcontinued。"Youhadwithyoualady-ayoung，tallladywithaveil。"
　　"That'sright，"Laverickadmitted。"Whatabouther？"
　　"Oneofthetwomenwhowatchalwaysherewasreadingthepaperinthewindow，"Shepherdwentonhoarsely。"HesawherwithyouandIheardhimmuttersomethingasthoughhehadreceivedashock。Hedroppedhisglassandhispaper。Hewatchedyoueverysecondofthetimeyouwerethereuntilyouhaddisappeared。Thenhe，too，putonhishatandwentout。"
　　"Anythingelse？"
　　"Nothingelse，"wasthereply。"Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthis，sir。Themanrecognizedtheladyrightenough。"
　　"Itseemsqueer，"Laverickadmitted。"Thankyouforringingmeup，Shepherd。Goodmorning！"
　　Laverickleanedbackinhischair。TherewasnodoubtwhatevernowinhismindbutthatMademoiselleIdiale，forsomereasonorother，wasinterestedinthiscrime。Herwishtoseetheplace，herintroductiontohimlastnightandherpurchaseofstocks，wereallpartofascheme。Hewassuddenlyandabsolutelyconvincedofit。
　　Asfriendorfoe，shewasverycertainlyabouttotakeherplaceamongstthefewpeopleoverwhomthistragedyloomed。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　ACTIVITYOFAUSTRIANSPIES
　　LouiseleftherbroughaminPiccadillyandwalkedacrosstheGreenPark。Bellamy，whowaswaiting，roseupfromaseat，hatinhand。
　　Shetookhisarminforeignfashion。TheywalkedtogethertowardsBuckinghamPalace-astrangelydistinguished-lookingcouple。
　　"MydearDavid，"shesaid，"themanperplexesme。Tolookathim，tohearhimspeak，onewouldswearthathewashonest。Hehasjustthoseclearblueeyesandthestolidface，halfstupidandhalfsplendid，ofyourathleticEnglishman。Onewouldimaginehimdoingafoolishlyhonorablething，butheisnotmyconceptionofacriminalatall。"
　　Bellamykickedapebblefromthepath。Hisforeheadworeaperplexedfrown。
　　"Hedidn'tgivehimselfaway，then？"
　　"Notintheleast。"
　　"Hetookyououtandshowedyouthespotwhereithappened？"
　　"Withoutaninstant'shesitation。"
　　"Asamatterofcuriosity，"askedBellamy，"didhetrytomakelovetoyou？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Ievengavehimanopening，"shesaid。"OfflirtationhehasnomoreideathantheaveragestupidEnglishmanonemeets。"
　　Bellamywassilentforseveralmoments。
　　"Ican'tbelieve，"hesaid，"thatthereistheleastdoubtbutthathehasthemoneyandtheportfolio。Ihavemadeoneortwootherinquiries，andIfindthathisfirmwasinverylowwaterindeedonlyaweekago。Theywerespokenof，infact，asbeinghopelesslyinsolvent。Noonecanimaginehowtheytidedoverthecrisis。"
　　"Themanwhowaswatchingforyou？"sheinquired。
　　"Hemakesnomistakes，"Bellamyassuredher。"HesawLaverickenterthatpassageandcomeout。Afterwardshewentbacktohisoffice，althoughhehadclosedupthereandhadbeenonhishomewardway。
　　Thethingcouldnothavebeenaccidental。"
　　"Whydoyounotgotohimopenly？"shesuggested。"Heis，afterall，anEnglishman，andwhenyoutellhimwhatyouknowhewillbeverymuchinyourpower。Tellhimofthevalueofthatdocument。
　　Tellhimthatyoumusthaveit。"
　　"Itcouldbedone，"Bellamyadmitted。"Ithinkthatoneofusmusttalkplainlytohim。Listen，Louise，-areyouseeinghimagain？"
　　"IhaveinvitedhimtocometotheOperaHouseto-night。"
　　"Seewhatyoucando，"hebegged。"Iwouldratherkeepawayfromhimmyself，ifIcan。HaveyouheardanythingofStreuss？"
　　Sheshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Nothingdirectly，"shereplied，"butmyroomshavebeensearched-evenmydressing-roomattheOperaHouse。Thatman'sspiesaresimplywonderful。Heseemsabletoplantthemeverywhere。And，David！-"
　　"Yes，dear？"
　　"HehasgotholdofLassen，"shecontinued。"Iamperfectlycertainofit。"
　　ThenthesooneryougetridofLassen，thebetter，"Bellamydeclared。
　　"Itissodifficult，"shemurmured，inaperplexedtone。"Themanhasallmyaffairsinhishands。Uptillnow，althoughheisuncomely，andabruteinmanyways，hehasservedmewell。"
　　"IfheisStreuss'screaturehemustgo，"Bellamyinsisted。
　　Shenodded。
　　"Letussitdownforafewminutes，"shesaid。"Iamtired。"
　　ShesankontoaseatandBellamysatbyherside。InfullviewofthemwasBuckinghamPalacewithitsflagflying。ShelookedthoughtfullyatitandacrosstoWestminster。
　　"Dotheyknow，Iwonder，yourcountry-people？"sheasked。
　　"Half-a-dozenofthem，perhaps，"heansweredgloomily，nomore。
　　"To-day，"shedeclared，"Iseemtohavelostconfidence。Iseemtofeelthesenseofimpendingcalamity，tohearthegunsasIwalk，toseetheterrorfalluponthefacesofallthesegreatcrowdswhothrongyourstreets。Theyareastolid，unbelievingpeople-these。
　　Theblow，whenitcomes，willbetheharder。"
　　Bellamysighed。