"Youareright，"hesaid。"Whenonecomestothinkofit，itisamazing。Howlongtheprophetsofwoehavepreached，andhowcompletelytheirteachingshavebeenignored！Theinvasionbogeyhasbeensolongamongusthatithasbecomenothingbutajest。
　　EvenI，inaway，amoneoftheunbelievers。"
　　"Youarenotserious，David！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Iam，"heaffirmed。"IthinkthatifwecouldreadthatdocumentweshouldseethatthereisnoplantherefortheimmediateinvasionofEngland。IthinkyouwouldfindthattheblowwouldbestrucksimultaneouslyatourColonies。Weshouldeitherhavetosubmitorsendaconsiderablefleetawayfromhomewaters。Then，Ipresume，thequestionofinvasionwouldcomeagain。Allthetime，ofcourse，thegagewouldbeflungdown，treatieswouldbedefied，weshouldbescornedasthoughwewereanationofweaklings。Austriawouldgatherinwhatshewanted，andtherewouldbenoonetointerfere。"
　　Louisewasverypalebuthereyeswereflashingfire。
　　"Itisthemostterriblethingwhichhashappenedinhistory，"shesaid，"thisdecadenceofyourcountry。OnceEnglandheldthescalesofjusticefortheworld。Nowsheisnolongerstrongenough，andthereisnonetotakeherplace。David，evenifyouknowwhatthatdocumentcontains，eventhenwillithelpverymuch？"
　　"Verymuchindeed。Don'tyouseethatthereisonehopelefttous-onehope-andthatisRussia？TheCzarmustbemadetowithdrawfromthatcompact。Wewanttoknowhisshareinit。Whenweknowthat，therewillbeasecretmissionsenttoRussia。GermanyandAustriaarestrong，buttheyarenotalltheworld。WithRussiabehindandFranceandEnglandwestward，thestruggleisatleastanequalone。Theyhavetofacebothdirections，theyhavetofacetwogreatarmiesworkingfromtheeastandfromthewest。"
　　Shenodded，andtheysatthereinsilenceforseveralmoments。
　　Bellamywasthinkingdeeply。
　　"Yousay，Louise，"heasked，lookingupquickly，"thatyourroomshavebeensearched。Whenwasthis？"
　　"Onlylastnight，"shereplied。
　　Bellamydrewalittlesighofrelief。
　　"Atanyrate，"hesaid，"Streusshasnoideathatthedocumentisnotinourpossession。HeknowsnothingaboutLaverick。Howarewegoingtodealwithhim，Louise，whenhecomesforhisanswer？"
　　"Youhaveaplan？"sheasked。
　　"Thereisonlyonethingtobedone，"Bellamydeclared。"IshallsaythatwehavealreadyhandedoverthedocumenttotheEnglishGovernment。Itwillbeabluff，pureandsimple。Hemaybelieveitorhemaynot。"
　　"Youwillbreakyourcompactthen，"sheremindedhim。
　　"Ishallcallmyselfjustified，"hecontinued。"Hehasattemptedtorobusofthedocument。Youaresureofwhatyousay-thatyourroomsanddressing-roomhavebeensearched？"
　　"Absolutelycertain，"shedeclared。
　　"Thatwillbesufficient，"Bellamydecided。"IfStreusscomestome，Ishallmeethimfrankly。Ishalltellhimthathehastriedtoplaytheburglarandthatitmustbewar。IshalltellhimthatthecompactisinthehandsofthePrimeMinister，andthatheandhisspieshadbetterclearout。"
　　Shelookedathimquestioningly。
　　"Ofcourse，youunderstand，"headded，"thereisonethingwecando，andonethingonly。WemustsendamissiontoRussiaandanothertoFrance，andbeforetheGermanfleetcanpassdowntheNorthSeawemustdeclarewar。Itistheonlythinglefttous-aboldfront。
　　Withoutthatpacketwehavenocasusbelli。Withit，wecanstrike，andstrikehard。Istillbelievethatifwedeclarewarwithinsevendays，weshallsaveourselves。"
　　StreussandKahnlooked，too，acrossthepanoramaofLondon，acrossthedingyAdelphiGardens，theturbidThames，thesmoke-hungworldbeyond。TheyweretogetherinStreuss'ssitting-roomontheseventhfloorofoneofthegreatStrandhotels。
　　"Ourenterpriseisafailure！"Kahnexclaimedgloomily。"Wecannotdoubtitanylonger。Ithink，Streuss，thatthebestcourseyouandIcouldadoptwouldbetorealizeitandtogetback。Wedonogoodhere。Weonlyrunneedlessrisks。"
　　Thefaceoftheothermanwasdarkwithanger。Histone，whenhespoke，shookwithpassion。
　　"Youdon'tknowwhatyousay，Kahn！"hecriedhoarsely。"Itellyouthatwemustsucceed。Ifthatdocumentreachesthehandsofanyoneinauthorityhere，itwouldbetheworstdisasterwhichhasfallenuponourcountrysinceyouorIwereborn。Youdon'tunderstand，Kahn！Youkeepyoureyesclosed！"
　　"Whatmencandowehavedone，"theotheranswered。"VonBehrlingplayedusfalse。Hehasdiedatraitor'sdeath，butitisverycertainthathepartedwithhisdocumentbeforehereceivedthattwentythousandpounds。"
　　"Onceandforall，Idonotbelieveit！"Streussdeclared。"Atmid-day，IcansweartoitthatthecontentsofthatenvelopewereunknowntotheMinistersoftheKinghere。NowifVonBehrlinghadpartedwiththatdocumentlastMondaynight，don'tyousupposethateverythingwouldbeknownbynow？Hedidnotpartwithit。
　　BellamyandMademoiselleliewhentheysaythattheypossessit。
　　ThatdocumentremainsinthepossessionofVonBehrling'smurderer，anditisforustofindhim。"
　　Kahnsighed。
　　"Itisoutsideoursphere-that。Whatcanwedoagainstthepoliceofthiscountryworkingintheirownland？"
　　Streussstruckthetablebeforewhichtheywerestanding。Theveinsinhistempleswerelikewhipcord。
　　"Adolf，"hemuttered，"youtalklikeafool！Can'tyouseewhatitmeans？Ifthatdocumentreachesitsdestination，whatdoyousupposewillhappen？"
　　"Theywillknowourplans，ofcourse，"Kahnanswered。"Theywillhavetimetomakepreparation。"
　　Streusslaughedbitterly。
　　"Worsethanthat！"heexclaimed。"Theyarenotallfools，theseEnglishstatesmen，thoughonewouldthinksotoreadtheirspeeches。
　　Can'tyouseewhattheresultwouldbeifthatdocumentreachesDowningStreet？Waratamoment'snotice，warsixmonthstoosoon！
　　Don'tyouknowthateveryshipbuildingyardinGermanyisworkingnightandday？Don'tyouknowthateverynerveisbeingstrained，thatthemusclesofthecountryarehammeringtherivetsintoournewbattleships？Thereisbutonechanceforthiscountry，andifherstatesmenreadthatdocumenttheywillknowwhatitis。ItisopentothemtodestroytheGermannavyutterly，torenderthemselvessecureagainstattack。"
　　"Theywouldneverhavethecourage，"Kahndeclared。"Theymightmakeashowofdefendingthemselvesiftheywereattacked，buttotaketheinitiative-no！Idonotbelieveit。"
　　"Thereisonemanwhohaswitenoughtodoit，"Streusssaid。"HemaynotbeintheCabinet，buthecommandsit。Kahn，wakeup，man！
　　YouandItogetherhaveneverknownwhatfailuremeans。Itellyouthatthatdocumentisstilltobeboughtorfoughtfor，andwemustfindit。ThismorningMademoiselledroveintothecityandcalledattheofficesofastockbrokerwithinadozenyardsofCrookedFriars'Alley。Shewastherealongtime。Thestockbrokerhimselfcameoutwithherintothestreet，tookhertoseetheentry，stoodwithherthereandreturned。Whatwasherinterestinhim，Kahn？
　　HisnameisLaverick。Fourdaysagohewasonthebrinkofruin。
　　Totheamazementofeveryone，hemetallhisengagements。WhydidMademoisellegotothecitytoseehim？HewasathisofficelatethatTuesdaynight。Hehadapartnerwhohasdisappeared。"
　　Kahnlookedathiscompanionwithadmiration。
　　"Youhavefoundallthisout！"heexclaimed。
　　"Andmore，"Streussdeclared。"Fortwenty-fourhours，thismanLaverickhasnotmovedwithoutmyspiesathisheels。"
　　"Whynotapproachhimboldly？"Kahnsuggested。"Ifhehasthedocument，letusoutbidMademoiselleLouise，anddoitquickly。"
　　Streussshookhishead。
　　"Youdon'tknowtheman。HeisanEnglishman，andifhehadanyideawhatthatdocumentcontained，ourchancesofbuyingitwouldbesmallindeed。ThisiswhatIthinkwillhappen。Mademoisellewilltrytoobtainit，andtryinvain。ThenBellamywilltellhimthetruth，andhewillpartwithitwillingly。Inthemeantime，I
　　believethatitisinhispossession。
　　"Theevidenceisslenderenough，"objectedKahn。
　　"Whatifitis！"Streussexclaimed。"Ifitisonlyahundredtoonechance，wehavetotakeit。Ihavenofancyfordisgrace，Adolf，andIknowverywellwhatwillhappenifwegobackempty-handed。"
　　Thetelephonebellrang。Streusstookoffthereceiverandheldittohisear。Thewordswhichhespokewerefew，butwhenhelaidtheinstrumentdowntherewasacertainamountofsatisfactioninhisface。
　　"Atanyrate，"heannounced，"thismanLaverickdidnotpartwiththedocumentto-day。MademoiselleLouiseandBellamyhavebeensittingintheParkforanhour。Whentheyseparated，shedrovehomeanddroppedhimathisclub。Uptillnow，then，theyhavenotthedocument。WeshallseewhatMr。Laverickdoeswhenheleavesbusinessthisevening；ifhegoesstraighthome，eitherthedocumenthasneverbeeninhispossession，orelseitisinthesafeinhisoffice；ifhegoestoMademoiselleIdiale's-"
　　"Well？"Kahnaskedeagerly。
　　"IfhegoestoMademoiselleIdiale's，"Streussrepeatedslowly，"thereisstillachanceforus！"
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　LAVERICKATTHEOPERA
　　Laverick，inpresentinghiscardattheboxofficeatCoventGardenthatevening，didsowithouttheslightestmisconceptionofthereasonswhichhadpromptedMademoiselleIdialetobeghimtobecomeherguest。Itwassheercuriositywhichpromptedhimtopursuethisadventure。Hewasperfectlyconvincedthatpersonallyhehadnointerestforher。Insomewayorotherhehadbecomeconnectedinhermindwiththemurderwhichhadtakenplacewithinafewyardsofhisoffice，andinsomeotherequallymysteriousmannerthatmurderhadbecomeasubjectofinteresttoher。Eitherthat，orthiswasoneofthewhimsofaspoiledandpleasure-surfeitedwoman。
　　Hefoundanexcellentboxreservedforhim，andameasureofcourtesyfromtheattendantsnotoftenvouchsafedtoanordinaryvisitor。TheoperawasSamsonandDelilah，andevenbeforeherwonderfulvoicethrilledthehouse，itseemedtoLaverickthatnopersonmorelovelythanthewomanhehadcometoseehadevermoveduponanystage。Itappearedimpossiblethatmovementsogracefulandpassionateshouldremainsoabsolutelyeffortless。Thereseemedtobesomestrangepowerinsidethewoman。Surelyherwillguidedherfeet！Thenecessityforphysicaleffortneveronceappeared。Notwithstandingtheslightprejudicewhichhehadfeltagainsther，itwasimpossibletokeephisadmirationaltogetherincheck。Thefascinationofherwonderfulpresence，andthenhergloriousvoice，movedhimwiththerestoftheaudience。Heclappedastheothersdidattheendofthefirstact，andheleanedforwardjustaseagerlytocatchaglimpseofherwhenshereappearedandstoodtherewiththatmarveloussmileuponherlips，acceptingwithfaint，deprecatinggratitudethehomageofthepackedhouse。
　　Justbeforethecurtainroseuponthesecondact，therewasaknockathisboxdoor。Oneoftheattendantsusheredinashortmanofsomewhatremarkablepersonality。Hewasbarelyfivefeetinheight，andanextremelyfatneckandacorpulentbodygavehimalmosttheappearanceofahunchback。Hehadblack，beadyeyes，ablackmoustachefiercelyturnedup，andsallowskin。HiswhitegloveshadcuriousstitchingsonthebacknotcommoninEngland，andhissilkhat，exceedinglyglossy，hadwiderbrimsthanareusuallyassociatedwithBondStreet。
　　Laverickhalfrose，butthelittlemanspreadoutonehandandcommencedtospeak。Hisaccentwasforeign，but，ifnotanEnglishman，heatanyratespokethelanguagewithconfidence。
　　"Mydearsir，"hebegan，"Ioweyoumanyapologies。ItwasMademoiselleIdiale'swishthatIshouldmakeyouracquaintance。
　　MynameisLassen。IhavethefortunetobeMademoiselle'sbusinessmanager。
　　"Iamverygladtomeetyou，Mr。Lassen，"saidLaverick。"Willyousitdown？"
　　Mr。Lassenthereuponhunghishatuponapeg，removedhisovercoat，straightenedhiswhitetiewiththeaidofalooking-glass，brushedbackhisglossyblackhairwiththepalmsofhishands，andtooktheseatoppositeLaverick。Hisfirstquestionwasinevitable。
　　"Whatdoyouthinkoftheopera，sir？"
　　"ItislikeMademoiselleIdialeherself，"Laverickanswered。"Itisabovecriticism。"
　　"Sheis，"Mr。Lassensaidfirmly，"theloveliestwomaninEuropeandhervoiceisthemostwonderful。Itisagreatcombination，this。Imyselfhavemanagedformanystars，IhavebroughttoEnglandmostofthosewhosenamesareknownduringthelasttenyears；buttherehasneverbeenanotherLouiseIdiale，-neverwillbe。"
　　Icanbelieveit，"Laverickadmitted。
　　Shehaswonderfulqualities，too，"continuedMr。Lassen。"Youracquaintancewithher，Ibelieve，sir，isoftheshortest。"
　　"Thatisso，"Laverickanswered，alittlecoldly。Hewasnotparticularlytakenwithhisvisitor。
　　"Mademoisellehasspokentomeofyou，"thelatterproceeded。
　　"ShedesiredthatIshouldpaymyrespectsduringtheperformance。"
　　"Itisverykindofyou，"Laverickanswered。"Asamatteroffact，itisexceedinglykind，also，ofMademoiselleIdialetoinsistuponmycominghereto-night。Shedidmethehonor，asyoumayknow，ofpayingmeavisitinthecitythismorning。"
　　"Soshedidtellme，"Mr。Lassendeclared。"Mademoiselleisagreatwomanofbusiness。Mostofherinvestmentsshecontrolsherself。Shehaswhims，however，anditneverdoestocontradicther。Shehasalso，curiouslyenough，apreferenceforthemenofaffairs。"
　　LaverickhadreachedthatstagewhenhefeltindisposedtodiscussMademoiselleanylongerwithastranger，eventhoughthatstrangershouldbehermanager。Henoddedandtookuphisprogramme。Ashedidso，thecurtainrangupuponthenextact。Laverickturneddeliberatelytowardsthestage。Thelittlemanhadpaidhisrespects，asheputit。Laverickfeltdisinclinedforfurtherconversationwithhim。Yet，thoughhisheadwasturned，heknewverywellthathiscompanion'seyeswerefixeduponhim。Hehadanuncomfortablesensethathewasanobjectofmorethanordinaryinteresttothisvisitor，thathehadcomeforsomespecificobjectwhichasyethehadnotdeclared。
　　"YouwillliketogoroundandseeMademoiselle，"thelatterremarked，sometimeafterwards。
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Ishallfindanotheropportunity，Ihope，tocongratulateher。"
　　"But，mydearsir，sheexpectstoseeyou，"Mr。Lassenprotested。
　　"Youarehereatherinvitation。Itisusual，Icanassureyou。"
　　"MademoiselleIdialewillperhapsexcuseme，"Lavericksaid。"I
　　haveanengagementimmediatelyaftertheperformanceisover。"
　　HiscompanionmutteredsomethingwhichLaverickcouldnotcatch，andmadesomeexcusetoleavetheboxafewminuteslater。Whenhereturned，hecarriedalittle，notewhichhepresentedtoLaverickwithanairoftriumph。
　　"ItisasIsaid！"heexclaimed。"Mademoiselleexpectsyou。"
　　Laverickreadthefewlineswhichshehadwritten。
　　Iwishtoseeyouaftertheperformance。Ifyoucannotcomeroundorescortmeyourself，willyoucomelatertotherestaurantofLuigi，where，asalways，Ishallsup。Donotfail。
　　LouiseIdiale。
　　Laverickplacedthenoteinhiswaistcoatpocketwithoutimmediateremark。Lateronheturnedtohiscompanion。
　　"WillyoutellMademoiselleIdiale，"hesaid，"thatIwilldomyselfthehonorofcomingtoheratLuigi'srestaurant。IhaveanengagementaftertheperformancewhichImustkeep。"
　　"Youwillcertainlycome？"Lassenaskedanxiously。
　　"Withoutadoubt，"Laverickpromised。
　　Mr。Lassentookuphishat……
　　"IwillgoandtellMademoiselle。Forsomereasonorothersheseemedparticularlydesirousofseeingyouthisevening。Shehasherwhims，andthosewhohavemosttodowithher，likemyself，finditwelltokeepthemgratified。IfIdonotseeyouagain，sir，permitmetowishyougoodevening。"
　　Hedisappearedwithseveralbowsofhispudgylittleperson，andLaverickwasleftwithanotherpuzzletosolve。Hewasnotintheleastconceited，andhedidnotforamomentmisinterpretthiswoman'sinterestinhim。Herinvitation，heknewverywell，wasonewhichhalfLondonwouldhavecoveted。Yetitmeantnothingpersonal，hewassureofthat。Itsimplymeantthatforsomemysteriousreason，thesamereasonwhichhadpromptedhertovisithiminthecityhewasofinteresttoher。
　　AtafewminutesbeforeelevenLavericklefttheplaceanddrovetothestage-dooroftheUniversalTheatre。Zoecameoutamongthefirstandpauseduponthethreshold，lookingupanddownthestreeteagerly。Whensherecognizedhim，hersmilewasheavenly。
　　"Oh，howniceofyou！"sheexclaimed，steppingatonceintohistaxicab。"Youdon'tknowhowdifferentitfeelstohopethatthereissomeonewaitingforyouandthentofindyourhopecometrue。
　　To-nightIwasnotsure。Youhadsaidnothingaboutit，andyetI
　　couldnothelpbelievingthatyouwouldbehere。"
　　"Iwashoping，"hesaid，"thatwemighthaveanothersuppertogether。
　　Unfortunately，Ihaveanengagement。"
　　"Anengagement？"sherepeated，herfacefalling。
　　Lavericklovedthetruthandheseldomhesitatedtotellit。
　　"Itisratheranoddthing，"hedeclared。"YourememberthatwomanatLuigi'slastnight-MademoiselleIdiale？"
　　"Ofcourse。"
　　"Shecametomyofficeto-dayandgavemesixthousandpoundstoinvestforher。Shemademetakeheroutandshowherwherethemurderwascommitted，andaskedagreatmanyquestionsaboutit。
　　ThensheinsistedthatIshouldgoandhearhersingthisevening，andIfindthatIwasexpectedtotakeherontosupperafterwards。
　　Iexcusedmyselfforalittlewhile，butIhavepromisedtogotoLuigi's，whereshewillbe。"
　　Thegirlwassilentforamoment。
　　"Wherearewegoingnow，then？"sheasked。
　　"Whereveryoulike。Icantakeyouhomefirst，orIcanleaveyouanywhere。"
　　Shelookedathimwithapiteouslittlesmile。
　　"Thelasttwonightsyouhavespoiledme，"shesaid。"IhavesomanyevilthoughtsandIamafraidtogohome。"
　　"Iamsorry。IfIcouldthinkofanythingoranywhere-"
　　"No，youmusttakemehome，please，"saidshe。"Itwasselfishofme。OnlyMademoiselleIdialeissuchawonderfulperson。Doyouthinkthatshewillwantyoueverynight？"
　　"Ofcoursenot，"helaughed。"Come，Iwillmakeanengagementwithyou。Wewillhavesuppertogetherto-morrowevening。"
　　Shebrightenedupatonce。
　　"Iwonder，"sheaskedtimidly，afewminutesafterwards，"haveyouheardanythingfromArthur？HepromisedtosendatelegramfromQueenstown。"
　　Laverickshookhishead。Hesaidnothingaboutthemarconigramhehadsent，ortheanswerwhichhehadreceivedinforminghimthattherewasnosuchpersononboard。Itseemedscarcelyworthwhiletoworryher。
　　"Ihaveheardnothing，"hereplied。"Ofcourse，hemustbehalf-waytoAmericabynow。"
　　"Therehavebeennomoreinquiriesabouthim？"sheasked。
　　"Nomorethantheusualonesfromhisfriends，andafewcreditors。
　　ThelatterIampayingastheycome。Butthereisonethingyououghttodowithme。Ithinkweoughttogotohisroomsandlockuphispapersandletters。Heneverevenwentback，youknow，afterthatnight。"
　　Shenoddedthoughtfully。
　　"Whenwouldyouliketodothis？"
　　"IamsobusyjustnowthatIamafraidIcansparenotimeuntilMondayafternoon。Wouldyougowithmethen？"
　　"Ofcourse……Mytimeismyown。Wehavenomatinee，andIhavenothingtodoexceptintheevening。"
　　Theyhadreachedherhome。Itlookedverydarkandveryuninviting。
　　Sheshiveredasshetookherlatchkeyfromthebagwhichshewascarrying。
　　"Comeinwithme，please，whileIlightthegas，"shebegged。"Itlookssodreary，doesn'tit？"
　　"Yououghttohavesomeonewithyou，"hedeclared，"especiallyinapartlikethis。"
　　"Oh，Iamnotreallyafraid，"sheanswered。"Iamonlylonely。"
　　Hestoodinthepassagewhileshefeltforaboxofmatchesandlitthegasjet。Intheparlortherewasabowlofmilkstandingwaitingforher，andsomebread。
　　"Thankyousomuch，"shesaid。"NowIamgoingtomakeupthefireandreadforashorttime。Ihopethatyouwillenjoyyoursupper-well，moderately，"sheadded，withalittlelaugh。
　　"Icanpromiseyou，"heanswered，"thatIshallenjoyitnomorethanlastnight'sorto-morrownight's。"
　　Shesighed。
　　"Poorlittleme！"sheexclaimed。"ItisnotfairtohavetocompetewithMademoiselleIdiale。Goodnight！"
　　Somethinghesawinhereyesmovedhimstrangelyasheturnedaway。
　　"Wouldyoulikeme，"heaskedhesitatingly，"supposingIgetawayearly-wouldyoulikemetocomeinandsaygoodnighttoyoulateron？"
　　Herfacewassuddenlyflushedwithjoy。
　　"Oh，do！"shebegged。"Do！"
　　Heturnedawaywithasmile。
　　"Verywell，"hesaid。"Don'tshutupjustyetandIwilltry。"
　　"Ishallstayhereuntilthreeo'clock，"shedeclared，-"untilfour，even。Youmustcome。Remember，youmustcome。See。"
　　Sheheldouttohimherkey。
　　"Icanknockatthedoor，"heprotested。"Youwouldhearme。"
　　"ButImightfallasleep，"sheanswered。"Iamafraid。Ifyouhavethekey，Iamsurethatyouwillcome。"
　　Heputitinhiswaistcoatpocketwithalaugh。
　　"Verywell，"hesaid，"ifitisonlyforfiveminutes，Iwillcome。"
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　ASUPPERPARTYATLUIGI'S
　　LaverickwalkedintoLuigi'sRestaurantataboutaquartertotwelve，andfoundtheplacecrowdedwithmanylittlesupper-partiesontheirwaytoafancydressball。Thedemandfortableswasfarinexcessofthesupply，buthehadscarcelyshownhimselfbeforetheheadmaitred'hotelcamehurryingup。
　　"MademoiselleIdialeiswaitingforyou，sir，"heannouncedatonce。
　　"Willyoubesogoodastocomethisway？"
　　Laverickfollowedhim。Shewassittingatthesametableaslastnight，butshewasalone，anditwaslaid，henoticedwithsurprise，onlyfortwo。
　　"Youhavetreatedme，"shesaid，assheheldoutherfingers，"toanewsensation。Ihavewaitedforyoualonehereforaquarterofanhour-I！Suchathinghasneverhappenedtomebefore。"
　　"Youdometoomuchhonor，"Laverickdeclared，seatinghimselfandtakingupthecarte。
　　"Then，too，"shecontinued，"Isupalonewithyou。ThatiswhatI
　　seldomdowithanyman。NotthatIcarefortheappearance，"sheadded，withacontemptuouswaveofthehand。"Nothingtroublesmeless。Itissimplythatonemanaloneweariesme。Almostalwayshewillmakelove，andthatIdonotlike。You，Mr。Laverick，Iamnotafraidof。Idonotthinkthatyouwillmakelovetome。"
　　"AnyintentionsImayhavehad，"Laverickremarked，withasigh，"I
　　forthwithbanish。Youaskahardtaskofyourcavaliers，though，Mademoiselle。"
　　Shesmiledandlookedathimfromunderhereyelids。
　　"Notofyou，Ifancy，Mr。Laverick，"shesaid。"Idonotthinkthatyouareoneofthosewhomakelovetoeverywomanbecausesheisgood-lookingorfamous。"
　　"Totellyouthetruth，"Laverickadmitted，"Ifindithardtomakelovetoanyone。Ioftenfeelthemostprofoundadmirationforindividualmembersofyoursex，buttoexpressone'sselfisdifficult-sometimesitisevenembarrassing。Forsupper？"
　　"Itisordered，"shedeclared。"Youaremyguest。"
　　"Impossible！"Laverickassertedfirmly。"IhavebeenyourguestattheOpera。Youatleastowemethehonorofbeingmineforsupper。"
　　Shefrownedalittle。Shewasobviouslyunusedtobeingcontradicted。
　　"Isupwithyou，then，anothernight，"sheinsisted。"No，"shecontinued，"Ifyouaregoingtolooklikethat，Itakeitback。I
　　supwithyouto-night。Thisisanillomenforourfutureacquaintance。Ihavegivenintoyoualready-I，whogiveintonoman。Givemesomechampagne，please。"
　　Lavericktookthebottlefromtheice-pailbyhisside，butthesommelierdartedforwardandservedthem。
　　"Idrinktoourbetterunderstandingofoneanother，Mr。Laverick，"
　　shesaid，raisingherglass，"and，ifyouwouldlikeadoubletoast，Idrinkalsototheearlygratificationofthecuriositywhichisconsumingyou。"
　　"Thecuriosity？"
　　"Yes！YouarewonderingallthetimewhyitisthatIchoselastnighttosendandhaveyoupresentedtome，whyIcametoyourofficeinthecityto-daywiththeexcuseofinvestingmoneywithyou，whyIinvitedyoutotheOperato-night，whyIcommandedyoutosupperhereandamsuppingwithyoualone。Nowconfessthetruth；youarefullofcuriosity，isitnotso？"
　　"Frankly，Iam。"
　　Shesmiledgood-humoredly。
　　"Iknewitquitewell。Youarenotconceited。Youdonotbelieve，assomanymenwould，thatIhavefalleninlovewithyou。Youthinkthattheremustbesomeobject，andyouaskyourselfallthetime，'Whatisit？'inyourheart，Mr。Laverick，Iwonderwhetheryouhaveanyidea。"
　　Hervoicehadfallenalmosttoawhisper。Shelookedathimwithasuggestionofstealthinessfromunderhereyelids，alookwhichonlyneededtheslightestsofteningofherfacetohavemadeitsomethingalmostirresistible。
　　"Icanassureyou，"Lavericksaidfirmly，"thatIhavenoidea。"
　　"Doyourememberalmostmyfirstquestiontoyou？"sheasked。
　　"Itwasaboutthemurder。Youseemedinterestedinthefactthatmyofficewaswithinafewyardsofthepassagewhereitoccurred。"
　　"Quiteright，"sheadmitted。"Iseethatyourmemoryisverygood。
　　There，then，Mr。Laverick，youhavethesecretofmydesiretomeetyou。"
　　Laverickdrankhiswineslowly。Thewomanknew！Impossible！Hereyeswerewatchinghisface，butheheldhimselfbravely。Whatcouldsheknow？Howcouldsheguess？
　　"Frankly，"hesaid，"Idonotunderstand。Yourinterestinmearisesfromthefactthatmyofficesarenearthesceneofthatmurder。Well，tobeginwith，whatconcernhaveyouinthat？"
　　"Themurderedman，"shedeclaredthoughtfully，"wasanacquaintanceofmine。"
　　"Anacquaintanceofyours！"Laverickexclaimed。"Why，hehasnotbeenidentified。Nooneknowswhohewas。"
　　Sheraisedhereyebrowsveryslightly。
　　"Mr。Laverick，"shemurmured，"thenewspapersdonottellyoueverything。Irepeatthatthemurderedmanwasanacquaintanceofmine。OnlythreedaysagoItraveledpartofthewayfromViennawithhim。"
　　Laverickwasintenselyinterested。
　　"Youcould，perhaps，throwsomelight，then，uponhisdeath？"
　　"PerhapsIcould，"sheanswered。"Icantellyouonething，atanyrate，Mr。Laverick，ifitisnewstoyou。Atthetimewhenhewasmurdered，hewascarryingaverylargesumofmoneywithhim。ThisisafactwhichhasnotbeenspokenofinthePress。"
　　OnceagainLaverickwasthankfulforthosenervesofhis。Hesatquitestill。Hisfaceexhibitednothingmorethantheblankamazementwhichhecertainlyfelt。
　　"Thisismarvelous，"hesaid。"Haveyoutoldthepolice？"
　　"Ihavenot，"sheanswered。"Iwish，ifIcan，toavoidtellingthepolice。"
　　"Butthemoney？Towhomdiditbelong？"
　　"Nottothemurderedman。"
　　"Toanyonewhomyouknowof？"heinquired。
　　"Iwonder，"shesaid，afteramomentofhesitation，"whetherIamtellingyoutoomuch。"
　　"Youaretellingmeagooddeal，"headmittedfrankly。
　　"Iwonderhowfar，"sheasked，"youwillbeinclinedtoreciprocate？"
　　"Ireciprocate！"heexclaimed。"ButwhatcanIdo？WhatdoIknowofthesethings？"
　　Shestretchedoutherhandlazily，anddrewtowardsherawonderfulgoldpursesetwithemeralds。Carefullyopeningit，shedrewfromtheinteriorasmallflatpocketbook，alsoofgold，withagreatuncutemeraldsetintoitscentre。This，too，sheopened，anddrewoutseveralsheetsofforeignnote-paperpinnedtogetheratthetop。
　　Thesesheglancedthroughuntilshecametothethirdorfourth。
　　ThenshebentitdownandpasseditacrossthetabletoLaverick。
　　"Youmayreadthat，"shesaid。"ItispartofareportwhichIhavehadinmypossessionsinceWednesdaymorning。"
　　Laverickdrewthesheettowardshimandread，inthin，angularcharacters，verydistinctandplain:
　　Sometenminutesaftertheassault，apolicemanpasseddownthestreetbutdidnotglancetowardthepassage。Thenextpersontoappearwasagentlemanwholeftsomeofficesonthesamesideasthepassage，andwalkeddownevidentlyonhishomewardway。Heglancedupthepassageandsawthebodylyingthere。Hedisappearedforamomentandstruckamatch。
　　Aminuteafterwardsheemergedfromthepassage，lookedupanddownthestreet，andfindingitemptyreturnedtotheofficefromwhichhehadissued，lethimselfinwithhislatchkey，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hewasthereforabouttenminutes。Whenhereappeared，hewalkedquicklydownthestreetandforobviousreasonsIwasunabletofollowhim。
　　Theaddressoftheofficeswhichheleftandre-enteredwasMessrs。Laverick&Morrison，Stockbrokers。
　　"Thatinterestsyou，Mr。Laverick？"sheaskedsoftly。
　　Hehandeditbacktoher。
　　"Itinterestsmeverymuch，"heanswered。"Whowasthisunseenpersonwhowrotefromtheclouds？"
　　"Imaynottellyouallmysecrets，Mr。Laverick，"shedeclared。
　　"Whathaveyoudonewiththattwentythousandpounds？"
　　Laverickhelpedhimselftochampagne。Helistenedforamomenttothemusic，andlookedintothewonderfuleyeswhichshonefromthatbeautifulfaceafewfeetaway。Herlipswereslightlyparted，herforeheadwrinkled。Therewasnothingoftheaccuserinhercountenance；agentleironywasitsmostpoignantexpression。
　　"Isthisafairytale，MademoiselleIdiale？"
　　Sheshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Itmightseemso，"sheanswered。"SometimesIthinkthatallthetimewelivetwolives，-thelifeofwhichtheworldseestheoutside，andthelifeinsideofwhichnoonesaveourselvesknowsanythingatall。Look，forinstance，atallthesepeople-thesechorusgirlsandyoungmenabouttown-theolderones，too-allhungryforpleasure，alldrinkingatthecupoflifeasthoughtheyhadindeedbutto-dayandto-morrowinwhichtoliveandenjoy。
　　Havetheynoshadows，too，nosecrets？Theyseemsoharmless，yetifthegreatwhitetruthshonedown，mightonenotfindamurdererthere，adyingmanwhoknewhisterriblesecret，yonderaCroesusonthevergeofbankruptcy，astrongmanplayingwithdishonor？Butthosearethethingsoftheotherworldwhichwedonotsee。Themenlookatusto-nightandtheyenvyyoubecauseyouarewithme。
　　ThewomenenvymemorebecauseIhaveemeraldsuponmyneckandshouldersforwhichtheywouldgivetheirsouls，andafamethroughoutEuropewhichwouldturntheirfoolishheadsinaveryfewminutes。Buttheydonotknow。Therearetheshadowsacrossmypath，andIthinkthattherearetheshadowsacrossyours。Whatdoyousay，Mr。Laverick？"
　　Helookedather，curiouslymoved。Nowatlasthebegantobelievethatitwastruewhattheysaidofher，thatshewasindeedamarvelouswoman。Shehadafamewhichwouldhavecontentedninehundredandninety-ninewomenoutofathousand。Shehadbeauty，and，morewonderfulstill，thegrace，thefascinationwhichareirresistible。Shehadbuttoliftafingerandtherewerefewwhowouldnotkneeltodoherbidding。Andyet，behinditalltherewereotherthingsinherlife。Hadshesoughtthem，orhadtheycometoher？
　　"Youareoneofthosewisepeople，Mr。Laverick，"shesaid，"whorealizethedangerofwords。Youbelieveinsilence。Well，silenceisoftengood。Youdonotchoosetoadmitanything。"
　　"Whatisthereformetoadmit？DoyouwanttoknowwhetherIamthemanwholeftthoseoffices，whodisappearedintothepassage，whoreappearedagain-"
　　"Withapocket-bookcontainingtwentythousandpounds，"shemurmuredacrosstheflowers。
　　"Atleasttellmethis？"hedemanded。"Wasthemoneyyours？"
　　"Iamnotlikeyou，"shereplied。"IhavetalkedagreatdealandIhavereachedthelimitofthethingswhichImaytellyou。"
　　"Butwherearewe？"heasked。"Areyouseriouslyaccusingmeofhavingrobbedthismurderedman？"
　　"Bethankful，"shedeclared，"thatIamnotaccusingyouofhavingmurderedhim。"
　　"Butseriously，"heinsisted，"amIonmydefencehaveItoaccountformymovementsthatnightasagainstthewrittenwordofyourmysteriousinformant？Isityouwhoarechargingmewithbeingathief？IsittoyouIamtoaccountformyactions，todefendmyselfortopleadguilty？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"No，"sheanswered。"Ihavesaidalmostmylastwordtoyouuponthissubject。AllthatIhavetoaskofyouisthis。Ifthatpocket-bookisinyourpossession，emptyitfirstofitscontents，thengooveritcarefullywithyourfingersandseeifthereisnotasecretpocket。Ifyoudiscoverthat，Ithinkthatyouwillfindinitasealeddocument。Ifyoufindthatdocument，youmustbringittome。"
　　Thelightswentdown。Thevoiceofthewaitermurmuredsomethinginhisears。
　　"Itisafterhours，"MademoiselleIdialesaid，"butLuigidoesnotwishtodisturbus。Still，perhapswehadbettergo。"
　　Theypasseddowntheroom。ToLaverickitwasall-likeadream-
　　thelaughingcrowd，theflushedmenandbright-eyedwomen，theloweredlights，theairofvoluptuousnesswhichsomehowseemedtohaveenfoldedtheplace。Inthehallhermaidcameup。Asmallmotor-brougham，withtwoservantsonthebox，wasstandingatthedoorway。Mademoiselleturnedsuddenlyandgavehimherhand。
　　"Oursupper-party，Ithink，Mr。Laverick，"shesaid，"hasbeenquiteasuccess。Weshallbeforelong，Ihope，meetagain。"
　　Hehandedherintothecarriage。Hermaidwalkedwiththem。Thefootmanstooderectbyhisside。Therewerenofurtherwordstobespoken。Alittlecrowdinthedoorwayenviedhimashestoodbareheadeduponthepavement。
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　JIMSHEPHERD'SSCARE
　　Itwas，initsway，apatheticsightuponwhichLaverickgazedwhenhestoleintothatshabbylittlesitting-room。Zoehadfallenasleepinasmall，uncomfortableeasy-chairwithitsbacktothewindow。Hersupperofbreadandmilkwashalffinished，herhatlayuponthetable。Abookwasuponherlapasthoughshehadstartedtoreadonlytofinditslipthroughherfingers。Hestoodwithhiselbowuponthemantelpiece，lookingdownather。Hereyelashes，longandsilky，weremorebeautifulthanevernowthathereyeswereclosed。Hercomplexion，palethoughshewas，seemedmorethecreamypallorofsomesouthernracethanthewhitenessofill-health。Thebodiceofherdresswasopenafewinchesattheneck，showingthefaintwhitesmoothnessofherflawlessskin。
　　Notevenhershabbyshoescouldconcealtheperfectshapeofherfeetandankles。Oncemoreherememberedhisfirstsimile，hisfirstthoughtofher。Sheseemed，indeed，likesomedaintystatuette，uncouthlyclad，whohadstrayedfromaworldofherownuponroughdaysandfoundherselfill-equippedindeedforthestruggle。HisheartgrewhotwithangeragainstMorrisonashestoodandwatchedher。Supposingshehadbeendifferent！Itwouldhavebeenhisfault，leavingheralonetobattleherwaythroughthemostdifficultofalllives。Brute！
　　Hehadmutteredthewordhalfaloudandshesuddenlyopenedhereyes。Atfirstsheseemedbewildered。Thenshesmiledandsatup。
　　"Ihavebeenasleep！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Amostunnecessarystatement，"heanswered，smiling。"Ihavebeenstandinglookingatyouforfiveminutesatleast。"
　　"HowfortunatethatIgaveyouthekey！"shedeclared。"Idon'tsupposeIshouldeverhaveheardyou。Nowpleasestandthereinthelightandletmelookatyou。"
　　"Why？"
　　"IwanttolookatamanwhohashadsupperwithMademoiselleIdiale。"
　　Heshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"AmIsupposedtobeawandereroutofParadise，then？"
　　Shelookedathimdoubtfully。
　　"Theytellstrangestoriesabouther，"shesaid；"butoh，sheissobeautiful！IfIwereaman，Ishouldfallinlovewithherifsheevenlookedmyway。"
　　"ThenIamglad，"heanswered，"thatIamlessimpressionable。"
　　"Andyouarenotinlovewithher？"sheaskedeagerly。
　　"WhyshouldIbe？"helaughed。"Sheislikeawonderfulpicture，amarvelousstatue，ifyouwill。Everythingaboutherisfaultless。
　　Butonelooksatthesethingscalmlyenough，youknow。Itislifewhichstirslife。"
　　"Doyouthinkthatthereisnolifeinherveins，then？"Zoeasked。
　　"Ifthereis，"heanswered，"IdonotthinkthatIamthemantostirit。"
　　Shedrewalittlesighofcontent。
　　"Yousee，"shesaid，"youaremyfirstadmirer，andIhaven'ttheleastdesiretoletyougo。"
　　"Incredible！"hedeclared。
　　"Butitistrue，"sheansweredearnestly。"Youwouldnothavemetalktotheseboyswhocomeandhangonatthestage-door。ThementowhomIhavebeenintroducedbytheothergirlshavebeenveryfew，andtheyhavenotbeenverynice，andtheyhavenotcaredformeandIhavenotcaredforthem。Ithink，"shesaid，disconsolately，"Iamtoosmall。Everyoneto-dayseemstolikebigwomen。CoraSinclair，whoisjustbehindmeinthechorus，getsbouquetseverynight，andsimplychooseswithwhomsheshouldgoouttosupper。"
　　Lavericklookedgrave。
　　"Youarenotenvyingher？"heasked。
　　"Notintheleast，aslongasItooamtakenoutsometimes。"
　　Lavericksmiledandsatonthearmofherchair。
　　"MissZoe，"hesaid，"Ihavecomebecauseyoutoldmeto，justtoprove，yousee，thatIamnotinthetoilsofMademoiselleIdiale。
　　Butdoyouknowthatitishalfpastone？Imustnotstayhereanylonger。"
　　Shesighedoncemore。
　　"Youareright，"sheadmitted，"butitissolonely。IhaveneverbeenherewithoutMayandhermother。Ihaveneversleptaloneinthehousebeforetheothernight。IfIhadknownthattheyweregoingaway，Ishouldneverhavedaredtocomehere。"
　　"Itistoobad，"hedeclared。"Couldn'tyougetoneoftheothergirlstostaywithyou？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"ThereareoneortwowhomIwouldliketohave，"shesaid，"buttheyarealllivingeitherathomeorwithrelatives。TheothersI
　　amafraidabout。Theyseemtoliketositupsolateand-"
　　"Youarequiteright，"heinterruptedhastily，-"quiteright。Youarebetteralone。Butyououghttohaveaservant。"
　　Shelaughed。
　　"Ontwopoundsfifteenaweek？"sheasked。"YoumustrememberthatIcouldnotevenlivehere，onlyIhavepracticallynorenttopay。"
　　Hefidgetedforamoment。
　　"MissZoe，"hesaid，"IamperfectlyseriouswhenItellyouthatI
　　havemoneywhichshouldgotoyourbrother。Whywillyounotletmealteryourarrangementsjustalittle？Icannotbeartothinkofyouhereallalone。"
　　"Itisverykindofyou，"sheanswereddoubtfully；"butplease，no。
　　Somehow，IthinkthatitwouldspoileverythingifIacceptedthatsortofhelpfromyou。IfyouhaveanymoneyofArthur's，keepitforatimeandIthinkwhenyouwritehim-Idonotwanttoseemgrasping-butIthinkifhehasanytospareyoumightsuggestthathedoesgivemejustalittle。Ihaveneverhadanythingfromhimatall。Perhapshedoesnotquiteunderstandhowharditisforme。
　　"Iwilldothat，ofcourse，"Laverickanswered，"butIwishyouwouldletmeatleastpayoveralittleofwhatIconsiderduetoyou。Iwilltaketheresponsibilityforit。Itwillcomefromhimandnotfromme。"
　　Sheremainedunconvinced。
　　"Iwouldratherwait，"shesaid。"Ifyoureallywanttogivemesomething，Iwillletyou-outofmybrother'smoney，ofcourse，Imean，"sheadded。"Ihaven'tanythingsavedatall，orIwouldn'thavethat。Butonedayyoushalltakemeoutandbuymeadressandhat。YoucantellArthurdirectlyyouwritetohim。Idon'tmindthat，forsometimesIdofeelashamed-Ididtheothernighttohaveyousitwithmethere，andtofeelthatIwasdressedsoverydifferentlyfromallofthem。"
　　Helaughedreassuringly。
　　"Idon'tthinkmennoticethosethings。Tomeyouseemedjustasyoushouldseem。IonlyknowthatIwasgladenoughtobetherewithyou。"
　　"Wereyou？"-ratherwistfully。
　　"OfcourseIwas。NowIamgoing，butbeforeIgo，don'tforgetMondayafternoon。We'llhavelunchandthengotoyourbrother'srooms。"
　　Sheglancedattheclock。
　　"Isitreallysolate？"sheasked。
　　"Itis。Don'tyounoticehowquietitisoutside？"
　　Theystoodhandinhandforamoment。Astrangesilenceseemedtohavefallenuponthestreets。LaverickwassuddenlyconsciousofsomethingwhichhehadneverfeltwhenMademoiselleIdialehadsmileduponhim-aquickeningofthepulses，asenseofgatheringexcitementwhichalmosttookhisbreathaway。Hiseyeswerefixeduponhers，andheseemedtoseethereflectionofthatsamewaveoffeelinginherownexpressiveface。Herlipstrembled，hereyesweredeeperandsofterthanever。Theyseemedtobeaskinghimaquestion，askingandaskingtilleveryfibreofhisbodywasconcentratedinthedesperateeffortwith，whichhekeptheratarm'slength。
　　"Isitsoverylate？"shewhispered，comingjustalittlecloser，sothatshewasindeedalmostwithintheshelterofhisarms。
　　Heclutchedherhandsalmostroughlyandraisedthemtohislips。
　　"Muchtoolateformetostayhere，child，"hesaid，andhisvoiceeventohimselfsoundedhardandunnatural。
　　"Runalongtobed。To-morrownight-to-morrownight，then，Iwillfetchyou。Good-bye！"
　　Helethimselfout。Hedidnotevenlookbehindtothespotwherehehadlefther。Heclosedthefrontdoorandwalkedwithswift，almostsavagefootstepsdownthequietStreet，acrosstheSquare，andintoNewOxfordStreet。Hereheseemedtobreathemorefreely。
　　Hecalledahansomanddrovetohisrooms。
　　Thehall-porterhadlefthispostinthefronthall，andtherewasnoonetoinformLaverickthatavisitorwasawaitinghim。Whenheenteredhissitting-room，however，hegavealittlestartofsurprise。
　　Mr。JamesShepherdwasreclininginhiseasy-chairwithhishandsuponhisknees-Mr。JamesShepherdwithhisfacemorepastyeventhanusual，hiseyesatriflegreener，hiswholedemeanoroneofunconcealedandunaffectedterror。
　　"Hullo！"Laverickexclaimed。"Whatthedickens-whatdoyouwanthere，Shepherd？"
　　"Uponmyword，sir，I'mnotsurethatIknow，"themanreplied，"butI'mscared。I'vebroughtyoubackthecertificatesofthemshares。Iwantyoutokeepthemforme。I'mterrifiedlesttheycomeandsearchmyroom。Iam，Itellyoufair。I'mterrifiedtoorderapintofbeerformyself。They'rewatchingmeallthetime。"
　　"Whoare？"Laverickdemanded。
　　"Lordknowswho；"Shepherdanswered，"butthere'stwoofthematit。
　　Itoldyouaboutthemasaskedquestions，andIthoughttherewe'ddoneandfinishedwithit。Notabitofit！Therewasanotheronetherethisafternoon，saidhewasajournalist，makingsketchesofthepassageandaskingmenoendofquestions。Hewasn'tnojournalist，I'llsweartothat。Iaskedhimabouthispaper。
　　'Half-a-dozen，'hedeclared。'They'reallgladtohavewhatIsendthem。'Journalist！Lordknowswhotheotherchapwasandwhathewasaskingquestionsfor，butthisonewasa'tec，straight。JoeForman，hewasinto-daylookingaftermyplace，forI'dgivenamonth'snotice，andhesaystome，"Youseethatbigchap？'-meaninghimashadbeenaskingmethequestions-andIsays"Yes！'andhesays，'That'sa'tee。I'veseedhiminapolicecourt，givingevidence。'Iwentallofashiversothatyoucouldhaveknockedmedown。"
　　"Come，come！"saidLaverick。"There'snoneedforyoutobefeelinglikethisaboutit。Allthatyou'vedoneisnottohaverememberedthosetwocustomerswhowereinyourrestaurantlateonenight。
　　There'snothingcriminalinthat。"
　　"There'ssomethingcriminalinhavingtwohundredandfiftypounds'
　　worthofsharesinone'spocket-somethingsuspicious，anyway，"
　　Shepherddeclared，plumpingthemdownonthetable。"Iain'tgivingyoutheseback，mind，butyoumustkeep'emforme。IwishI'dnevergivennotice。IthinkI'llaskthebosstokeepmeon。"
　　"Whydoyousupposethatthismanisparticularlyinterestedinyou？"
　　Laverickinquired。
　　"Ain'tItoldyou？"Shepherdexclaimed，sittingup。"Why，he'sbeentomyplacedownin'Ammersmith，askingquestionsaboutme。
　　Mylandladyswearshedidn'tgointomyroom，butwhocantellwhetherhedidornot？Thosesortofchapscangetinanywhere。
　　ThenIwentoutforabitofanairingaftertheoneo'clockrushwasoverto-day，andI'mdangedifhewasn'tatmy'eels。IseedhimcomingroundbyLiverpoolStreetjustasIwentinabartogetadropofsomething。"
　　Laverickfrowned。
　　"IfthereisanythinginthisStory，Shepherd，"hesaid，"ifyouarereallybeingfollowed，whatathunderingfoolyouweretocomehere！AlltheworldknowsthatArthurMorrisonwasmypartner。"
　　"Icouldn'thelpit，sir，"themandeclared。"Icouldn't，indeed。
　　Iwassoscared，IfeltImustspeakaboutittosomeone。Andthenthereweretheseshares。TherewasnowhereIcouldkeep'emsafe。"
　　"Lookhere，"Laverickwenton，"you'realarmingyourselfaboutnothing。Inanycase，thereisonlyonethingforyoutodo。Pullyourselftogetherandputaboldfaceuponit。I'llkeepthesecertificatesforyou，andwhenyouwantsomemoneyyoucancometomeforit。Gobacktoyourplace，andifyourmasteriswillingtokeepyouonperhapsitwouldbeagoodthingtostaythereforanothermonthorso。Butdon'tletanyoneseethatyou'refrightened。Remember，there'snothingthatyoucangetintotroublefor。Noone'sobligedtoanswersuchquestionsasyou'vebeenasked，exceptinacourtandunderoath。Sticktoyourstory，andifyoutakemyadvice，"Laverickadded，glancingathisvisitor'sshakingfingers，"youwillkeepawayfromthedrink。"
　　"It'slittleenoughI'vehad，sir，"Shepherdassuredhim。"Adropnowandthenjusttokeepupone'sspirits-nothingthatamountstoanything。"
　　"Makeitaslittleaspossible，"Lavericksaid。"Remember，I'mbackofyou，I'llseethatyougetintonotrouble。Anddon'tcomehereagain。Cometomyoffice，ifyoulike-there'snothinginthat-
　　butdon'tcomehere，youunderstand？"
　　Shepherdtookuphishat。
　　"Iunderstand，sir。I'msorrytohavetroubledyou，butthesightofthatmanfollowingmeaboutfairlygavemetheshivers。"
　　"Comeintotheofficeasoftenasyoulike，inreason，Lavericksaid，showinghimout，"butnothereagain。Keepyoureyesopen，andletmeknowifyouthinkyou'vebeenfollowedhere。"
　　"There'snomorenewsinthepapers，sir？Nothingturnedup？"
　　"Nothing，"repliedLaverick。"Ifthepolicehavefoundoutanythingatall，theywillkeepituntilaftertheinquest。"
　　"Andyou'veheard。nothing，sir，"Shepherdasked，speakinginahoarsewhisper，"ofMr。Morrison？"
　　"Nothing，"Laverickanswered。"Mr。Morrisonisabroad。"
　　Themanwipedhisforeheadwithhishand。
　　"Ofcourse！"hemuttered。"Agoodjob，too，forhim！"
　　CHAPTERXXVI
　　THEDOCUMENTDISCOVERED
　　Onthefollowingmorning，Lavericksurprisedhisofficecleanerandoneerrand-boybyappearingataboutaquartertonine。HefoundawomanbusybrushingouthisroomandamanCleaningthewindows。
　　Theystaredathiminamazement。Hisarrivalatsuchanhourwasabsolutelyunprecedented。
　　"Youcanleavetheofficejustasitis，ifyouplease，"hetoldthem。"Ihaveafewthingstoattendtoatonce。"
　　Hewasaccordinglyleftalone。Hehadreckoneduponthisasbeingtheoneperiodduringthedaywhenhecouldrelyuponnotbeingdisturbed。Nevertheless，helockedthedoorsoastobesecureagainstanypossibleintruder。Thenhewenttohissafe，unlockedit，anddrewfromitssecretdrawerthewornbrown-leatherpocket-book。
　　Firstofallhetookoutthenotesandlaidthemuponthetable。
　　Thenhefeltthepocket-bookalloverandhisheartgavealittleleap。ItwastruewhatMademoiselleIdialehadtoldhim。Ononesidetherewasdistinctlyarustlingasofpaper。Heopenedthecasequiteflatandpassedhisfingerscarefullyoverthelining。
　　Verysoonhefoundtheopening-itwassimplyamatterofdrawingdownthestiffsilkliningfromunderneaththeoverlappingedge。
　　Thrustinginhisfingers，hedrewoutalongforeignenvelope，securelysealed。Scarcelystoppingtoglanceatit，herearrangedthepocket-book，replacedthenotes，andlockeditupagain。Thenheunboltedhisdoorandsatdownathisdesk，withthedocumentwhichhehaddiscovered，onthepadinfrontofhim。
　　Therewasnotmuchtobemadeofit。Therewasnoaddress，buttheblacksealattheendboretheimpressionofaforeigncoatofarms，andamottowhichtohimwasindecipherable。Heheldituptothelight，buttheoutsidesheethadnotbeenwrittenon，andhegainednoideaastoitscontents。Heleanedbackinhischairforamoment，andlookedatit。SothiswasthedocumentwhichwouldprobablyrevealthesecretofthemurderinCrookedFriars'Alley！
　　ThiswasthedocumentwhichMademoiselleIdialeconsideredofsomuchmoreimportancethanthefortunerepresentedbythatpacketofbank-notes！Whatdiditallmean？Wasthisman，whohadeitherexpiatedacrimeorbeenthevictimofaterriblevengeance，-washeapolitician，adealerintradesecrets，amemberofasecretsociety，aninformer？Orwasheoneoftheundergroundcriminalsoftheworld，oneofthosewhocrawlbeneaththesurfaceofknownthings-acreatureofthedarkplaces？Perhapsduringthosefewminutes，whenhisbrainwascoolandactive，withthegreatcityawakeningallaroundhim，Laverickrealizedmorecompletelythaneverbeforeexactlyhowhestood。Withoutdoubthewaswalkingonthebrinkofaprecipice。Fourdaysagotherehadbeennothingforhimbutruin。Themeansofsalvationhadsuddenlypresentedthemselvesinthisstartlinganddramaticmanner，andwithouthesitationhehadembracedthem。Whatdiditallamountto？Howfarwasheguilty，andofwhat？Washeathief？Thelawwouldprobablycallhimso。Thelawmighthaveevenmoretosay。Itwouldsaythatbykeepinghismouthclosedastohisadventureonthatnighthehadrangedhimselfonthesideofthecriminals，-hewasguiltynotonlyoftechnicaltheft，butofacriminalknowledgeofthisterriblecrime。Eventshadfollowedupononeanothersorapidlyduringtheselastfewdaysthathehadlittleenoughtimeforreflection，littletimetorealizeexactlyhowhestood。Thelong-expectedboomin"Unions，"thecomingofZoe，thestrangeadvancesmadetohimbyMademoiselleIdiale，herincomprehensibleconnectionwiththistragedyacrosswhichhehadstumbled，andherapparentknowledgeofhisshareinit，-thesethingsweresufficient，indeed，togivehimfoodforthought。Laverickwasnotbynatureapessimist。Otherthingsbeingequal，hewouldhavemade，withoutdoubt，amagnificentsoldier，forhehadcourageofarareandhighorder。Itneveroccurredtohimtositandbrooduponhisowndanger。
　　Heratherwelcomedtheopportunityofoccupyinghismindwithotherthoughts。Yetinthosefewminutes，whilehewaitedforthebusinessofthe:daytocommence，helookedhisexactpositioninthefaceandherealizedmorethoroughlyhowgraveitreallywas。Howwashetofindawayout-tosethimselfrightwiththelaw？Whatcouldhedowiththosenotes？Theywerethereuntouched。Hehadonlymadeuseoftheminanindirectway。Theywerethereintact，ashehadpickedthemupuponthatfatefulnight。Wasthereanypossiblechancebymeansofwhichhemightdiscovertheownerandrestoretheminsuchawaythathisnamemightneverbementioned？
　　Hiseyesrepeatedlysoughtthatenvelopewhichlaybeforehim。
　　Insideitmustliethesecretofthewholetragedy。Shouldheriskeverythingandbreaktheseal，orshouldheriskperhapsasmuchandtellthewholetruthtoMademoiselleIdiale？Itwasastrangedilemmaforamantofindhimselfin。
　　Then，ashesatthere，thebusinessofthedaycommenced。Apileofletterswasbroughtin，thetelephonesintheouterofficebegantoring。Hethrustthesealedenvelopeintothebreast-pocketofhiscoatandbuttoneditup。There，forthepresent，itmustremain。
　　Heowedittohimselftodevoteeveryenergyhepossessedtomakethemostofthisgreattideofbusiness。Withsetfaceheclosedthedoorsupontheunrealworld，andtookholdoftheleverswhichweretoguidehispassagethroughtheoneinwhichhewasanactualfigure。
　　Hervisitwasnotaltogetherunexpected，andyet，whentheytoldhimthatMademoiselleIdialewasoutside，hehesitated。
　　"Itistheladywhowasheretheotherday，"hisheadclerkremindedhim。"Wemadearemarkablygoodchoiceofstocksforher。Theymustbeshowingnearlysixteenhundredpoundsprofit。Perhapsshewantstorealize。"
　　"Inanycase，youhadbettershowherin，"saidLaverick。
　　Shecame，bringingwithher，notwithstandingherblackclothesandheavyveil，theatmosphereofastrangeworldintohissomewhatseverelyfurnishedoffice。Herskirtsswepthiscarpetwithamusicalswirl。Shecarriedwithherafaint，indefinableperfumeofviolets，-aperfumealtogetherpeculiar，dedicatedtoherbyafamouschemistintheRueRoyale，andsuppliedtonootherpersonuponearth。Whoelsewasthere，indeed，whocouldhavewalkedthosefewyardsasshewalked？
　　Herosetohisfeetandpointedtoachair。
　　"Youhavecometoaskaboutyourshares？"heaskedpolitely。"Sofar，wehavenothingbutgoodnewsforyou。"
　　Sherecognizedthathespoketoherinthepresenceofhisclerk，andshewavedherhand。
　　"Womenwhowillcomethemselvestolookaftertheirpoorinvestmentsareanuisance，Isuppose，"shesaid。"ButindeedIwillnotkeepyoulong。AfewminutesareallthatIshallaskofyou。Iambeginningtofindcityaffairssointeresting。"