CROWNEDHEADSMEET
　　Bellamy，King'sSpy，andDorward，journalist，knowntofameineveryEnglish-speakingcountry，stoodbeforethedoublewindowoftheirspacioussitting-room，lookingdownuponthethoroughfarebeneath。
　　Bothmenwerelaboringunderabittersenseoffailure。Bellamy'sfacewasdarkwithforebodings；Dorwardwasirritatedandnervous。
　　Failurewasanewthingtohim-athingwhichthosebehindthegreatjournalswhichherepresentedunderstoodless，even，thanhe。
　　Bellamylovedhiscountry，andfearwasgnawingathisheart。
　　Below，thecrowdswhichhadbeenwaitingpatientlyformanyhoursbrokeintoatumultofwelcomingvoices。Downtheirthickly-packedlinesthevolumeofsoundaroseandgrew，afaintmurmuratfirst，swellingandgrowingtoathunderousroar。Myriadsofhatsweresuddenlytornfromtheheadsoftheexcitedmultitude，handkerchiefswavedfromeverywindow。Itwasawonderfulgreeting，this。
　　"TheCzaronhiswaytotherailwaystation，"Bellamyremarked。
　　Thebroadavenuewassuddenlythrongedwithamassofsoldiery-
　　guardsmenofthemostfamousofAustrianregiments，brilliantintheirwhiteuniforms，theirflashinghelmets。Thesmallbroughamwithitsgreatblackhorseswasalmosthiddenwithinaringofnakedsteel。Dorward，anAmericantothebackboneandabitterdemocrat，thrustouthisunder-lip。
　　"TheAnointedoftheLord！"hemuttered。
　　Farawayfromsomeotherquartercamethesameroarofvoices，muffledyetinsistent，chargedwiththatfaint，excitingtimbrewhichseemsalwaystoliveinthecryofthemultitude。
　　"TheEmperor，"declaredBellamy。"HegoestotheWeststation。"
　　Thecommotionhadpassed。Thecrowdsinthestreetbelowwereonthemove，meltingawaynowwithamuffledtramplingoffeetandamurmurofvoices。Thetwomenturnedfromtheirwindowbackintotheroom。Dorwardcommencedtorollacigarettewithyellow-stained，nervousfingers，whileBellamythrewhimselfintoaneasy-chairwithagestureofdepression。
　　"Soitisover，thislong-talked-ofmeeting，"hesaid，halftohimself，halftoDorward。"Itisover，andEuropeislefttowonder。"
　　"Theyweretogetherforscarcelymorethananhour，"Dorwardmurmured。
　　"Longenough，"Bellamyanswered。"ThatlittleroominthePalace，myfriend，mayyetbecomefamous。"
　　"IfyouandIcouldbuyitssecrets，"Dorwardremarked，finallyshapingacigaretteandlightingit，"weshouldbebigbidders，I
　　think。I'dgivefiftythousanddollarsmyselftobeabletocableevenahundredwordsoftheirconversation。"
　　"Forthetruth，"Bellamysaid，"thewholetruth，therecouldbenopricesufficient。Wemadeoureffortindifferentdirections，bothofus。WithinfinitepainsIplanted-Imaytellyouthisnowthatthethingisover-sevenspiesinthePalace。Theyhavebeenofasmuchuseasrabbits。Idon'tbelievethatasingleoneofthemgotanyfurtherthanthekitchens。"
　　Dorwardnoddedgloomily。
　　"Iguesstheyweren'ttakinganychancesupthere，"heremarked。
　　"Therewasn'tasecretaryintheroom。Carstairswasnearlythrownout，andhehadapermittoenterthePalace。Thegreatstaircasewasheldwithsoldiers，andDicksworethattherewereMaximsinthecorridors。"
　　Bellamysighed。
　　"Weshallheartheroarofbiggergunsbeforewearemanymonthsolder，Dorward，"hedeclared。
　　Thejournalistglancedathisfriendkeenly。"Youbelievethat？"
　　Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Doyousupposethatthismeetingisfornothing？"heasked。"WhenAustria，GermanyandRussiastandwhisperinginacorner，can'tyoubelieveitisacrosstheNorthSeathattheypoint？Thingshavebeenshapingthatwayforyears，andthetimeisalmostripe。"
　　"YouEnglisharetoonervoustolive，nowadays，"Dorwarddeclaredimpatiently。"I'djustliketoknowwhattheysaidaboutAmerica。"
　　Bellamysmiledwithfaintbutdelicateirony。
　　"Withoutadoubt，thePrincewilltellyou，"hesaid。"Hecanscarcelydomoretoshowhisregardforyourcountry。Heisgivingyouaspecialinterview-youaloneoutofabouttwohundredjournalists。Verylikelyhewillgiveyouanexactaccountofeverythingthattranspired。firstofall，hewillassureyouthatthismeetinghasbeenbroughtaboutintheinterestsofpeace。Hewilltellyouthatthewelfareofyourdearcountryisforemostinthethoughtsofhismaster。Hewillassureyou-"
　　"Say，you'rejealous，myfriend，"Dorwardinterruptedcalmly。"I
　　wonderwhatyou'dgivemeformytenminutesalonewiththeChancellor，eh？"
　　"Ifhetoldmethetruth，"Bellamyasserted，"I'dgivemylifeforit。Forthesortofstuffyou'regoingtohear，I'dgivenothing。
　　Can'tyourealizethatforyourself，Dorward？Youknowtheman-
　　falseasHellbutwiththetongueofaserpent。Hewillgraspyourhand；hewilldeclarehimselfgladtospeakthroughyoutothegreatAnglo-Saxonraces-toEnglandandtohisdearfriendstheAmericans。
　　Heisonlytoopleasedtohavetheopportunityofexpressinghimselfcandidlyandopenly。Peaceistobethewatchwordofthefuture。
　　ThewhitedoveshavehoveredoverthePalace。TherulersoftheearthhavemetthatthecrashofarmsmaybestilledandthatthisterribleunrestwhichbroodsoverEuropeshallfinallybebrokenup。
　　Theyhavepledgedthemselveshandinhandtoworktogetherforthisobject，-Russia，brokenandhumiliated，butwithanimmensearmystillavailable，whoseonlychanceofholdingherplaceamongthenationsisanotherandasuccessfulwar；Austria，onfirefortheseaboard-Austria，towhomwarwouldgivethedesireofherexistence；Germany，withBismarck'slastbutsecretwordswritteninlettersoffireonthewallsofherpalaces，intheheartsofherrulers，inthebrainofhergreatEmperor。Colonies！Expansion！
　　Empire！Whosecolonies，Iwonder？Whoseempire？Willhetellyouthat，myfriendDorward？"
　　Thejournalistshruggedhisshouldersandglancedattheclock。
　　"Iguesshe'lltellmewhathechoosesandIshallprintit，"heansweredindifferently。"It'sallpartofthegame，ofcourse。I
　　amnotexactlychickenenoughtoexpectthetruth。Allthesame，mymessagewillcomefromthelipsoftheChancellorimmediatelyafterthiswonderfulmeeting。"
　　"Hemakesuseofyou，"Bellamydeclared，"tothrowdustintooureyesandyours。"
　　"Evenso，"Dorwardadmitted，"Idon'tcaresolongasIgetthecopy。It'sgood-bye，Isuppose？"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"IshallgoontoBerlin，perhaps，to-morrow，"hesaid。"Icandonomoregoodhere。Andyou？"
　　"AfterI'vesentmycableI'mofftoBelgradeforaweek，atanyrate，"Dorwardanswered。"IhearthewomenareformingrifleclubsallthroughServia。"
　　Bellamysmiledthoughtfully。
　　"Iknowonewho'llwantaplaceamongtheleaders，"hemurmured。
　　"MademoiselleIdiale，Isuppose？"
　　Bellamyassented。
　　"It'saqueerpositionhers，ifyoulike，"hesaid。"AllViennaravesabouther。TheythrongtheOperaHouseeverynighttohearhersing，andtheypayherthebiggestsalarywhichhaseverbeenknownhere。ThreepartsofitshesendstoBelgradetotheChiefoftheCommitteeforNationalDefence。Thejewelsthataresentheranonymouslygotothesameplace，alltobuyarmstofightthesepeoplewhoworshipher。Itellyou，Dorward，"headded，risingtohisfeetandwalkingtothewindow，"thepatriotismofthesepeopleissomethingwecolderracesscarcelyunderstand。Perhapsitisbecausewehaveneverdweltundertheshadowofaconqueror。IfeverAustriaisgivenafreehand，itwillbenomerewaruponwhichsheenters，-itwillbeacarnage，anextermination！"
　　Dorwardlookedoncemoreattheclockandroseslowlytohisfeet。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"Imustn'tkeepHisExcellencywaiting。Good-bye，andcheerup，Bellamy！Youroldcountryisn'tgoingtoturnupherheelsyet。"
　　Outhewent-long，lank，uncouth，withyellow-stainedfingersandhatchet-shaped，grayface-astrangefigurebutyetapower。
　　Bellamyremained。Forawhileheseemeddoubtfulhowtopassthetime。Hestoodinfrontofthewindow，watchingthedispersalofthecrowdsandthemarchingbyofaregimentofsoldiers，whosemovementshefollowedwithcriticalinterest，forhe，too，hadbeenintheservice。Hehadstillamilitarybearing，-tall，andwithcomplexioninclinedtobedusky，asmallblackmoustache，darkeyes，asilentmouth，-amanofmanyreserves。Evenhisintimatesknewlittleofhim。Nevertheless，hiswasthereticencewhichbefittedwellhisprofession。
　　Afteratimehesatdownandwrotesomeletters。Hehadjustfinishedwhentherecameasharptapatthedoor。Beforehecouldopenhislipssomeonehadentered。Heheardthesoftswirlofdraperiesandturnedsharplyround，thensprangtohisfeetandheldoutbothhishands。Therewasexpressioninhisfacenow-asmuchasheeversufferedtoappearthere。
　　"Louise！"heexclaimed。"Whatgoodfortune！"
　　Sheheldhisfingersforamomentinamannerwhichbetokenedamorethancommonintimacy。Thenshethrewherselfintoaneasy-chairandraisedherthickveil。Bellamylookedatherforamomentinsorrowfulsilence。Therewerevioletlinesunderneathherbeautifuleyes，hercheeksweredestituteofanycolor。Therewasanabandonmentofgriefaboutherattitudewhichmovedhim。
　　Shesatasonebroken-spirited，inwhomthepowerofresistancewasdead。
　　"Itisover，then，"shesaidsoftly，"thismeeting。Thewordhasbeenspoken。"
　　Hecameandstoodbyherside。
　　"Asyet，"heremindedher，"wedonotknowwhatthatwordmaybe。"
　　Sheshookherheadmournfully。
　　"Whocandoubt？"sheexclaimed。"Formyself，Ifeelitintheair！
　　Icanseeitinthefacesofthepeoplewhothrongthecity！Icanhearitinthepealsofthoseawfulbells！Youknownothing？Youhaveheardnothing？"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"Ididallthatwashumanlypossible，"hesaid，droppinghisvoice。
　　"AnEnglishmaninViennato-dayhasverylittleopportunity。I
　　filledthePalacewithspies，buttheyhadn'tadog'schance。Therewasn'tevenasecretarypresent。TheCzar，thetwoEmperorsandtheChancellor，-notanothersoulwasintheroom。"
　　"IfonlyVonBehrlinghadbeentaken！"sheexclaimed。"Hewasthereinreserve，Iknow，asstenographer。Ihavebuttoliftmyhandanditisenough。Iwouldhavehadthetruthfromhim，whateveritcostme。"
　　Bellamylookedatherthoughtfully。ItwasnotfornothingthatthePressofeveryEuropeannationhadcalledherthemostbeautifulwomanintheworld。Hefrownedslightlyatherlastwords，forhelovedher。
　　"VonBehrlingwasnotevenallowedtocrossthethreshold，"hesaidsharply。
　　Shemovedherheadandlookedupathim。Shewasleaningalittleforwardnow，herchinrestinguponherhands。Somethingaboutthelinesofherlong，supplebodysuggestedtohimthesavageanimalcrouchingforaspring。Shewasquiet，butherbosomwasheaving，andhecouldguessatthepassionwithin。Withpurposehespoketosetitloose。
　　"Yousingto-night？"heasked。
　　"BeforeGod，no！"sheanswered，theangerblazingoutofhereyes，shakinginhervoice。"Isingnomoreinthisaccursedcity！"
　　"Therewillbearevolution，"Bellamyremarked。"Iseethatthewholecityisplacardedwithnotices。ItistobeagalanightattheOpera。Theroyalpartyistobepresent。"
　　Herbodyseemedtoquiverlikeatreeshakenbythewind。
　　"WhatdoIcare-I-I-fortheirgalanight！IfIwerelikeSamson，ifIcouldpulldownthepillarsoftheirOperaHouseandburythemallinitsruins，Iwoulddoit！"
　　Hetookherhandandsmootheditinhis。
　　"DearLouise，itisuseless，this。Youdoeverythingthatcanbedoneforyourcountry。"
　　Hereyeswerestreamingandherfingerssoughthis。
　　"MyfriendDavid，"shesaid，"youdonotunderstand。NoneofyouEnglishyetcanunderstandwhatitistocrouchintheshadowofthisblackfear，tofeelatyrant'shandcomecreepingout，toknowthatyourlife-bloodandthelife-bloodofallyourpeoplemustbeshed，andshedinvain。Torobanationoftheirliberty，ah！itisworse，this，thanmurder，-aworsecrimethanhiswhostainsthesoulofapoorinnocentgirl！Itisasinagainstnatureherself！"
　　Shewassobbingnow，andsheclutchedhishandspassionately。
　　"Forgiveme，"shemurmured，"Iamoverwrought。Ihaveborneupagainstthisthingsolong。Icandonomoregoodhere。IcometotellyouthatIgoawaytillthetimecomes。IgotoyourLondon。Theywantmetosingforthemthere。Ishalldoit。"
　　"Youwillbreakyourengagement？"
　　Shelaughedathimscornfully。
　　"IamIdiale，"shedeclared。"IkeepnoengagementifIdonotchoose。IwillsingnomoretothispeoplewhomIhate。MyfriendDavid，Ihavesufferedenough。TheirapplauseIloathe-theircovetouseyesastheywatchmemoveaboutthestage-oh，Icouldstrikethemalldead！Theycometome，theseyoungAustriannoblemen，asthoughIwerealreadyoneofaconqueredrace。IkeeptheirdiamondsbutIdestroytheirmessages。Theirjewelsgotomychorusgirlsortoarmmypeople。Butnooneofthemhashadakindwordfrommesavewheretherehasbeensomethingtobegained。
　　EvenVonBehrlingIhavefooledwithpromises。NoAustrianshallevertouchmylips-Ihaveswornit！"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"Yes，"heassented，"theycallyoucoldhereinthecapital！EveninthePalace-"
　　Sheheldoutherhand。
　　"Itisfinished！"shedeclared。"Isingnomore。IhavesentwordtotheOperaHouse。Icameheretobeinhidingforawhile。Theywillsearchformeeverywhere。To-nightorto-morrowIleaveforEngland。"
　　Bellamystoodthoughtfullysilent。
　　"Iamnotsurethatyouarewise，"hesaid。"Youtakeittoomuchforgrantedthattheendhascome。"
　　"Anddoyounotyourselfbelieveit？"shedemanded。Hehesitated。
　　"Asyetthereisnoproof，"heremindedher。
　　"Proof！"
　　Shesatuprightinherchair。Herhandsthrusthimfromher，herbosomheaved，aspotofcolorflaredinhercheeks。
　　"Proof！"shecried。"Whatdoyousuppose，then，thatthesewolveshaveplottedfor？WhatelsedoyousupposecouldbeAustria'sshareofthefeast？Couldn'tyouhearourfateinthethunderoftheirvoiceswhenthatmiserablemonarchrodebacktohiscaptivity？Wearedoomed-betrayed！YouremembertheMassacreofSt。Bartholomew，ablood-stainedpageofhistoryforalltime。Theworldwouldtellyouthatwehaveoutlivedtheageofsuchbarbarousdoings。Itisnottrue。MyfriendDavid，itisnottrue。Itisamoreterriblething，thiswhichiscoming。Bodyandsoulwearetoperish。"
　　Hecameovertohersideoncemoreandlaidhishandsoothinglyonhers。Itwasheart-rendingtowitnesstheagonyofthewomanheloved。
　　"DearLouise，"hesaid，"afterall，thisisprofitless。Theremayyetbecompromises。"
　　Shesufferedherhandtoremaininhis，butthebitternessdidnotpassoutofherfaceortone。
　　"Compromises！"sherepeated。"Doyoubelieve，then，thatwearelikethoseancientraceswhofeltthepresenceofaconquerorbecausetheirhostswerescatteredinbattle，andwhosufferedthemselvespassivelytobeledintocaptivity？Mycountrycanbeconqueredinoneway，andonewayonly，-notuntilhersons，ay，andherdaughterstoo，haveperished，canthesepeoplerule。Theywillcometoanemptyandastrickencountry-acountryredwithblood，desolate，withblackenedhousesandemptycities。Thehorrorofit！Think，myfriendDavid，thehorrorofit！"
　　Bellamythrewhisheadbackwithasuddengestureofimpatience。
　　"Youtaketoomuchforgranted，"hedeclared。"England，atanyrate，isnotyetaconqueredrace。AndthereisFrance-Italy，too，ifsheiswise，willneversufferthisthingfromherancientenemy。"
　　"Itisthemightoftheworldwhichthreatens，"shemurmured。
　　"Yourcountrymaydefendherself，butheresheispowerless。
　　Alreadyithasbeenproved。Lastyearyoudeclaredyourselfourfriend-youandevenRussia。Ofwhatavailwasit？WordcamefromBerlinandyouwerepowerless。"
　　Thentragedybrokeintotheroom，tragedyintheshapeofamandemented。ForfifteenyearsBellamyhadknownArthurDorward，butthismanwassurelyastranger！Hewashatless，dishevelled，wild。
　　Adullstreakofcolorhadmountedalmosttohisforehead，hiseyeswereonfire。
　　"Bellamy！"hecried。"Bellamy！"
　　Wordsfailedhimsuddenly。Heleanedagainstthetable，breathless，pantingheavily。
　　"ForGod'ssake，man，"Bellamybegan，-
　　"Alone！"Dorwardinterrupted。"Imustseeyoualone！Ihavenews！"
　　MademoiselleIdialerose。ShetouchedBellamyontheshoulder。
　　"Youwillcometome，ortelephone，"shewhispered。"So？"
　　Bellamyopenedthedoorandshepassedout，withafarewellpressureofhisfingers。Thenhecloseditfirmlyandcameback。
　　CHAPTERII
　　ARTHURDORWARD'S"SCOOP"
　　"What'swrong，oldman？"Bellamyaskedquickly。
　　Dorwardfromasidetablehadseizedthebottleofwhiskeyandasiphon，andwasmixinghimselfadrinkwithtremblingfingers。Hetosseditoffbeforehespokeaword。Thenheturnedaroundandfacedhiscompanion。"Bellamy，"heordered，"lockthedoor。"
　　Bellamyobeyed。HehadnodoubtnowbutthatDorwardhadlosthisheadintheChancellor'spresence-hadmadesomeabsurdattempttogaintheknowledgewhichtheybothcraved，andhadfailed。
　　"Bellamy，"Dorwardexclaimed，speakinghoarselyandstillalittleoutofbreath，"IguessI'vehadthebiggestsliceofluckthatwaseverdealtouttoahumanbeing。IfonlyIcangetsafeoutofthiscity，ItellyouI'vegotthegreatestscoopthatlivingmaneverhandled。"
　　"Youdon'tmeanthat-"
　　Dorwardwipedhisforeheadandinterrupted。
　　"It'sthemostamazingthingthateverhappened，"hedeclared，"butI'vegotithereinmypocket，gotitinblackandwhite，intheChancellor'sownhandwriting。"
　　"Gotwhat？"
　　"Why，whatyouandI，anhourago，wouldhavegivenamillionfor，"
　　Dorwardreplied。
　　Bellamy'sexpressionwasoneofblankbutwonderingincredulity。
　　"Youcan'tmeanthis，Dorward！"heexclaimed。"Youmayhavesomething-justwhattheChancellorwantsyoutoprint。You'renotsupposingforaninstantthatyou'vegotthewholetruth？"
　　Dorward'ssmilewasthesmileofcertainty，hisfacethatofaconqueror。
　　"Hereinmypocket，"hedeclared，strikinghischest，"intheChancellor'sownhandwriting。ItellyouI'vegottheoriginalverbatimcopyofeverythingthatpassedandwasresolveduponthisafternoonbetweentheCzarofRussia，theEmperorofAustriaandtheEmperorofGermany。I'vegotitwordforwordastheChancellortookitdown。I'vegottheirdecision。I'vegottheirseveralundertakings。"
　　Bellamyforamomentwasstrickendumb。Helookedtowardthedoorandbackintohisfriend'sfaceaglowwithtriumph。Thenhispowerofspeechreturned。
　　"Doyoumeantosaythatyoustoleit？"
　　Dorwardstruckthetablewithhisfist。
　　"NotI！ItellyouthattheChancellorgaveittome，gaveittomewithhisownhands，willingly，-pressedituponme。No，don'tscoff！"hewentonquickly。"Listen！Thisisagenuinething。
　　TheChancellor'smad。HewaslyinginafitwhenIleftthePalace。
　　Itwillbeinalltheeveningpapers。Youwillheartheboysshoutingitinthestreetswithinafewminutes。Don'tinterruptandI'lltellyouthewholetruth。Youcanbelievemeornot，asyoulike。Itmakesnoodds。Iarrivedpunctuallyandwasshownupintotheanteroom。EvenfromthereIcouldhearloudvoicesintheinnerchamberandIknewthatsomethingwasup。Presentlyalittlefellowcameouttome-adark-beardedchapwithgold-rimmedglasses。
　　Hewasverypolite，introducedhimselfastheChancellor'sphysician，regrettedexceedinglythattheChancellorwasunwellandcouldseenoone，-theexcitementandhardworkofthelastfewdayshadknockedhimout。Well，IstoodtherearguingaspleasantlyasI
　　couldaboutit，andthenallofasuddenthedooroftheinnerroomwasthrownopen。TheChancellorhimselfstoodonthethreshold。
　　Therewasnodoubtabouthisbeingill；hisfacewasaspaleasparchment，hiseyesweresimplywild，andhishairwasallruffledasthoughhehadbeenstandinguponhishead。HebegantotalktothephysicianinGerman。Ididn'tunderstandhimuntilhebegantoswear，-thenitwaswonderful！Intheendhebrushedthemallawayand，takingmebythearm，ledmerightintotheinnerroom。
　　Foralongtimehewentonjabberingawayhalftohimself，andI
　　waswonderinghowonearthtobringtheconversationroundtothethingsIwantedtoknowabout。Then，allofasudden，heturnedtomeandseemedtorememberwhoIwasandwhatIwanted。'Ah！'hesaid，'youareDorward，theAmericanjournalist。Irememberyounow。
　　Lockthedoor。'Iobeyedhimprettyquick，forIhadnoticedtheyweremightyuneasyoutside，andIwasafraidthey'dbedisturbinguseverymoment。'Comeandsitdown，'heordered。Ididsoatonce。'You'reasensiblefellow，'hedeclared。'To-dayeveryoneisworryingme。TheythinkthatIamnotwell。Itisfoolish。I
　　amquitewell。Whowouldnotbewellonsuchadayasthis？'I
　　toldhimthatIhadneverseenhimlookingbetterinmylife，andhenoddedandseemedpleased。'YouhavecometohearthetruthaboutthemeetingofmymasterwiththeCzarandtheEmperorofGermany？'heasked。'That'sso，'Itoldhim。'America'smorethanalittleinterestedinthesethings，andIwanttoknowwhattotellher。'Thenheleanedacrossthetable。'Myyoungfriend，'
　　hesaid，'Ilikeyou。Youarestraightforward。Youspeakplainlyandyoudonotworryme。Itisgood。Youshalltellyourcountrywhatitisthatwehaveplanned，whatthethingsarethatarecoming。Yoursisagreatandwisecountry。Whentheyknowthetruth，theywillrememberthatEuropeisalongwayoffandthatthethingswhichhappentherearereallynoconcernoftheirs。'
　　'Youareright，'Iassuredhim，-'deadright。Treatusopenly，that'sallweask。''ShallInotdothat，myyoungfriend？'heanswered。'Nowlook，Igiveyouthis。'Hefumbledthroughallhispocketsandatlasthedrewoutalongenvelope，sealedatbothendswithblacksealingwaxonwhichwasprintedacoatofarmswithtwotigersfacingeachother。Helookedtowardthedoorcautiously，andtherewasjustthatgleaminhiseyeswhichmadmenalwayshave。
　　'Hereitis，'hewhispered，'writtenwithmyownhand。Thiswilltellyouexactlywhatpassedthisafternoon。Itwilltellyouourplans。Itwilltellyouofthesharewhichmymasterandtheothertwoaretaking。Buttonitupsafely，'hesaid，'and，whateveryoudo，donotletthemknowoutsidethatyouhavegotit。Betweenyouandme，'hewenton，leaningacrossthetable，'somethingseemstohavehappenedtothemallto-day。There'smyolddoctorthere。
　　Heisworryingallthetime，buthehimselfisnotwell。Icanseeitwheneverhecomesnearme。'InoddedasthoughIunderstoodandtheChancellortappedhisforeheadandgrinned。ThenIgotupascasuallyasIcould，forIwasterriblyafraidthathewouldn'tletmego。Weshookhands，andItellyouhisfingerswerelikepiecesofburningcoal。JustasIwasmoving，someoneknockedatthedoor。Thenhebegantostormagain，kickedhischairover，threwapaperweightatthewindow，andtalkedsuchnonsensethatIcouldn'tfollowhim。Iunlockedthedoormyselfandfoundthedoctorthere。
　　Icontrivedtolookasfrightenedaspossible。'HisHighnessisnotwellenoughtotalktome，'Iwhispered。'Youhadbetterlookafterhim。'Iheardashoutbehindandaheavyfall。ThenIclosedthedoorandslippedawayasquietlyasIcould-andhereIam。"
　　Bellamydrewalongbreath。
　　"MyGod，butthisiswonderful！"hemuttered。"HowlongisitsinceyouleftthePalace？"
　　"Abouttenminutesoraquarterofanhour，"Dorwardanswered。
　　"They'llfinditoutatonce，"declaredtheother。"They'llmissthepaper。Perhapshe'lltellthemhimselfthathehasgivenittoyou。Don'tletusrunanyrisks，Dorward。Tearitopen。Letusknowthetruth，atanyrate。Ifyouhavetopartwiththedocument，wecanrememberitscontents。Outwithit，man，quick！。Theymaybehereatanymoment。"
　　Dorwarddrewafewstepsback。Thenheshookhishead。
　　"Iguessnot，"hesaidfirmly。
　　Bellamyregardedhisfriendinblankanduncomprehendingamazement。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"heexclaimed。"You'renotgoingtokeepittoyourself？Youknowwhatitmeanstome-toEngland？"
　　"Youroldcountrycanlookafterherselfprettywell，"Dorwarddeclared。"Anyhow，she'llhavetotakeherchance。Iamnothereasaphilanthropist。IamanAmericanjournalist，andI'llparttonobodywiththebiggestthingthat'severcomeintoanyman'sbands。"
　　Bellamy，withatremendouseffort，maintainedhisself-control。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？"heaskedquickly。"ItellyouI'moffoutofthecountryto-night，"Dorwarddeclared。"IshallheadforEngland。Pearceistherehimself，andItellyouitwillbejustthegreatestdayofmylifewhenIputthispacketinhishand。We'llmakeNewYorkhum，Icanpromiseyou，andEuropetoo。"
　　Bellamy'smannerwasperfectlyquiet-tooquiettobealtogethernatural。Hishandwasstrayingtowardshispocket。
　　"Dorward，"hesaid，speakingrapidly，andkeepinghisbacktothedoor，"youdon'trealizewhatyou'reupagainst。Thissortofthingisnewtoyou。Youhaven'tadog'schanceofleavingViennaalivewiththatinyourpocket。IfyoutrustyourselfintheOrientExpressto-night，you'llneverbeallowedtocrossthefrontier。
　　Bythistimetheyknowthatthepacketismissing；theyknow，too，thatyouaretheonlymanwhocouldhaveit，whethertheChancellorhastoldthemthetruthornot。Openitatoncesothatwegetsomegoodoutofit。Thenwe'llgoroundtotheEmbassy。Wecanslipoutbythebackway，perhaps。RememberIhavespentmylifeintheservice，andItellyouthatthere'snootherplaceinthecitywhereyourlifeisworthasnapofthefingersbutatyourEmbassyormine。Openthepacket，man。"
　　"Ithinknot，"Dorwardansweredfirmly。"IamanAmericancitizen。
　　Ihavebrokennolawsanddonenooneanyharm。Ifthere'sanyslaughteringabout，Iguessthey'llhesitatebeforetheybeginwithArthurDorward……Don'tbeafool，man！"
　　Hetookaquickstepbackward，-hewaslookingintothemuzzleofBellamy'srevolver。
　　"Dorward，"thelatterexclaimed，"Ican'thelpit！Yoursisonlyapersonalambition-Istandformycountry。SharetheknowledgeofthatpacketwithmeorIshallshoot。"
　　"Thenshootandbed——dtoyou！"Dorwarddeclaredfiercely。"Thissmyshow，notyours。Youandyourcountrycangoto-"
　　Hebrokeoffwithoutfinishinghissentence。Therewasathunderousknockingatthedoor。Thetwomenlookedatoneanotherforamoment，speechless。ThenBellamy，withasmotheredoath，replacedtherevolverinhispocket。
　　"You'vethrownawayourchance，"hesaidbitterly。
　　Theknockingwasrepeated。WhenBellamywithashrugoftheshouldersansweredthesummons，threemeninplainclothesentered。
　　TheysalutedBellamy，buttheireyesweretravelingaroundtheroom。
　　"WeareseekingHerrDorward，theAmericanjournalist！"oneexclaimed。
　　"Hewasherebutamomentago。"
　　Bellamypointedtotheinnerdoor。Hehadhadtoomuchexperienceinsuchmatterstoattemptanyprevarication。ThethreemencrossedtheroomquicklyandBellamyfollowedintherear。Heheardacryofdisappointmentfromtheforemostasheopenedthedoor。Theinnerroomwasempty！
　　CHAPTERIII
　　"OURSISASTRANGECOURTSHIP"
　　Louiselookedupeagerlyasheentered。
　　"Thereisnews！"sheexclaimed。"Icanseeitinyourface。"
　　"Yes，"Bellamyanswered，"thereisnews！ThatiswhyIhavecome。
　　Wherecanwetalk？"
　　Sherosetoherfeet。BeforethemtheopenFrenchwindowsledontoasmoothgreenlawn。Shetookhisarm。
　　"Comeoutsidewithme，"shesaid。"IamshutupherebecauseI
　　willnotseethedoctorswhomtheysend，oranyonefromtheOperaHouse。AnenvoyfromthePalacehasbeenandIhavesenthimaway。"
　　"Youmeantokeepyourword，then？"
　　"HaveIeverbrokenit？NeveragainwillIsinginthisCity。Itisso。"
　　Bellamylookedaround。Thegardenofthevillawasenclosedbyhighgraystonewalls。Theyweresecurehere，atleast，fromeavesdroppers。Sherestedherfingerslightlyuponhisarm，holdinguptheskirtsofherloosegownwithherotherhand。
　　"Ihavespokentoyou，"hesaid，"ofDorward，theAmericanjournalist。"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Ofcourse，"sheassented。"YoutoldmethattheChancellorhadpromisedhimaninterviewforto-day。"
　　"Well，hewenttothePalaceandtheChancellorsawhim。"。
　　Shelookedathimwithupraisedeyebrows。
　　"Thenewspapersarefullofliesasusual，then，Isuppose。ThelatesttelegramssaythattheChancellorisdangerouslyill。"
　　"Itisquitetrue，"Bellamydeclared。"WhatIamgoingtotellyouissurprising，butIhaditfromDorwardhimself。WhenhereachedthePalace，theChancellorwaspracticallyinsane。Hisdoctorsweretryingtopersuadehimtogotohisroomandliedown，butheheardDorward'svoiceandinsisteduponseeinghim。Themanwasmad-onthevergeofacollapse-andhehandedovertoDorwardhisnotes，andaverbatimreportofallthatpassedatthePalacethismorning。"
　　Shelookedathimincredulously。
　　"MydearDavid！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Itisamazing，"headmitted，"butitisthetruth。Iknowitforafact。Themanwasabsolutelybesidehimself，hehadnoideawhathewasdoing。"
　　"Whereisit？"sheaskedquickly。"Youhaveseenit？"
　　"Dorwardwouldnotgiveitup，"hesaidbitterly。"Whilewearguedinoursitting-roomatthehotelthepolicearrived。Dorwardescapedthroughthebedroomanddowntheservicestairs。HespokeoftryingtocatchtheOrientExpressto-night，butIdoubtiftheywilleverlethimleavethecity。"
　　"Itiswonderful，this，"shemurmuredsoftly。"Whatareyougoingtodo？"
　　"Louise，youandIhavefewsecretsfromeachother。IwouldhavekilledDorwardtoobtainthatsealedenvelope，becauseIbelievethattheknowledgeofitscontentsinLondonto-daywouldsaveusfromdisaster。Toknowhowfareachispledged，andfromwhichdirectionthefirstblowistocome，wouldbeoursalvation。"
　　"Icannotunderstand，"shesaid，"whyheshouldhaverefusedtosharehisknowledgewithyou。HeisanAmerican-itisalmostthesamethingasbeinganEnglishman。Andyouarefriends，-Iamsurethatyouhavehelpedhimoften。"
　　"Itwasamatterofvanity-simplycursedvanity，"Bellamyanswered。
　　"Itwouldhavebeenthegreatestjournalisticsuccessofmoderntimesforhimtohaveprintedthatdocument，wordforword，inhispaper。Hefightsforhisownhandalone。"
　　"Andyou？"shewhispered。
　　"Hewillhavetoreckonwithme，"Bellamydeclared。"IknowthatheisgoingtotryandleaveViennato-night，andifhedoesIshallbeathisheels。"
　　Shenoddedherheadthoughtfully。
　　"I，too，"sheannounced。"Icomewithyou，myfriend。Idonomoregoodhere，andtheyworrymylifeoutallthetime。IcometosinginLondonatCoventGarden。Ihaveagreementstherewhichonlyawaitmysignature。Wewillgotogether；isitnotso？"
　　"Verywell，"heanswered，"onlyrememberthatmymovementsmustdependverylargelyuponDorward's。Thetrainleavesateighto'clock，stationtime。Ihavealreadyacoupereserved。"
　　"Icomewithyou，"shemurmured。"Iamverywearyofthiscity。"
　　Theywalkedonforafewpacesinsilence。Bellamylookedaroundthegardens，brilliantwithfloweringshrubsandrosetrees，withhereandtheresomedelicatepieceofstatuaryhalf-hiddenamongstthewealthoffoliage。Thevillahadoncebelongedtoaroyalfavorite，andthegroundshadbeenitschiefglory。Theyreachedashelteredseatandsatdown。Afewyardsawayatinywaterfallcametumblingovertherocksintoadeeppool。Theywerehiddenfromthewindowsofthevillabytheboughsofadroopingchestnuttree。Bellamystoopedandkissedheruponthelips。
　　"Oursisastrangecourtship，Louise，"hewhisperedsoftly。
　　Shetookhishandinhersandsmoothedit。Shehadreturnedhiskiss，butshedrewalittlefurtherawayfromhim。
　　"Ah！mydearfriend，"lookingathimwithsorrowinhereyes，"courtshipisscarcelytheword，isit？Foryouandmethereisnothingtohopefor，nothingbeyond。"
　　Heleanedtowardsher。
　　"Neverbelievethat，"hebegged。"Thesedaysaredarkenough，Heavenknows，yettheworkofeveryonehasitsgoal。Evenourturnmaycome。"
　　Somethingflickeredforamomentinherface，somethingwhichseemedtomakeadifferentwomanofher。Bellamysawit，andhardenedthoughhewashefelttheslowstirringofhisownpulses。Hekissedherhandpassionatelyandsheshivered。
　　"Wemustnottalkofthesethings，"shesaid。"Wemustnotthinkofthem。Atleastourfriendshiphasbeenwonderful。NowImustgoin。Imusttellmymaidandarrangetostealawayto-night。"
　　Theystoodup，andheheldherinhisarmsforamoment。Thoughherlipsmethisfreelyenough，hewasveryconsciousofthereservewithwhichsheyieldedherselftohim，consciousofitandthankful，too。Theywalkedupthepathtogether，andastheywentshepluckedaredroseandthrustitthroughhisbuttonhole。
　　"Ifwehadnodreams，"shesaidsoftly，"lifewouldnotbepossible。
　　Perhapssomedayevenwemaypluckrosestogether。"
　　Heraisedherfingerstohislips。Itwasnotoftenthattheylapsedintosentiment。Whenshespokeagainitwasfinished。
　　"Youhadbetterleave，"shetoldhim，"bythegardengate。Therearetheusualcrowdinmyanteroom，anditiswellthatyouandI
　　arenotseentoomuchtogether。"
　　"Tillthisevening，"hewhispered，asheturnedaway。"Ishallbeatthestationearly。IfDorwardistaken，IshallstillleaveVienna。
　　Ifhegoes，itmaybeaneventfuljourney。"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　THENIGHTTRAINFROMVIENNA
　　Dorwood，whistlingsoftlytohimself，satinacornerofhiscouperollinginnumerablecigarettes。Hewasamanofunboundedcourageandwonderfulresource，butwithaslightlyexaggeratedideaastothesanctityofanAmericancitizen。Hehadservedhisapprenticeshipinhisowncountry，andhisnamehadbecomeahouseholdwordowingtohisbrilliantsuccessaswarcorrespondentintheRusso-JapaneseWar。HisexperienceofEuropeancountries，however，waslimited。Afterthemoreobviousdangerswithwhichhehadgrappledandwhichhehadovercomeduringhisadventurouscareer，hewasdisposedtobealittlecontemptuousofthesubtlerperilsatwhichhisfriendBellamyhadplainlyhinted。Hehadmadehisescapefromthehotelwithoutanyveryseriousdifficulty，andsincethattime，althoughhehadtakennoparticularprecautions，hehadremainedunmolested。Fromhisownpointofview，therefore，itwasperhapsonlyreasonablethatheshouldnolongerhaveanymisgivingastohispersonalsafety。ARRESTasathiefwastheworstwhichhehadfeared。Eventhatheseemednowtohaveevaded。
　　Thecoupewasexceedinglycomfortableand，afterall，hehadhadasomewhatexcitingday。Helitacigaretteandstretchedhimselfoutwithamurmurofimmensesatisfaction。Hewascloseuponthegreattriumphofhislife。Hewasperfectlycontenttoliethereandlookoutupontheflyinglandscape，uponwhichtheshadowswerenowfastdescending。Hewassafe，absolutelysafe，heassuredhimself。Nevertheless，whenthedoorofhiscoupewasopened，hestartedalmostlikeaguiltyman。Thereliefinhisfaceasherecognizedhisvisitorwasobvious。ItwasBellamywhoenteredanddroppedintoaseatbyhisside。
　　"Wastingyourtime，aren'tyou？"thelatterremarked，pointingtothegrowingheapofcigarettes。
　　"Well，Iguessnot，"Dorwardanswered。"IcansmokethislotbeforewereachLondon。"
　　Bellamysmiledenigmatically。
　　"Idon'tthinkthatyouwill，"hesaid。
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Youaresuchasanguineperson，"Bellamysighed。"Personally，I
　　donotthinkthatthereistheslightestchanceofyourreachingLondonatall。"
　　Dorwardlaughedscornfully。
　　"Andwhynot？"heasked。
　　Bellamymerelyshruggedhisshoulders。Dorwardseemedtofindthegestureirritating。
　　"You'vegotespionageonthebrain，mydearfriend，"hedeclareddryly。"Isupposeit'stheresultofyourprofession。ImaynotknowsomuchaboutEuropeasyoudo，butIaminclinedtothinkthatanAmericancitizentravelingwithhispassportonatrainlikethisismoderatelysafe，especiallywhenhe'snotaboveascrapbywayoftakingcareofhimself。"
　　"You'reapluckyfellow，"remarkedBellamy。
　　"Idon'tseeanypluckaboutit。InVienna，Imustadmit，I
　　shouldn'thavebeensurprisedifthey'dtriedtofakeupsomesortofchargeagainstme，butanyhowtheydidn't。Guessthey'dfinditaprettytallordertryingtointerferewithanAmericancitizen。"
　　Bellamylookedathisfriendcuriously。
　　"Isupposeyou'renotbluffing，byanychance，Dorward？"hesaid。
　　"Youreallybelievewhatyousay？"
　　"Whyinthundershouldn'tI？"Dorwardasked。
　　Bellamysighed。
　　"MydearDorward，"hesaid，"itisamazingtomethatamanofyourexperienceshouldtalkandbehavelikeababy。You'vetakensomenoticeofyourfellow-passengers，Isuppose？"
　　"I'veseenafewofthem，"Dorwardansweredcarelessly。"Whataboutthem？"
　　"Nothingmuch，"Bellamydeclared，"exceptthatthereare，tomycertainknowledge，threehighofficialsoftheSecretPoliceofAustriainthenextcoupebutone，andatleastfourorfiveoftheirsubordinatessomewhereonboardthetrain。"
　　Dorwardwithdrewhiscigarettefromhismouthandlookedathisfriendkeenly。
　　"Iguessyou'retryingtoscareme，Bellamy，"heremarked。
　　ButBellamywassuddenlygrave。Therehadcomeintohisfaceanutterlyalteredexpression。Histone，whenhespoke，wasalmostsolemn。
　　"Dorward，"hesaid，"uponmyhonor，IassureyouthatwhatIhavetoldyouisthetruth。Icannotseemtomakeyourealizetheseriousnessofyourposition。WhenyouleftthePalacewiththatpaperinyourpocket，youwere，toallintentsandpurposes，adoomedman。YourpassportandyourAmericancitizenshipcountforabsolutelynothing。Ihavecomeintowarnyouthatifyouhaveanylastmessagestoleave，youhadbettergivethemtomenow。"
　　"Thisisaprettygoodbluffyou'reputtingup！"Dorwardexclaimedcontemptuously。"Thelongandshortofitis，Isuppose，thatyouwantmetobreakthesealofthisdocumentandletyoureadit。"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"Itistoolateforthat，Dorward，"hesaid。"Ifthesealwerebroken，they'dverysoonguesswhereIcamein，anditwouldn'thelptheworkIhaveinhandformetobepickedupwithabulletinmyforeheadontherailwaytrack。"
　　Dorwardfrowneduneasily。
　　"Whatareyouherefor，anyway，then？"heasked。
　　"Well，frankly，nottoarguewithyou，"Bellamyanswered。"Asamatteroffact，youareofnousetomeanylonger。Iamsorry，oldman。Youcan'tsaythatIdidn'tgiveyougoodadvice。Iamboundtoplayformyownhand，though，inthismatter，andifI
　　getanybenefitatalloutofmyjourney，itwillbeaftersomeregrettableaccidenthashappenedtoyou。"
　　"Say，ringthebellfordrinksandchuckthis！"Dorwardexclaimed。
　　"I'vehadaboutenoughofit。Iamnotdenyinganythingyousay，butifthesefellowsreallyareonboard，they'llthinktwicebeforetheymeddlewithme。"
　　"Onthecontrary，"Bellamyassuredhim，"theywillnottakethetroubletothinkatall。Theirmindsareperfectlymadeupastowhattheyaregoingtodo。However，that'sfinished。Ihavenothingmoretosay。
　　Dorwardgazedforaminuteortwofixedlyoutofthewindow。
　　"Lookhere，Bellamy，"hesaid，turningabruptlyround，"supposingIchangemymind，supposingIopenthispreciousdocumentandletyoureaditoverwithme？"
　　Bellamyrosehastilytohisfeet。
　　"Youmustnotthinkofit！"heexclaimed。"Youwouldsimplywritemydeath-warrant。Don'talludetothatmatteragain。I
　　haveriskedenoughincominginheretositwithyou。"
　　"Then，forHeaven'ssake，don'tstopanylonger！"Dorwardsaidirritably。"Yougetonmynerveswithallthisfoolishtalk。Inanhour'stimeIamgoingtoboltmydoorandgotosleep。We'llbreakfasttogetherinthemorning，ifyoulike。"
　　Bellamysaidnothing。ThestewardhadbroughtthemthewhiskiesandsodaswhichDorwardhadordered。Bellamyraisedhistumblertohislipsandsetitdownagain。
　　"Forgiveme，"hesaid，"IdonotthinkthatIamthirsty。"
　　Dorwarddrankhisoffatagulp。Almostimmediatelyheclosedhiseyes。Bellamy，withalittleshrugoftheshoulders，lefthimalone。Ashepassedalongtohisowncoupe，hemetLouiseinthecorridor。
　　"YouhaveseenVonBehrling？"hewhispered。Shenodded。
　　"Heisinthatcoupe，number7，alone，"shesaid。"Iinvitedhimtocomeinwithmebutheseemedembarrassed。Itishiscompanionswhowatchhimallthetime。Hehaspromisedtotalkwithmelater。"
　　Inthemiddleofthenight，LouiseopenedhereyestofindBellamybendingoverher。
　　"Louise，"hewhispered，"itisVonBehrlingwhowilltakepossessionofthepacket。TheyhavebeendiscussingwhetheritwillnotbesafertogoontoLondoninsteadofdoublingback。SeeVonBehrlingagain。DoallyoucantopersuadehimtocometoLondon，-allyoucan，Louise，remember。"
　　"So！"shewhispered。"Ishallputonmydressing-gownandsitinthecorridor。Itishothere。"
　　Bellamyglidedout，closingthedoorsoftlybehindhim。Thetrainwasrushingonnowthroughtheblacknessofanunusuallydarknight。
　　Forsometimehesatinhisowncompartment，listening。Thevoiceswhosemutteredconversationhehadoverheardweresilentnow，butoncehefanciedthatheheardshufflingfootstepsandalittlecry。
　　InhisheartheknewwellthatbeforemorningDorwardwouldhavedisappeared。Themanwithinhimwashardtosubdue。HelongedtomakehiswaytoDorward'sside，tointerfereinthisterriblyunequalstruggle，yethemadenomovement。Dorwardwasamanandafriend，butwhatwasalifemoreorless？Itwastoagreatercausethathewaspledged。Towardsthreeo'clockhelaydownonhisbedandslept……
　　Thetrainattendantbroughthimhiscoffeesoonafterdaylight。Theman'shandsweretrembling。
　　"Wherearewe？"Bellamyaskedsleepily。
　　"NearMunich，Monsieur，"themananswered。"Monsieurnoticed，perhaps，thatwestoppedforsometimeinthenight？"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"Isleepsoundly，"hesaid。"Iheardnothing。"
　　"Therehasbeenanaccident，"themandeclared。"AnAmericangentlemanwhogotinatViennawasdrinkingwhiskeyallnightandbecameverydrunk。Inatunnelhethrewhimselfoutupontheline。"
　　Bellamyshudderedalittle。Hehadbeenprepared，butnonethelessitwasanawfulthing，this。
　　"Youaresurethatheisdead？"heasked。
　　Themanwasverysureindeed。
　　"ThereisadoctorfromViennauponthetrain，sir，"hesaid。"Heexaminedhimatonce，butdeathmusthavebeeninstantaneous。"
　　Bellamydrewalongbreathandcommencedtoputonhisclothes。
　　Thenextmovewasforhim。
　　CHAPTERV
　　"VONBEHRLINGHASTHEPACKET"
　　Bellamystolealongthehalf-litcorridorsofthetrainuntilhecametothecoup6whichhadbeenreservedforMademoiselleIdiale。
　　Assuredthathewasnotwatched，hesoftlyturnedthehandleofthedoorandentered。Louisewassittingupinherdressing-gown，drinkinghercoffee。Hehelduphisfingerandshegreetedhimonlywithanod。
　　"Forgiveme，Louise，"hewhispered，"Idarednotknock，andIwasobligedtoseeyouatonce。"
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Itisofnoconsequence，"shesaid。"Oneisalwayspreparedhere。
　　Theporter，theticket-man，andatthecustoms-theyallenter。
　　Isanythingwrong？"
　　"Ithashappened，"heanswered。
　　Sheshiveredalittleandherfacebecamegrave。
　　"Poorfellow！"shemurmured。
　　"Hesimplysatstillandaskedforit，"Bellamydeclared，stillspeakinginacautiousundertone。"Hewouldnotbewarned。Icouldhavesavedhim，ifanyonecould，buthewouldnothearreason。"
　　"Hewaswhatyoucallpig-headed，"sheremarked。
　　"Hehaspaidthepenalty，"Bellamycontinued。"Nowlistentome，Louise。IgotintothatsmallcoupenexttoVonBehrling's，andI
　　feelsure，fromwhatIoverheard，thattheywillgoontoLondon，allthreeofthem。"
　　"Whoisthereonthetrain？"shedemanded。
　　"BaronStreuss，whoisheadoftheSecretPolice，VonBehrlingandAdolfKahn，"Bellamyanswered。"ThentherearefourorfiveSecretServicemenoftherankandfile，buttheyarealltravelingseparately。VonBehrlinghasthepacket。Theothersformasortofcordonaroundhim。"
　　"Butwhy，"sheasked，"doeshegoontoLondon？WhynotreturntoVienna？"
　　"Foronething，"Bellamyreplied，withagrimsmile，"theyareafraidofme。ThenyoumustrememberthatthisaffairofDorwardwillbetalkedabout。Theydonotwanttoseeminanywayimplicated。Toreturnfromanyoneofthesestationsdownthelinewouldcreatesuspicion。"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Well？"
　　"Iamgoingtoleavethetrainatthenextstop，"hecontinued。"I
　　findthatIshalljustcatchtheNorthernExpresstoBerlin。FromthereIshallcomeontoLondonasquicklyasIcan。Youknowtheaddressofmyrooms？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"15，FitzroyStreet。"
　　"WhenIgetthere，letmehavealinewaitingtotellmewhereI
　　canseeyou。WhileIamonthetrainyouwillfindVonBehrlingalmostinaccessible。DirectlyIhavegoneitwillbedifferent。
　　Playwithhimcarefully。Heshouldnotbedifficult。Totellyouthetruth，Iamrathersurprisedthathehasbeentrusteduponamissionlikethis。HewasindisgracewiththeChancellorashortwhileago，andIknowthathewashurtatnotbeingallowedtoattendtheconference。Theotherswillwatchhimclosely，buttheycannotoverheareverythingthatpassesbetweenyoutwo。VonBehrlingisapoorman。Youwillknowhowtomakehimwishhewererich。"
　　Veryslowlyhereyebrowsroseup。Shelookedathimdoubtfully。
　　"Itisaslenderchance，David，"sheremarked。"VonBehrlingisalittlewild，Iknow，andhepretendstobeverymuchinlovewithme，butIdonotthinkthathewouldsellhiscountry。Then，too，seehowhewillbewatched。Idonotsupposethattheywillleaveusaloneforamoment。"
　　Bellamytookherhandsinhis，grippingthemwithalmostunnaturalforce。
　　"Louise，"hedeclaredearnestly，"youdon'tquiterealizeVonBehrling'sspecialweaknessandyourextraordinarystrength。Youknowthatyouarebeautiful，Isuppose，butyoudonotquiteknowwhatthatmeans。Ihaveheardmentalkaboutyoutillonewouldthinkthattheywerechildren。Youhavesomethingofthatartorguile-callitwhatyouwill-whichpassesfromyouthroughaman'sbloodtohisbrain，andcarrieshimindeedtoHeaven-butcarrieshimtheremad。Louise，don'tbeangrywithmeforwhatI
　　say。RememberthatIknowmysex。Iknowyou，too，andItrustyou，butyoucanturnVonBehrlingfromasane，honorablemanintowhatyouwill，withoutsufferingevenhislipstotouchyourfingers。VonBehrlinghasthatpacketinhispossession。WhenI
　　cometoseeyouinLondon，IwillbringyoutwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes。WiththatVonBehrlingmightfancyhimselfonhiswaytoAmerica-withyou。"
　　Sheclosedhereyesforamoment。Perhapsshewishedtokeephiddenfromhimthethoughtswhichchasedoneanotherthroughherbrain。
　　Hewishedtomakeuseofher-ofher，thewomanwhomheloved。
　　Thensherememberedthatitwasforhercountryandhis，andtheangerpassed。
　　"ButIamafraid，"shesaidsoftly，"thatthemomenttheyreachLondonthisdocumentwillbetakentotheAustrianEmbassy。"
　　"Beforethen，"Bellamydeclared，"VonBehrlingmustnotknowwhetherheisinheavenoruponearth。ItwillnotbeopenedinLondon。
　　HecanmakeupanotherpackettoresemblepreciselytheoneofwhichherobbedDorward。Oh！itisadifficultgame，Iknow，butitisworthplaying。Remember，Louise，thatwearenotpettyconspirators。
　　Itisyourcountry'sveryexistencethatisthreatened。ItisforhersakeaswellasforEngland。"
　　"Ishalldomybest，"shemurmured，lookingintohisface。"Oh，youmaybesurethatIshalldomybest！"
　　Bellamyraisedherfingerstohislipsandstoleaway。Theelectriclampshadbeenturnedout，butthemorningwascloudyandthelightdim。Backinhisownberth，heputhisthingstogether，readytoleaveatMunich。Thenherangfortheporter。
　　"Iamgettingoutatthenextstop，"heannounced。
　　"Verygood，Monsieur，"themananswered。
　　Bellamylookedathimclosely。
　　"YouareaFrenchman？"
　　"Itisso，Monsieur！"
　　"Imaybewrong，"Bellamycontinuedslowly，"butIbelievethatifIaskedyouaquestionanditconcernedsomeGermansandAustriansyouwouldtellmethetruth。"
　　Theman'sgesturewasinimitable。Englishmentohimwereobviouslythesaltoftheearth。GermansandAustrians-why，theyexistedasthecattleinthefields-nothingmore。Bellamygavehimasovereign。
　　"TherewerethreeAustrianswhogotinatVienna，"hesaid。"Theyareinnumberstenandeleven。"
　　"Butyes，Monsieur！"themanassented。"AsyetIthinktheyarefastasleep。Notoneofthemhasrungforhiscoffee。"
　　"Wherearetheybookedfor？"
　　"ForLondon，Monsieur。"
　　"Youdonothappen，"Bellamycontinued，"tohaveheardthemsayanythingaboutleavingthetrainbeforethen？"
　　"Onthecontrary，sir，"theporteranswered，"twoofthegentlemenhavebeeninquiringabouttheboatacrosstoDover。Theywereveryanxioustotravelbyaturbine。"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"Thankyouverymuch。YouwillbesodiscreetastoforgetthatI
　　haveaskedyouanyquestionsconcerningthem。Asforme，ifonewouldknow，IamonmywaytoBerlin。"
　　Thebellrang。ThemanlookedoutsideandputhisheadoncemoreinBellamy'scoupe。
　　"Itisoneofthegentlemanwhohasrung，"hedeclared。"Ifanythingissaidaboutleavingthetrain，IshallreportitatoncetoMonsieur。"
　　"Youwilldowell，"Bellamyanswered。
　　Theporterreturnedinafewmoments。
　　"Twoofthegentlemen，sir，"heannounced，"areundressedandintheirpyjamas。TheyhaveorderedtheirbreakfasttobeservedafterweleaveMunich。"
　　Bellamynodded。
　　"Further，sir，"themancontinued，comingalittlecloser，"oneofthemaskedmewhethertheEnglishgentleman-meaningyou-wasgoingthroughtoLondonornot。ItoldthemthatyouweregettingoutatthenextstationandthatIthoughtyouweregoingtoBerlin。"
　　"Quiteright，"Bellamysaid。"Iftheyaskanymorequestions，letmeknow。"