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