Heheldouthisarmsandshecametohimwithalittlesighofsatisfaction。
　　"Louise，"hesaid，"somedaythetimemaycomewhenweshallbeabletogiveupthislifeofanxietyandterrors。Butitcannotbeyet-notforyourcountry'ssakeormine。
　　Shekissedhimfondly。
　　"Solongasthereishope！"shewhispered。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　VONBEHRLING'SFATE
　　ItseemedtoLouisethatshehadscarcelybeeninbedanhourwhenthemoreconfidentialofhermaids-Annette，theFrenchwoman-wokeherwithalighttouchofthearm。Shesatupinbedsleepily。
　　"Whatisit，Annette？"sheasked。"Surelyitisnotmid-dayyet？
　　Whydoyoudisturbme？"
　　"Itisbarelynineo'clock，Mademoiselle，butMonsieurBellamy-
　　Mademoiselletoldmethatshewishedtoreceivehimwheneverhecame。
　　Heisintheboudoirnow，andveryimpatient。"
　　"Didhesendanymessage？"
　　"Onlythathisbusinesswasofthemosturgent，"themaidreplied。
　　Louisesighed，-shewasreallyverysleepy。Then，asthethoughtsbegantocrowdintoherbrain，shebeganalsotoremember。Somepartoftheexcitementofafewhoursagoreturned。
　　"Mybath，Annette，andadressing-gown，"sheordered。"TellMonsieurBellamythatIhurry。Iwillbewithhimintwentyminutes。"
　　ToBellamy，thetwentyminuteswereminutesofpurgatory。Shecameatlast，however，freshandeager；herhairtiedupwithribbon，sheherselfcladinapinkdressing-gownandpinkslippers。
　　"David！"shecried，-"mydearDavid-！"
　　Thenshebrokeoff。
　　"Whatisit？"sheasked，inadifferenttone。
　　Heshowedhertheheadlinesofthenewspaperhewascarrying。
　　"Tragedy！"heansweredhoarsely。"VonBehrlingwastrue，afterall，-atleast，itseemsso。"
　　"Whathashappened？"shedemanded。
　　Bellamypointedoncemoretothenewspaper。
　　"Hewasmurderedlastnight，withinfiftyyardsoftheplaceofourrendezvous。"
　　AlittleexclamationbrokefromLouise'slips。Shesatdownsuddenly。Thecolorcalledintohercheeksbytheexerciseofherbathwasrapidlyfadingaway。
　　"David，"shemurmured，"isthistrue？"
　　"Itisindeed，"Bellamyassuredher。"Notonlythat，butthereisnomentionofhispocket-bookintheaccountofhismurder。ItmusthavebeenengineeredbyStreussandtheothers，andtheyhavegotawaywiththepocket-bookandthemoney。"
　　"Whatcanwedo？"sheasked。
　　"Thereisnothingtobedone，"Bellamydeclaredcalmly。"Wearedefeated。Thethingisquiteapparent。VonBehrlingneversucceeded，afterall，inshakingofftheespionageofthemenwhowerewatchinghim。Theytrackedhimtoourrendezvous，theywaitedaboutwhileImethim。Afterwards，hehadtopassalonganarrowpassage。Itwastherethathewasfoundmurdered。"
　　"But，David，Idon'tunderstand！Whydidtheywaituntilafterhehadseenyou？Howdidtheyknowthathehadnotpartedwiththepaperintherestaurant？Toallintentsandpurposesheoughttohavedoneso。"
　　"Icannotunderstandthatmyself，"Bellamyadmitted。"Infact，itisinexplicable。"
　　Shetookupthenewspaperandglancedatthereport。Then，"Youaresure，Isuppose，thatthisdoesrefertoVonBehrling？Heisquiteunidentified，yousee。"
　　"Thereisnodoubtaboutit，"Bellamydeclared。"IhavebeentotheMortuary。Itiscertainlyhe。Allourworkhasbeeninvain-justasIthought，too，thatwehadmadeasplendidsuccessofit。"
　　Shelookedathimcompassionately。
　　"Itishardlines，dear，"sheadmitted。"Youaretired，too。Youlookasthoughyouhadbeenupallnight。"
　　"Yes，Iamtired，"heanswered，sinkingintoachair。"Iamworsethantired。Thishasbeenthegrossestfailureofmycareer，andI
　　amafraidthatitistheendofeverything。IhavelosttwentythousandpoundsofSecretServicemoney；IhavelosttheonechancewhichmighthavesavedEngland。Theywillnevertrustmeagain。"
　　"Youdidyourbest，"shesaid，comingoverandsittingonthearmofhischair。"Youdidyourbest，David。"
　　Shelaidherhandsuponhisforehead，hercheekagainsthis-smoothandcold-exquisitelyrefreshingitseemedtohisjadednerves。
　　"Ah，Louise！"hemurmured，"lifeisgettingalittletoostrenuous。
　　Perhapswehavegiventoomuchofituptoothers。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Dear，Ihavefeltlikethatsometimes，yetwhatcanwedo？Couldwebehappy，youandI，inexile，ifthethingswhichwedreadwerecomingtopass？CouldIgoawayandhidewhilemycountrymenwerebeingbutcheredoutofexistence？-Andyou-youarenotthesortofmantobecontentwithanignoblepeace。No，itisn'tpossible。
　　Ourworkmaynotbeoveryet-"
　　Therewasaknockatthedoor，andAnnetteenteredwithmanyapologies。
　　"Mademoiselle，"sheexplained，"athousandpardons，andtoMonsieuralso，butthereisagentlemanherewhosaysthathisbusinessisofthemosturgentimportance，andthathemustseeyouatonce。I
　　havedoneallthatIcan，buthewillnotgoaway。HeknowsthatMonsieurBellamyishere，too，"sheadded，turningtohim，"andhesayshisbusinesshastodowithMonsieuraswellasMademoiselle。"
　　Bellamyalmostsnatchedthecardfromthegirl'sfingers。Hereadoutthenameinblankamazement。
　　"BarondeStreuss！"
　　Therewasamoment'ssilence。Louiseandheexchangedwonderingglances。
　　"Whatcanthismean？"sheaskedhoarsely。
　　"Heavenknows！"heanswered。"Letusseehimtogether。Afterall-afterall-"
　　"Youcanshowthegentlemanin，Annette，"hermistressordered。
　　"Ifhehasthepapers，"Bellamycontinuedslowly，"whydoeshecometous？Itisnotlikethesementobevindictive。Diplomacytothemisnothing-agameofchess。Idonotunderstand。"
　　Thedooropened。Annetteannouncedtheirvisitor。StreussbowedlowtoLouise-hebowed，also，toBellamy。
　　"Ineednotintroducemyself，"hesaid。"WithMr。BellamyIhavethehonortobewellacquainted。Madameisknowntoalltheworld。"
　　Louisenodded，somewhatcoldly。
　　"Wecandispensewithanintroduction，Ithink，MonsieurleBaron，"
　　shesaid。"Atthesametime，youwillperhapsexplaintowhatI
　　owethissomewhatunexpectedpleasure？"
　　"Mademoiselle，anexplanationtheremustcertainlybe。Iknowthatitisanimpossiblehour。Iknow，too，thattohaveforcedmypresenceuponyouinthismannermayseemdiscourteous。Yettheurgencyofthematter，Iamconvinced，justifiesme。
　　Louisemotionedhimtoachair，buthedeclinedwithalittlebowofthanks。
　　"Mademoiselle，"hesaid，"andyou，Mr。Bellamy，weneednotwastewords。Wehaveplayedagameofchesstogether。You，Mademoiselle，andMr。Bellamyontheoneside-Iandmyfriendsupontheother。
　　ThehonorofRudolphVonBehrlingwasthepawnforwhichwefought。
　　Thevictoryremainswithyou。"
　　Bellamynevermovedamuscle。Louise，onthecontrary，couldnothelpaslightstart。
　　"Underthecircumstances，"theBaroncontinuedsmoothly，"thestrugglewasuneven。IdomyselfthejusticetorememberthatfromthefirstIrealizedthatweplayedalosinggame。Mademoiselle，"
　　headded，"fromthedaysofCleopatra-ay，andthroughoutthoseshadowydayswhichliebeyond-thediplomatsoftheworldhavebeenpowerlesswhenmatchedagainstyoursex。RudolphVonBehrlingwasanhonestfellowenoughuntilhelookedintoyoureyes。Mademoiselle，youhavegiftswhichmight，perhaps，havedrivenfromhissensesastrongerman。
　　Louisesmiled，buttherewasnosuggestionofmirthinthecurlofherlips。Hereyesallthetimesoughthisquestioningly。Shedidnotunderstand。
　　"Youflatterme，Baron，"shemurmured。
　　"No，Idonotflatteryou，Ispeakthetruth。Thisplaintalkingispleasantenoughwhenthetimecomesthatonemayindulgeinit。
　　Thattime，Ithink，isnow。RudolphVonBehrling，againstmyadvice，butbecausehewastheChancellor'snephew，wasassociatedwithmeinacertainenterprise，thenatureofwhichisnosecrettoyou，Mademoiselle，ortoMr。Bellamyhere。Wefollowedamanwho，bysomestrangechance，wasinpossessionofafewsheetsoffoolscap，thecontentsofwhichwerealikepricelesstomycountryandpricelesstoyours。Thesubsequenthistoryofthosepapersshouldhavebeenautomatic。Thefirststepwasfulfilledreadilyenough。
　　Themandisappeared-thepaperswereours。VonBehrlingwasthemanwhosecuredthem，andVonBehrlingitwaswhoretainedthem。
　　Ifmyadvicehadbeenfollowed，IadmitfranklythatweshouldhaveignoredallpossiblecommentandreturnedwiththematoncetoVienna。Theothersthoughtdifferently。TheyruledthatweshouldcomeontoLondonanddepositthepacketwithourAmbassadorhere。
　　InaweakmomentIconsented。Itwasyouropportunity，Mademoiselle，anopportunityofwhichyouhavesplendidlyavailedyourself。"
　　ThistimeLouiseheldherselfwithcomposure。Bellamy'sbrainwasinawhirlbutheremainedsilent。
　　"Icometoyouboth，"theBaroncontinued，"withmyhandsopen。I
　　come-Imakenosecretofit-Icometomaketerms。ButfirstofallImustknowwhetherIamintime。ThereisonequestionwhichImustask。Iaddressit，sir，toyou，"headded，turningtoBellamy。"HaveyouyetplacedinthehandsofyourGovernmentthepaperswhichyouobtainedfromVonBehrling？"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　TheBarondrewalongbreathofrelief。Thoughhehadmaintainedhissavoirfaireperfectly，thefingerswhichforamomentplayedwithhistie，asthoughtorearrangeit，weretrembling。
　　"Well，then，Iamintime。Willyouseemyhand？"
　　"MademoiselleandI，"answeredBellamy，"areatleastreadytolistentoanythingyoumayhavetosay。"
　　"Youknowquitewell，"theBaroncontinued，"whatitisthatIhavecometosay，yetIwantyoutorememberthis。Idonotcometobribeyouinanyordinarymanner。Thethingswhicharetocomewillhappen；theymusthappen，ifnotthisyear，next，-ifnotnextyear，withinhalfadecadeofyears。Historyisanabsolutescience。Thefutureaswellasthepastcanbereadbythosewhoknowthesigns。
　　Thethingwhichhasbeenresolveduponiscertain。TheknowledgeofthecontentsofthosepapersbyyourGovernmentmightdelaythefinalcatastropheforashortwhile；itcoulddonomore。Inthelongrun，itwouldbebetterforyourcountry，Mr。Bellamy，ineveryway，thattheendcomesoon。Therefore，Iaskyoutoperformnotraitorousdeed。Iaskyoutodothatwhichissimplyreasonableforallofus，whichis，indeed，fortheadvantageofallofus。
　　restorethosepaperstomeinsteadofhandingthemtoyourGovernment，andIwillpayyouforthemthesumofonehundredthousandpounds！"
　　"Onehundredthousandpounds"Bellamyrepeated。
　　"Onehundredthousandpounds！"murmuredLouise。
　　Therewasabrief，intensepause。Louisewaited，warnedbytheexpressioninBellamy'sface。Silence，shefelt，wassafest，anditwasBellamywhospoke。
　　"Baron，"saidhe，"yourvisitandyourproposalarebothalittleamazing。ForgivemeifIspeakalonewithMademoiselleforamoment。"
　　"Mostcertainly，"theBaronagreed。"Igoawayandleaveyou-outoftheroom，ifyouwill。"
　　"Itisnotnecessary，"Bellamyreplied。"Louise！"TheBaronwithdrewtothewindow，andBellamyledLouiseintothefurthestcorneroftheroom。
　　"Whatcanitmean？"hewhispered。"Whatdoyousupposehashappened？"
　　"Icannotimagine。Mybrainisinawhirl。"
　　"Iftheyhavenotgotthepocket-book，"Bellamymuttered，"itmusthavegonewithVonBehrlingtotheMortuary。Ifso，thereisachance。Louise，saynothing；leavethistome。"
　　"Asyouwill，"sheassented。"Ihavenowishtointerfere。Ionlyhopethathedoesnotaskmeanyquestions。"
　　Theycameoncemoreintothemiddleoftheroom，andtheBaronturnedtomeetthem。
　　"YoumustforgiveMademoiselle，"saidBellamy，"ifsheisalittleupsetthismorning。Sheknows，ofcourse，asIknowandyouknow，thatVonBehrlingwasplayingadesperategame，andthathecarriedhislifeinhishands。Yethisdeathhasbeenashock-hasbeenashock，Imaysay，tobothofus。Fromyourpointofview，"Bellamywenton，"itwasdoubtlessdeserved，but-"
　　"What，inGod'sname，isthisthatyousay？"theBaroninterrupted。
　　"Idonotunderstandatall！YouspeakofVonBehrling'sdeath！
　　Whatdoyoumean？"
　　Bellamylookedathimasonewholistenstostrangewords。
　　"Baron，"hesaid，"betweenuswhoknowsomuchthereissurelynoneedforyoutoplayapart。VonBehrlingknewthatyouwerewatchinghim。Yourspieswereshadowinghimastheyhavedoneme。
　　Heknewthathewasrunningterriblerisks。Hewasnotunpreparedandhehaspaid。Itisnotforus-"
　　"Now，inGod'sname，tellmethetruth！"BarondeStreussinterruptedoncemore。"WhatisitthatyouaresayingaboutVonBehrling'sdeath？"
　　Bellamydrewalittlebreathbetweenhisteeth。Heleanedforwardwithhishandsrestinguponthetable。
　　"Doyoumeantosaythatyoudonotknow？"
　　"Uponmysoul，no！"repliedtheBaron。
　　Bellamythrewopenthenewspaperbeforehim。
　　"VonBehrlingwasmurderedlastnight，tenminutesafterourinterview。"
　　CHAPTERXII
　　BARONDESTREUSS'PROPOSAL
　　TheBaronadjustedhiseyeglasswithshakingfingers。Hisfacenowwaswaxen-whiteashespreadoutthenewspaperuponthetableandreadtheparagraphwordbyword。
　　TERRIBLECRIMEINTHECITY
　　EarlythismorningthebodyofamanwasdiscoveredinanarrowpassagewayleadingfromCrookedFriarstoRoyalStreet，undercircumstanceswhichleavelittledoubtbutthattheman'sdeathwasowingtofoulplay。
　　Thedeceasedhadapparentlybeenstabbed，andhadreceivedseveralsevereblowsaboutthehead。Hewasshabbilydressedbutwaswellsuppliedwithmoney，andhewaswearingagoldwatchandchainwhenhewasfound。
　　LATER
　　ThereappearstobenofurtherdoubtbutthatthemanfoundintheentryleadingfromCrookedFriarshadbeenthevictimofaparticularlymurderousassault。Neitherhisclothesnorhislinenboreanymarkbymeansofwhichhecouldbeidentified。Thebodyhasbeenremovedtothenearestmortuary，andaninquestwillshortlybeheld。
　　Streusslookedupfromthenewspaperandtherealityofhissurprisewasapparent。Hehadalltheappearanceofamanshakenwithemotion。
　　Whilehelookedathistwocompanionswonderingly，strangethoughtswereforminginhismind。
　　"VonBehrlingdead！"hemuttered。"Butwho-whocouldhavedonethis？"
　　"Untilthismoment，"Bellamyanswereddryly，"itwasnotamatterconcerningwhichwehadanydoubt。Theonlywondertouswasthatitshouldhavebeendonetoolate。"
　　"Youmean，"Streusssaidslowly，"thathewasmurderedafterhehadcompletedhisbargainwithyou？"
　　"Naturally。"
　　"Isuppose，"theBaroncontinued，"thereisnoquestionbutthatitwasdoneafterwards？Yousmile，"heexclaimed，"butwhatamItothink？NeitherInormypeoplehadanyhandinthisdeed。Howaboutyours？"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"Wedonotfightthatway，"hereplied。"IhadboughtVonBehrling。
　　Hewasofnofurtherinteresttome。Ididnotcarewhetherhelivedordied。"
　　"Thereissomethingverystrangeaboutthis，"theBaronsaid。"IfneitheryounorIwereresponsibleforhisdeath，whowas？"
　　"ThatIcan'ttellyou。Perhapslaterinthedayweshallhearfromthepolice。Itisscarcelythesortofmurderwhichwouldremainlongundetected，especiallyashewasrobbedofalargesuminbank-notes。"
　　"SuppliedbyHisMajesty'sGovernment，Ipresume？"Streussremarked。
　　"Precisely，"Bellamyassented，"andpaidtohimbyme。"
　　"Atanyrate，"Streusssaidgrimly，"wehavenownomoresecretsfromoneanother。Iwillaskyouonelastquestion。Whereisthatpacketatthepresentmoment？"
　　Bellamyraisedhiseyebrows。
　　"Itisaquestion，"hedeclared，"whichyoucouldscarcelyexpectmetoanswer。"
　　"Iwillputitanotherway，"Streusscontinued。"Supposingyoudecidetoacceptmyoffer，howlongwillitbebeforethepacketcanbeplacedinmyhands？"
　　"Ifwedecidetoaccept，"Bellamyanswered，"thereisnoreasonwhythereshouldbeanydelayatall。"
　　Streusswassilentforseveralmoments。Hishandswerethrustdeepdownintothepocketsofhisovercoat。Witheyesfixeduponthetablecloth，heseemedtobethinkingdeeply，tillpresentlyheraisedhisheadandlookedsteadilyatBellamy。
　　"YouaresurethatVonBehrlinghasnotfooledyou？Youaresurethatyouhavethatidenticalpacket？"
　　"IamabsolutelycertainthatIhave，"Bellamyanswered，withoutflinching。
　　"Thenacceptmypriceandhavedonewiththismatter，"Streussbegged。"Iwillsignadraftforyouhere，andIwillundertaketobringyouthemoney，orhonoritwhereveryousay，withintwenty-fourhours。"
　　"Icannotdecidesoquickly，"saidBellamy，shakinghishead。
　　"MademoiselleIdialeandImusttalktogetherfirst。Iamnotsure，"
　　headded，"whetherImightnotfindahigherbidder。"
　　Streusslaughedmirthlessly。
　　"Thereislittlefearofthat，"hesaid。"ThepapersareofnouseexcepttousandtoEngland。ToEngland，Iwilladmitthattheforeknowledgeofwhatistocomewouldbeworthmuch，althoughtheeventfulresultwouldbethesame。ItisforthatreasonthatIamhere，forthatreasonthatIhavemadeyouthisoffer。"
　　"MademoiselleandImustdiscussit，"Bellamydeclared。"Itisnotamattertobedecideduponoff-hand。Rememberthatitisnotonlythepacketwhichyouareofferingtobuy，butalsomycareerandmyhonor。"
　　"Onehundredthousandpounds，"Streusssaidslowly。"Fromyourownsideyougetnothing-nothingbutyourbeggarlysalaryandanoccasionalreprimand。Onehundredthousandpoundsisnotimmensewealth，butitissomething。"
　　"Yourofferisagenerousone，"admittedBellamy，"thereisnodoubtaboutthat。Ontheotherhand，Icannotdecidewithoutfurtherconsideration。Itisabigthingforus，remember。Ihaveworkedveryhardforthecontentsofthatpacket。"
　　OncemoreStreussfeltanuneasypangofincredulity。Afterall，wasthisEnglishmanplayingwithhim？Soheasked:"Youarequitesurethatyouhaveit？"
　　"ThereisnomeansofconvincingyouofwhichIcaretomakeuse。
　　Youmustbecontentwithmyword。Ihavethepacket。IpaidVonBehrlingforitandhegaveittomewithhisownhands。"
　　"Imustacceptyourword，"Streussdeclared。"Igiveyouthreedaysforreflection。BeforeIgo，Mr。Bellamy，forgivemeifIreferoncemoretothis，"-touchingthenewspaperwhichstilllayuponthetable。"RememberthatRudolphVonBehrlingmovedaboutamarkedman。Yourspiesandmineweremostofthetimeuponhisheels。Yetintheendsomethirdpersonseemstohaveintervened。Areyouquitesurethatyouknownothingofthis？"
　　"Uponmyhonor，"Bellamyreplied，"IhavenottheslightestinformationconcerningVonBehrling'sdeathbeyondwhatyoucanreadthere。Itwasasgreatasurprisetomeastoyou。"
　　"Itisincomprehensible，"Streussmurmured。
　　"Onecanonlyconclude，"Bellamyremarkedthoughtfully，"thatsomeonemusthaveseenhimwiththosenotes。Therewerepeoplemovingaboutinthelittlerestaurantwherewemet。Therustleofbank-noteshascostmorethanonemanhislife。
　　"Forthepresent，"Streusssaid，"wemustbelievethatitwasso。
　　Listentome，bothofyou。Youwillbewiserifyoudonotdelay。
　　Youareyoungpeople，andtheworldisbeforeyou。Withmoneyonecandoeverything。Withoutit，lifeisbutaslavery。Theworldisfullofbeautifuldwelling-placesforthosewhohavethemeanstochoose。Remember，too，thatnotasoulwilleverknowofthistransaction，ifyoushoulddecidetoacceptmyoffer。"
　　"Weshallrememberallthosethings，"Bellamyassuredhim。
　　Streusstookuphishatandgloves。
　　"Withyourpermission，then，Mademoiselle，"heconcluded，turningtoLouise，"Igo。ImusttryandunderstandformyselfthemeaningofthisthingwhichhashappenedtoVonBehrling。"
　　"Donotforget，"Bellamysaid，"thatifyoudiscoveranything，weareequallyinterested。"……
　　Theyheardhimgoout。Bellamypurposelyheldthedooropenuntilhesawtheliftdescend。Thenhecloseditfirmlyandcamebackintotheroom。Louiseandhelookedateachother，theirfacesfullofanxiousquestioning。
　　"Whatdoesitmean？"Louisecried。"Whatcanitmean？"
　　"Heavenaloneknows！"Bellamyanswered。"Thereisnotagleamofdaylight。MypeopleareabsolutelyinnocentofanyattemptuponVonBehrling。IfStreusstellsthetruth，andIbelievehedoes，hispeopleareinthesameposition。Who，then，inthenameofallthatismiraculous，canhavemurderedandrobbedVonBehrling？"
　　"InLondon，too，"Louisemurmured。"ItisnotVienna，this，orBelgrade。"
　　"Youareright，"Bellamyagreed。"Londonisoneofthemostlaw-abidingcitiesinEurope。Besides，thequarterwherethemurderoccurredisentirelyunfrequentedbythecriminalclasses。Itissimplyaregionofgreatbanksandtheofficesofmerchantprinces。
　　"Isitpossiblethatthereissomeoneelsewhoknewaboutthatdocument？"Louiseasked，-"someoneelsewhohasbeenwatchingVonBehrling？"
　　Bellamyshookhishead。
　　"Howcanthatbe？Besides，ifanyoneelsewerereallyonhistrack，theymusthavebelievedthathehadpartedwithittome。IshallgobacknowtoDowningStreettoaskforalettertotheChiefofScotlandYard。Ifanythingcomesout，Imusthaveplentyofwarning。"
　　"AndI，"shesaid，withanapprovingnod，"shallgobacktobedagain。Thesedaysaretoostrenuousforme。Won'tyoustayandtakeyourcoffeewithme？"
　　Bellamyheldherhandforamomentinhis。
　　"Dear，"hesaid，"Iwouldstay，butyouunderstand，don'tyou，whatamazethisisintowhichwehavewandered。VonBehrlinghasbeenmurderedbysomepersonwhoseemstohavedroppedfromtheskies。
　　Whoevertheymaybe，theyhaveintheirpossessionmytwentythousandpoundsandthepacketwhichshouldhavebeenmine。ImusttracethemifIcan，Louise。Itisapoorchance，butImustdomybest。ImyselfamoftheopinionthatVonBehrlingwasmurderedforthemoney，andforthemoneyonly。Ifso，thatpacketmaybeinthehandsofpeoplewhohavenoideawhatusetomakeofit。
　　Theymayevendestroyit。IfStreussreturnsandyouareforcedtoseehim，becareful。Remember，wehavethedocument-wearehesitating。Solongashebelievesthatitisinourpossession，hewillnotlookelsewhere。"
　　"Iwillbecareful，"Louisepromised，withherarmsaroundhisneck。
　　"And，dear，takecare。WhenIthinkofpoorRudolphVonBehrling，Itremble，also，foryou。Itseemstomethatyourdangerisnolessthanhis。"
　　"Idonotgoaboutwithtwentythousandpoundsinmypocket-book，"
　　withasmile。
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"No，butStreussbelievesthatyouhavethedocumentwhichheispledgedtorecover。Becarefulthattheydonotleadyouintoatrap。Theyarenotaboveanything，thesemen。IheardonceofaBulgarianinViennawhowastortured-torturedalmosttodeath-beforehespoke。Thentheythrusthimintoalunaticasylum。
　　Remember，dear，theyhavenoconsciencesandnopity。"
　　"WeareinLondon，"heremindedher。
　　"SowasVonBehrling，"sheansweredquickly，-"notonlyinLondonbutinasafepartofLondon。Yetheisdead。"
　　"Itwasnottheirdoing，"hedeclared。"Intheirowncountry，theyhavethewholemachineryoftheirwonderfulpolicesystemattheirbacks，andnofearofthelawintheirhearts。Heretheymustneedsgocautiously。Idon'tthinkyouneedbeafraid，"headded，smiling，asheopenedthedoor。"IthinkIcanpromiseyouthatifyouwilldomethehonorwewillsuptogetherto-night。"
　　"YoumustfetchmefromtheOperaHouse，"Louiseinsisted。"Itisabargain。Ihavesufferedenoughneglectatyourhands。Onething，David，-wheredoyougofirstfromhere？"
　　"Tofindtheman，"Bellamyansweredgravely，"whowaswatchingVonBehrlingwhenheleftme。IfanymaninEnglandknowsanythingofthemurder，itmustbehe。Heshouldbeatmyroomsbynow。"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　STEPHENLAVERICK'SCONSCIENCE
　　StephenLaverickwasabachelor-hisfriendscalledhimanincorrigibleone。HehadasmallbutpleasantlysituatedsuiteofroomsinWhitehallCourt，lookingoutupontheriver。Hishabitswerealmostmonotonousintheirregularity，andthemorningfollowinghislatenightinthecitywasnoexceptiontothegeneralrule。Ateighto'clock，thevaletattachedtothesuiteknockedathisdoorandinformedhimthathisbathwasready。Heawokeatoncefromasoundsleep，satupinbed，andrememberedtheeventsoftheprecedingevening。
　　Atfirsthewasinclinedtodoubtthatslowlystirringeffortofmemory。Hewasamanofunromantictemperament，unimaginative，andbynomeansofanadventurousturnofmind。Hesoughtnaturallyforthemostreasonableexplanationofthisstrangepicture，whichnoeffortofhiswillcoulddismissfromhismemory。Itwasadream，ofcourse。Butthedreamdidnotfade。Slowlyitspreaditselfoutsothathecouldnolongerdoubt。Heknewverywellashesatthereontheedgeofhisbedthatthethingwastruth。He，StephenLaverick，amanhithertoofuprightcharacter，withareputationofwhichunconsciouslyhewasproud，hadrobbedadeadman，hadlookedintotheburningeyesofhismurderer，hadstolenawaywithtwentythousandpoundsofsomeoneelse'smoney。Morally，atanyrate，-
　　probablylegallyaswell，-hewasathief。Aglimpseinsidehissafeonthepartofanastutedetectivemightveryeasilybringhimunderthegravesuspicionofbeingacriminalofaltogetherdeeperdye。
　　StephenLaverickwas，inhisway，somethingofaphilosopher。Inthecolddaylight，withthesoundofthewaterrunningintohisbath，thisdeedwhichhehaddoneseemedtohimfoolishandreprehensible。
　　Nevertheless，herealizedtheabsolutefinalityofhisaction。Thethingwasdone；hemustmakethebestofit。Behavingineverywaylikeasensibleman，hedidnotsendforthenewspapersandsearchhystericallyfortheiraccountoflastnight'stragedy，buttookhisbathasusual，dressedwithmorethanordinarycare，andsatdowntohisbreakfastbeforeheevenunfoldedthepaper。Theitemforwhichhesearchedoccupiedbynomeanssoprominentapositionashehadexpected。Itappearedunderoneoftheleadingheadlines，butitconsistedofonlyafewwords。Hereadthemwithinterestbutwithoutemotion。AfterwardsheturnedtotheStockExchangequotationsandmadenotesofafewpricesinwhichhewasinterested。
　　HecompletedinleisurelyfashionanexcellentbreakfastandfollowedhisusualcustomofwalkingalongtheEmbankmentasfarastheRoyalHotel，wherehecalledataxicabanddrovetohisoffices。AlittlecrowdhadgatheredaroundtheendofthepassagewhichledfromCrookedFriars，andLaverickhimselfleanedforwardandlookedcuriouslyatthespotwherethebodyofthemurderedmanhadlain。
　　Itseemedhardtohimtoreconstructlastnight'ssceneinhismindnowthatthenarrowstreetwasfilledwithhurryingmenandastreamofvehiclesblockedeveryinchoftheroadway。Inhisearlymorningmoodthethingwasimpossible。Inamomentortwohepaidhisdriveranddismissedhim。
　　Hefanciedthatacertainreliefwasvisibleamonghisclerkswhenheopenedthedooratpreciselyhisusualtimeandwithacheerful"Good-morning！"madehiswayintotheprivateoffice。Helithiscustomarycigaretteanddealtrapidlywiththecorrespondencewhichwasbroughtintohimbyhishead-clerk。Afterwards，assoonashewasalone，heopenedthesafe，thrustthecontentsofthatinnerdrawerintohisbreast-pocket，andtookuponcemorehishatandgloves。
　　"Iamgoingaroundtothebank，"hetoldhisclerkashepassedout。
　　"Ishallbebackinhalf-an-hour-perhapsless。"
　　"Verygood，sir，"themananswered。"WillMr。Morrisonbeherethismorning？"
　　Laverickhesitated。
　　"No，Mr。Morrisonwillnotbehereto-day。"
　　Itwasonlyafewstepstohisbankers，andhisrequestforaninterviewwiththemanagerwasimmediatelygranted。Thelatterreceivedhimkindlybutwithacertainrestraint。Therearenotmanysecretsinthecity，andMorrison'sbigplungeonaparticularminingshare，notwithstandingitssteadydrop，hadbeenfreelycommentedupon。
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou，Mr。Laverick？"thebankerasked。
　　"Iamnotsure，"answeredLaverick。"Totellyouthetruth，Iaminasomewhatsingularposition。"
　　Thebankernodded。Hehadnotadoubtbutthatheunderstoodexactlywhatthatpositionwas。
　　"Youhaveperhapsheard，"Laverickcontinuedslowly，"thatmylatepartner，Mr。Morrison，-"
　　"Latepartner？"themanagerinterrupted。
　　Laverickassented。
　　"Wehadafewwordslastnight，"heexplained"andMr。Morrisonlefttheofficewithanunderstandingbetweenusthatheshouldnotreturn。Youwillreceiveaformalintimationofthatduringthecourseofthenextdayorso。Wewillreverttothematterpresently，ifyouwish。MyimmediatebusinesswithyouistodiscussthefactthatIhavetoprovidesomethingliketwentythousandpoundsto-dayifIdecidetotakeupthepurchasesofstockwhichMorrisonhasmade。"
　　"Youunderstandtheposition，ofcourse，Mr。Laverick，ifyoufailtodoso？"themanagerremarkedgravely。
　　"Naturally，"Laverickanswered。"IamquiteawareofthefactthatMorrisonactedonbehalfofthefirmandthatIamresponsibleforhistransactions。Hehasplungedprettydeeply，though，agreatdealmoredeeplythanourcapitalwarranted。ImayaddthatIhadnottheslightestideaastotheextentofhisdealings。"
　　Thebankmanageradoptedasympatheticbutseriousattitude。
　　"Twentythousandpounds，"hedeclared，"isagreatdealofmoney，Mr。Laverick。"
　　"Itisagreatdealofmoney，"Laverickadmitted。"Iamheretoaskyoutolendittome。
　　Thebankmanagerraisedhiseyebrows。
　　"MydearMr。Laverick！"heexclaimedreproachfully。
　　"Uponunimpeachablesecurity，"Laverickcontinued。Thebankmanagerwasconsciousthathehadallowedalittlestartofsurprisetoescapehim，andbithislipwithannoyance。Itwasentirelycontrarytohistenetstodisplayatanytimeduringofficehoursanysortofemotion。
　　"Unimpeachablesecurity，"herepeated。"Ofcourse，ifyouhavethattooffer，Mr。Laverick，althoughthesumisalargeone，itisourbusinesstoseewhatwecandoforyou。"
　　"Mysecurityisofthebest，"Laverickdeclaredgrimly。"Ihavebank-noteshere，Mr。Fenwick，fortwentythousandpounds。"
　　Thebankmanagerwasagainguiltyofanunprofessionalaction。Hewhistledsoftlyunderhisbreath。AveryrespectableclienthehadalwaysconsideredMr。StephenLaverick，buthehadcertainlyneversuspectedhimofbeingabletoproduceatapinchsuchevidenceofmeans。Lavericksmoothedoutthenotesandlaidthemuponthetable。
　　"Mr。Fenwick，"hesaid，"IbelieveIamrightinassumingthatwhenonecomestoone'sbankers，oneenters，asitwere，intoaconfessional。IfeelconvincedthatnothingwhichIsaytoyouwillberepeatedoutsidethisoffice，orwillbeallowedtodwellinyourownmindexceptwithreferencetothisparticulartransactionbetweenyouandme。Ihavetheright，haveInot，totakethatforgranted？"
　　"Mostcertainly，"thebankeragreed。
　　"Fromastrictlyethicalpointofview，"Laverickwenton，"thismoneyisnotmine。Iholditintrustforitsowner，butIholditwithoutanyconditions。IhavepowertomakewhatuseIwishofit，andIchooseto-daytouseitonmyownbehalf。WhetherIamjustifiedornotisscarcelyamatter，Ipresume，whichconcernsthisexcellentbankingestablishmentoverwhichyoupresidesoably。
　　Idonotpaythesebank-notesintomyaccountandaskyoutocreditmewithtwentythousandpounds。Iaskyoutoallowmetodepositthemhereforsevendaysassecurityagainstanoverdraft。
　　Youcanthenadvancemeenoughmoneytomeetmyengagementsofto-day。"
　　Thebankertookupthenotesandlookedthemthrough，onebyone。
　　Theywereverycrisp，verynew，andabsolutelygenuine。
　　"Thisissomewhatanextraordinaryproceeding，Mr。Laverick，"hesaid。
　　"Ihavenodoubtthatitmustseemsotoyou，"Laverickadmitted。
　　"Atthesametime，therethemoneyis。Youcanrunnorisk。IfI
　　amexceedingmymoralrightinmakinguseofthesenotes，itisI
　　whowillhavetopay。WillyoudoasIask？"
　　Thebankerhesitated。Thetransactionwassomewhatapeculiarone，butonthefaceofittherecouldbenopossiblerisk。Atthesametime，therewassomethingaboutitwhichhecouldnotunderstand。
　　"Yourwish，Mr。Laverick，"heremarked，lookingathimthoughtfully，"seemstobetokeepthesenotesoutofcirculation。"
　　Laverickreturnedhisgazewithoutflinching。
　　"Inasense，thatisso，"heassented。
　　"Onthewhole，"thebankerdeclared，"Ishouldprefertocreditthemtoyouraccountintheusualway。"
　　"Iamsorry，"Laverickanswered，"butIhaveasentimentalfeelingaboutit。Iprefertokeepthenotesintact。Ifyoucannotfollowoutmysuggestion，Imustremovemyaccountatonce。Thisisn'tathreat，Mr。Fenwick，-youwillunderstandthat，Iamsure。Itissimplyamatterofbusiness，andowingtoMorrison'sspeculationsIhavenotimeforarguments。Iamquitesatisfiedtoremaininyourhands，butmyfeelinginthematterisexactlyasIhavestated，andIcannotchange。Ifyouaretoretainmyaccount，myengagementsforto-daymustbemetpreciselyinthewayIhavepointedout。"
　　Thebankerexcusedhimselfandlefttheroomforafewmoments。
　　Whenhereturned，heshruggedhisshoulderswiththeairofonewhoisgivingintoanunreasonableclient。
　　"Itshallbeasyousay，Mr。Laverick，"heannounced。"Thenotesareplacedupondeposit。Yourengagementsto-dayuptotwentythousandpoundsshallbedulyhonored。"
　　Laverickshookhandswithhim，talkedforamomentortwoaboutindifferentmatters，andstrolledbacktowardshisoffice。Hehadratherthesenseofamanwhomovesinadream，whoisliving，somehow，inalifewhichdoesn'tbelongtohim。Hewasdoingtheimpossible。Heknewverywellthathisnamewasineveryone'smouth。Peoplewerelookingathimsympathetically，wonderinghowhecouldhavebeensuchafoolastobecomethevictimofanirresponsiblespeculator。Nooneeverimaginedthathewouldbeabletokeephisengagements。Andhehaddoneit。Thepricemightbeagreatone，buthewaspreparedtopay。Atanymomentthesensationalnewsmightbeupontheplacards，andthewholeworldmightknowthatthemanwhohadbeenmurderedinCrookedFriarslastnighthadfirstbeenrobbedoftwentythousandpounds。
　　Sofarhehadfelthimselfcuriouslyfreefromanythingintheshapeofdirectapprehensions。Already，however，theshadowwasbeginningtofall。Evenasheenteredhisoffice，thesightofastrangerofferingofficefilesforsalemadehimstart。Hehalfexpectedtofeelahanduponhisshoulder，afewwordswhisperedinhisear。Hesethisteethtight。Thiswashisriskandhemusttakeit。
　　Forseveralhoursheremainedinhisoffice，engagedinaschemefortheredirectionofitspolicy。WiththeabsenceofMorrison，too，therewereotherchangestobemade，-changesinthenatureofthebusinesstheywerepreparedtohandle，limitstobefixed。
　　Itwasnotuntilnearlyluncheontimethatthetelephone，thesimultaneousarrivalofseveralclients，andthebreathlessentryofhisownhead-clerkrushinginfromthehouse，toldhimwhatwasgoingon。
　　"'Unions'havetakentheirturnatlast！"theclerkannounced，inanexcitedtone。"Theysaggedalittlethismorning，butsinceeleventheyhavebeengoingsteadilyup。Justnowthereseemstobeaboom。Listen。"
　　Laverickheardtheroarofvoicesinthestreet，andnodded。Hewaspreparedtobesurprisedatnothing。
　　"Theywereboundtogowithinadayortwo，"heremarked。"Morrisonwasn'tanabsoluteidiot。"
　　Theluncheonhourpassed。Theexcitementinthecitygrew。Bythreeo'clock，tenthousandpoundswouldhavecoveredallofLaverick'sengagements。Justbeforeclosing-time，itwasevendoubtfulwhetherhemightnothaveborrowedeverypennywithoutsecurityatall。Hetookitallquitecalmlyandasamatterofcourse。Helefttheofficealittleearlierthanusual，andeverymanwhomhemetstoppedtoslaphimonthebackandchaffhim。Heescapedassoonashecould，boughttheeveningpapers，foundataxicab，andassoonashehadstartedspreadthemopen。Itwasaremarkableproofoftheman'sself-restraintthatatnotimeduringtheafternoonhadhesentoutforoneoftheseearlyeditions。
　　Heturnedthemovernowwithfirmfingers。Therewasabsolutelynofreshnews。Noonehadcomeforwardwithanysuggestionastotheidentityofthemurderedman。AlldaylongthebodyhadlainintheMortuary，visitedbyaconstantstreamofthecurious，butpresumablyunrecognized。Laverickcouldscarcelybelievethewordsheread。Thethingseemedludicrouslyimpossible。Thetwentythousandpoundsmusthavecomefromsomeone。Whydidtheykeepsilence？Whatwasthemysteryaboutit？Coulditbethattheywerenotinapositiontodisclosethefact？Curiouslyenough，thisunnaturalabsenceofnewsinspiredhimwithsomethingwhichwasalmostfear。Hehadtakenhisrisksboldlyenough。NowthatFatewasplayinghimthisunexpectedlygoodturn，hewasconsciousofagrowingnervousness。Whocouldhehavebeen，thisman？Whencecouldhehavederivedthisgreatsum？Onepersonatleastmustknowthathehadbeenrobbed-themanwhomurderedhimmustknowit。AcoldshiverpassedthroughLaverick'sveinsatthethought。
　　SomewhereinLondontheremustbeamanthirstingforhisblood，amanwhohadcommittedamurderinvainandbeenrobbedofhisspoil。
　　Laverickhadnoengagementsforthatevening，butinsteadofgoingtohisclubhedrovestraighttohisrooms，meaningtochangealittleearlyfordinnerandgotoatheatre，liefoundthere，however，asmallboywaitingforhimwithanoteinhishand。Itwasaddressedinpencilonly，andhisnamewasprinteduponit。
　　Lavericktoreitopenwithahastewhichheonlyimperfectlyconcealed。Therewassomethingominoustohiminthoseprintedcharacters。Itscontents，however，wereshortenough。
　　DEARLAVERICK，Imustseeyou。Comethemomentyougetthis。Comewithoutfail，foryourownsakeandmine。A。M。
　　Lavericklookedattheboy。Hisfingersweretrembling，butitwaswithrelief。ThenotewasfromMorrison。
　　"Thereisnoaddresshere，"heremarked。
　　"ThegentsaidasIwastotakeyoubackwithme，"theboyanswered。
　　"Isitfar？"Laverickasked。
　　"ClosetoRedLionSquare，"theboydeclared。"Notmorenorfiveminutesinoneofthemtaxicabs。Thegentsaidwewastotakeone。Heisinagreathurrytoseeyou。"
　　Laverickdidnothesitateamoment。"
　　"Verywell，"hesaid，"we'llstartatonce。
　　Heputonhishatagainandwaitedwhilethecommissionairecalledthemataxicab。
　　"Whataddress？"heasked。
　　"Number7，TheobaldSquare，"theboysaid。Lavericknoddedandrepeatedtheaddresstothedriver。
　　"WhatthedickenscanMorrisonbedoinginapartlikethat！"hethought，astheypassedupNorthumberlandAvenue。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　ARTHURMORRISON'SCOLLAPSE
　　TheSquarewasasmallone，andinaparticularlyunsavoryneighborhood。Laverick，whohadoncevisitedhispartner'ssomewhatextensivesuiteofroomsinJermynStreet，rangthebelldoubtfully。
　　Thedoorwasopenedalmostatonce，notbyaservantbutbyayoungladywhowasobviouslyexpectinghim。Beforehecouldopenhislipstoframeaninquiry，shehadclosedthedoorbehindhim。
　　"Willyoupleasecomethisway？"shesaidtimidly。
　　Laverickfoundhimselfinasmallsitting-room，unexpectedlyneat，andwiththeplainnessofitsfurniturerelievedbycertainundeniabletracesofsomeculturedpresence。Thegirlwhohadfollowedhimstoodwithherbacktothedoor，alittleoutofbreath。
　　Laverickcontemplatedherinsurprise。Shewasundermediumheight，withsmallpalefaceandwonderfuldarkeyes。Herbrownhairwaspartedinthemiddleandarrangedlowdown，sothatatfirst，takingintoaccountherobviousnervousness，hethoughtthatshewasachild。Whenshespoke，however，heknewthatforsomereasonshewasafraid。Hervoicewassoftandlow，butitwasthevoiceofawoman。
　　"ItisMr。Laverick，isitnot？"sheasked，lookingathimeagerly。
　　"MynameisStephenLaverick，"headmitted。"IunderstoodthatI
　　shouldfindMr。ArthurMorrisonhere。"
　　"Yes，"thegirlanswered，"hesentforyou。Thenotewasfromhim。
　　Heishere。"
　　Shemadenomovementtosummonhim。Shestillstood，infact，withherbacktothedoor。Laverickwasdistinctlypuzzled。Hefelthimselfunabletoplacethistimid，childlikewoman，withherterrifiedfaceandbeautifuleyes。HehadneverheardMorrisonspeakofhavinganyrelations。Hispresenceinsuchalocality，indeed，washardtounderstandunlesshehadmetwithanaccident。
　　MorrisonwasoneofthoseyoungmenwhowouldhavechosenHellwitha"W"ratherthanHeavenE。C。
　　"Iamafraid，"Lavericksaid，"thatforsomereasonorotheryouareafraidofme。IcanassureyouthatIamquiteharmless，"headdedsmiling。"Won'tyousitdownandtellmewhatisthematter？
　　IsMr。Morrisoninanytrouble？"
　　"Yes，"sheanswered，"heis。Asforme，Iamterrified。"
　　Shecamealittleawayfromthedoor。Laverickwasamanwhoinspiredtrust。Histone，too，wasunusuallykind。Hehadtheprotectiveinstinctofabigmantowardasmallwoman。
　　"Comeandtellmeallaboutit，"hesuggested。"Iexpectedtohearthathehadgoneabroad。"
　　"Mr。Laverick，"shesaid，lookingupathimtremulously。"Iwashopingthatyoucouldhavetoldmewhatitwasthathadcometohim。"
　　"Well，thatratherdepends，"Laverickanswered。"Wecertainlyhadaterriblyanxioustimeyesterday。Ourbusinesshasbeenmostunfortunate-"
　　"Yes，yes！"thegirlinterrupted。"Pleasegoon。Therehavebeenbusinesstroubles，then。"
　　"Rather，"Laverickcontinued。"LastnighttheyreachedsuchapitchthatIgaveMorrisonsomemoneyanditwasagreedthatheshouldleavethefirmandtryhislucksomewhereelse。Iquiteunderstoodthathewasgoingabroad。"
　　Thegirlseemed，forsomereason，relieved。
　　"Therewassomething，then，"shesaid，halftoherself。"Therewassomething。Oh，Iamgladofthat！Youwereangrywithhim，perhaps，Mr。Laverick？"
　　Laverickstoodwithhisbacktothelittlefireplaceandwithhishandsbehindhim-acommandingfigureinthetinyroomfulloffemininetrifles。Helookedagreatdealmoreathiseasethanhereallywas。
　　"PerhapsIwasinclinedtobeshort-tempered，"headmitted。"Yousee，tobefrankwithyou，thedepartmentofourbusinessthatwasgoingwrongwastheoneoverwhichMorrisonhashadsolecontrol。
　　HehadenteredintocertainspeculationswhichIconsideredunjustifiable。To-day，however，matterstookanunexpectedturnforthebetter。"
　　Almostashespokehisfaceclouded。Morrison，ofcourse，wouldbetriumphant。Perhapshewouldevenexpecttobereinstated。Formanyreasons，thiswasathingwhichLaverickdidnotdesire。
　　"Nowtellme，"hecontinued，"whatisthematterwithMorrison，andwhyhashesentforme，and，ifyouwillpardonmysayingso，whyishehereinsteadofinhisownrooms？"
　　"Iwillexplain，"shebegansoftly。
　　"Youwillpleaseexplainsittingdown，"hesaidfirmly。"Anddon'tlooksoterrified，"headded，withalittlelaugh。"IcanassureyouthatIamnotgoingtoeatyou，oranythingofthatsort。Youmakemefeelquiteuncomfortable。"
　　Shesmiledforthefirsttime，andLaverickthoughtthathehadneverseenanythingsowonderfulasthechangeinherfeatures。Thestrainedrigiditypassedaway。Analtogethersofterlightgleamedinherwonderfuleyes。Shewascertainlybyfartheprettiestchildhehadeverseen。Asyethecouldnottakeheraltogetherseriously。
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid，sinkingdownuponthearmofaneasy-chair。
　　"firstofall，then，Arthurisherebecauseheismybrother。"
　　"Yourbrother！"Laverickrepeatedwonderingly。
　　Somehoworother，hehadneverassociatedMorrisonwithrelations。
　　Besides，thismeantthatshemustbeofhisrace。Therewasnothinginherfacetodenoteitexceptthedarknessofhereyes，andthatnamelesscharmofmanner，asortofultra-sensitiveness，whichbelongssometimestothehighesttypeofJews。Itwasnotaquality，Laverickthought，whichheshouldhaveassociatedwithMorrison'ssister。
　　"Mybrother，inaway，"sheresumed。"Arthur'sfatherwasawidowerandmymotherwasawidowwhentheyweremarried。Youaresurprised？"
　　"ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldbe，"heanswered，curiouslyrelievedatherlaststatement。"YourbrotherandIhavebeenconnectedinbusinessforsomeyears。Wehaveseenverylittleofoneanotheroutside。"
　　"Idaresay，"shecontinued，stilltimidly，"thatArthur'sfriendswouldnotbeyourfriends，andthathewouldn'tcareforthesamesortofthings。Yousee，mymotherisdeadandalsohisfather，andaswearen'treallyrelatedatall，Icannotexpectthathewouldcometoseemeveryoften。Lastnight，though，quitelate-longafterIhadgonetobed-herangthebellhere。Iwasfrightened，forjustnowIamallalone，andmyservantonlycomesinthemorning。SoIlookedoutofthewindowandIsawhimonthepavement，huddledupagainstthedoor。Ihurrieddownandlethimin。Mr。Laverick，"shewenton，withanappealingglanceathim，"Ihaveneverseenanyonelooklikeit。Hewasterrifiedtodeath。
　　Somethingseemedtohavehappenedwhichhadtakenawayfromhimeventhepowerofspeech。Hepushedpastmeintothisroom，threwhimselfintothatchair，"sheadded，pointingacrosstheroom，"andhesobbedandbeathishandsuponhiskneesasthoughhewereawomaninafitofhysterics。Hisclotheswerealluntidy，hewasaspaleasdeath，andhiseyeslookedasthoughtheywerereadytostartoutofhishead。"
　　"Youmustindeedhavebeenfrightened，"Lavericksaidsoftly。
　　"Frightened！Ishallneverforgetit！Ididnotsleepallnight。
　　Hewouldtellmenothing-hehasscarcelyspokenasensibleword。
　　EarlythismorningIpersuadedhimtogoupstairs，andmadehimliedown。HehastakentwodraughtswhichIboughtfromthechemist，buthehasnotslept。Everynowandthenhetriestogetup，butinaminuteortwohethrowshimselfdownonthebedagainandhideshisface。Ifanyoneringsatthebell，heshrieks。Ifhehearsafootfallinthestreet，even，hecallsoutforme。Mr。Laverick，I
　　haveneverbeensofrightenedinmylife。Ididn'tknowwhomtosendfororwhattodo。WhenhewrotethatnotetoyouIwassorelieved。Youcan'timaginehowgladIamtothinkyouhavecome！"
　　Laverick'seyeswerefullofsympathy。Onecouldseethatthesceneoflastnighthadrisenupagainbeforehereyes。Shewasshrinkingback，andtheterrorwasuponheroncemore。Hemovedovertoherside，andwithanimpulsewhich，whenhethoughtofitafterwards，amazedhim，laidhishandgentlyuponhershoulder。
　　"Don'tworryyourselfthinkingaboutit，"hesaid。"Iwilltalktoyourbrother。Wedidhavewords，I'lladmit，lastnight，buttherewasn'ttheslightestreasonwhyitshouldhaveupsethiminthisway。Thingsinthecitywereshockingyesterday，buttheyhaveimprovedagreatdealto-day。LetmegoupstairsandI'lltryandpumpsomecourageintohim。"
　　"Youaresokind，"shemurmured，suddenlydroppingherhandsfrombeforeherfaceandlookingupathimwithshiningeyes，"soverykind。Willyoucome，then？"
　　Sheroseandhefollowedheroutoftheroom，upthestairs，andintoatinybedroom。Laverickhadnotimetolookaround，butitseemedtohim，notwithstandingthecheapwhitefurnitureandveryordinaryappointments，thatthesamenoteofdaintyfemininitypervadedthislittleapartmentastheonebelow。
　　"Itismyroom，"shesaidshyly。"Thereisnootherproperlyfurnished，andIthoughtthathemightsleepuponthebed。"
　　"Perhapsheisasleepnow，"Laverickwhispered。
　　Evenashespoke，thedarkfigurestretcheduponthesheetssprangintoasittingposture。Laverickwasconsciousofadistinctshock。
　　ItwasMorrison，stillwearingtheclothesinwhichhehadlefttheoffice，hiscollarcrushedoutofallshape，histievanished。Hisblackhair，usuallysoshinyandperfectlyarranged，wasalldisordered。Outofhisstaringeyesflashedanexpressionwhichoneseesseldominlife，-anexpressionofrealandmortalterror。
　　"Whoisit？"hecriedout，andevenhisvoicewasunrecognizable。
　　"Whoisthat？Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"ItisI-Laverick，"Laverickanswered。"Whatonearthisthematterwithyou，man？"
　　Morrisondrewaquickbreath。Somepartoftheterrorseemedtoleavehisface，buthewasstillanalarming-lookingobject。
　　Laverickquietlyopenedthedoorandlaidhishanduponthegirl'sshoulder。
　　"Willyouleaveusalone？"heasked。"Iwillcomeandtalktoyouafterwards，ifImay。"
　　Shenoddedunderstandingly，andpassedout。Laverickclosedthedoorandcameuptothebedside。
　　"Whatinthenameofthunderhascomeoveryou，Morrison？"hesaid。
　　"Areyouill，orwhatisit？"
　　Morrisonopenedhislips-openedthemtwice-withoutanysortofsoundissuing。
　　"Thisisabsurd！"Laverickexclaimedprotestingly。"Ihavebeenfeelingworriedmyself，butthere'snothingsoterrifyinginlosingone'smoney，afterall。Asamatteroffact，thingsarealtogetherbetterinthecityto-day。Youmadeabigmistakeintakingusoutofourdepth，butwearegoingtopullthrough，afterall。'Unions'
　　havebeengoingupallday。"
　　Laverick'spresence，andthesoundofhiseven，matter-of-facttone，seemedtoactlikeatonicuponhislatepartner。Hemadenoreference，however，toLaverick'swords。
　　"Yougotmynote？"heaskedhoarsely。
　　"NaturallyIgotit，"Laverickansweredimpatiently，"andIcameatonce。Tryandpullyourselftogether。Situpandtellmewhatyouaredoinghere，frighteningyoursisteroutofherlife。"
　　Morrisongroaned。
　　"Icamehere，"hemuttered，"becauseIdarednotgotomyownrooms。
　　Iwasafraid！"
　　Laverickstruggledwiththecontempthefelt。
　　"Manalive，"heexclaimed，"whatwastheretobeafraidof？"
　　"Youdon'tknow！"Morrisonfaltered。"Youdon'tknow！"
　　Then，forthefirsttime，itoccurredtoLaverickthatperhapsthefinancialcrisisintheiraffairswasnottheonlythingwhichhadreducedhislatepartnertothishopelessstate。Helookedathimnarrowly。
　　"Wheredidyougolastnight，"heasked，"whenyouleftme？"
　　"Nowhere，"Morrisongasped。"Icamehere。"
　　Laverickmadeaspaceforhimselfattheendofthebed，andsatdown。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"it'snousesendingformeunlessyoumeantotellmeeverything。Haveyoubeengettingyourselfintoanytroubleapartfromouraffairs，oristhereanythinginconnectionwiththemwhichIdon'tknow？"
　　AgainMorrisonopenedhislips，andagain，forsomereasonorother，heremainedspeechless。ThenacertainfearcamealsouponLaverick。
　　TherewassomethinginMorrison'sstatewhichwasinitselfterrifying。
　　"Youhadbettertellmeallaboutit，"Laverickpersisted，"whateveritis。IwillhelpyouifIcan。"
　　Morrisonshookhishead。Therewasaglassofwaterbyhisside。
　　Hethrusthisfingerintoitandpasseditacrosshislips。Theyweredry，almostcracking。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"I'vegotabreakdown-that'swhat'sthematterwithme。Mynerveswerenevergood。I'mafraidofgoingmad。Theanxietyofthelastfewweekshasbeentoomuchforme。
　　Iwanttogetoutofthecountryquickly，andIdon'tknowhowtomanageit。Ican'tthink。DirectlyItrytothinkmyheadgoesround。"
　　"Thereisnothingintheworldtopreventyourgoingaway，"Laverickanswered。"Itisthesimplestmatterpossible。Evenifwehadgoneunderto-day，noonecouldhavestoppedyourgoingwhereveryouchosetogo。Ruin，evenifithadbeenruin，-andItoldyoujustnowthatbusinesswasbetter，-isnotacrime。Pullyourselftogether，forHeaven'ssake，man！Youshouldbeashamedtocomehereandfrightenthatpoorlittlegirldownstairsalmosttodeath。"
　　Morrisongrippedhispartner'sarm。