TheywerealonebynowandLouiseraisedherveil，raiseditsohighthathecouldseehereyes。Sheleanedbackinherchair，supportingherchinwiththelong，exquisitefingersofherrighthand。Shelookedathimthoughtfully。
　　"Youhaveexaminedthepocket-book？"sheasked。
　　"Ihave。"
　　"Andthedocumentwasthere？"
　　"Thedocumentwasthere，"headmitted。"Perhapsyoucantellmehowitwouldbeaddressed？"
　　Lookingatherclosely，itcametohimthatherindifferencewasassumed。Shewasshiveringslightly，asthoughwithcold。
　　"Iimaginethattherewouldbenoaddress，"shesaid。
　　"Youareright。Thatdocumentisinmypocket。"
　　"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？"sheasked。
　　"Whatdoyouadvisemetodowithit？"
　　"Giveittome。"
　　"Haveyouanyclaim？"
　　Sheleanedalittlenearertohim。
　　"AtleastIhavemoreclaimtoit，"shewhispered，"thanyoutothattwentythousandpounds。"
　　"Idonotclaimthem，"hereplied。"Theyareinmysafeatthismoment，untouched。Theyaretherereadytobereturnedtotheirproperowner。"
　　"Whydoyounotfindhim？"-withanoteofincredulityinhertone。
　　"HowamItodothat？"Laverickdemanded。
　　"Wewastewords，"shecontinuedcoldly。"IthinkthatifIleaveyouwiththecontentsofyoursafe，itwillbewiseforyoutohandmethatdocument。"
　　"Iaminclinedtodoso，"Laverickadmitted。"Theveryfactthatyouknewofitsexistencewouldseemtogiveyouasortofclaimtoit。But，MademoiselleIdiale，willyouanswermeafewquestions？"
　　"Ithink，"shesaid，"thatitwouldbebetterifyouaskedmenone。"
　　"Butlisten，"hebegged。"YouaretheonlypersonwithwhomIhavecomeintotouchwhoseemstoknowanythingaboutthisaffair。I
　　shouldratherliketotellyouexactlyhowIstumbledinuponit。
　　Whycanwenotexchangeconfidenceforconfidence？Iwantneitherthetwentythousandpoundsnorthedocument。Iwant，tobefrankwithyou，nothingbuttoescapefromthepositionIamnowinofbeinghalfathiefandhalfacriminal。Showmesomeclaimtothatdocumentandyoushallhaveit。Tellmetowhomthatmoneybelongs，anditshallberestored。"
　　"Youareincomprehensible，"shedeclared。"Areyou，byanychance，playingapartwithme？Doyouthinkthatitisworthwhile？"
　　"MademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickprotestedearnestly，"nothingintheworldisfurtherfrommythoughts。Thereisverylittleoftheconspiratoraboutme。Iamaplainmanofbusinesswhostumbledinuponthisaffairatacriticalmomentanddaredtomaketemporaryuseofhisdiscovery。Youcanputit，ifyoulike，thatIamafraid。
　　Iwanttogetout。Nothingwouldgivemegreaterpleasure，ifsuchathingwerepossible，thantosendthispocket-bookanditscontentsanonymouslytoScotlandYard，andneverhearaboutthemagain。
　　Shelistenedtohimwithunchangedface。Yetforsomemomentsafterhehadfinishedspeakingshewasthoughtful。
　　"Youmaybespeakingthetruth，"shesaid。"Ifso，Ihavebeendeceived。YouarenotquitethesortofmanIdidbelieveyouwere。
　　Whatyoutellmeisamazing，butitmaybetrue。"
　　"Itisthetruth，"Laverickrepeatedcalmly。
　　"Listen，"shesaid，afterabriefpause。"Youwereatschool，wereyounot，withMr。DavidBellamy？Youknowwellwhoheis？"
　　"Perfectlywell，"Laverickadmitted。
　　"Youwouldconsiderhimapersontobetrusted？"
　　"Absolutely。"
　　"Verywell，then，"shedeclared。"Youshallcometomyfiatatfiveo'clockthisafternoonandbringthatdocument。Ifitispossible，DavidBellamyshallbetherehimself。Wewilltrythenandprovetoyouthatyoudonoharminpartingwiththatdocumenttous。"
　　"Iwillcome，"Laverickpromised，"atfiveo'clock；butyoumusttellmewhere。"
　　"Youwillputitdown，please，"shesaid。"Theremustnotbeanymistake。Youmustcome，andyoumustcometo-day。Iamstayingatnumber15，DoverStreet。Iwillleaveordersthatyouareshowninatonce。"
　　Sherosetoherfeetandhewalkedtothedoorwithher。Onthewayshehesitated。
　　"Takecareofyourselfto-day，Mr。Laverick，"shebegged。"Thereareothersbesidemyselfwhoareinterestedinthatpacketyoucarrywithyou。Yourepresenttothemthingsbesidewhichlifeanddeatharetrivialhappenings。"
　　Lavericklaughedshortly。Hewasamatter-of-factman，andthereseemedsomethingalittleabsurdinsuchawarning。
　　"Idonotthink，"hedeclared，"thatyouneedhaveanyfear。Londonis，asyoudoubtlessfindit，adulloldcity，butitisaremarkablysafeonetolivein。"
　　"Nevertheless，Mr。Laverick，"sherepeatedearnestly，"beonyourguardto-day，foralloursakes。"
　　Hebowedandchangedthesubject。
　　"Yourinvestments，"heremarked，"youwillbecontent，perhaps，toleaveastheyare。Itis，nodoubt，ofsomeinteresttoyoutoknowthattheyareshowingalreadyaprofitofconsiderablyoverathousandpounds。"
　　Sheshruggedhershoulders。
　　"Itwasanexcuse-thatinvestment，"shedeclared。"Yetmoneyisalwaysgood。Keepitforme，Mr。Laverick，anddowhatyouwill。I
　　willtrustyourjudgment。Buyorsellasyouplease。Youwillletnothingpreventyourcomingthisafternoon？"
　　"Nothing，"hepromisedher。
　　>Fromthewindowofherbeautifullyappointedlittleelectricbroughamsheheldoutherhandinfarewell。
　　"Youthinkmefoolish，Iknow，thatIpersist，"shesaid，"butIdobegthatyouwillrememberwhatIsay。Donotbealoneto-daymorethanyoucanhelp。Suspecteveryonewhocomesneartoyou。Theremaybeatrapbeforeyourfeetatanymoment。Bewaryalwaysanddonotforget-atfiveo'clockIexpectyou。"
　　Lavericksmiledashebowedhisadieux。
　　"Itisapromise，Mademoiselle，"heassuredher。
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　PENETRATINGAMYSTERY
　　AboutanhourafterMademoiselleIdiale'sdepartureanotemarked"Urgent"wasbroughtinandhandedtoLaverick。Hetoreitopen。
　　Itwasdatedfromtheaddressofafirmofstockbrokers，withtwoofthepartnersofwhichhewasonfriendlyterms。Itranthus:
　　MYDEARLAVERICK，-Iwantachatwithyou，ifyoucansparefiveminutesatlunchtime。CometoLyons'alittleearlierthanusual，ifyoudon'tmind，-sayataquartertoone。
　　J。HENSHAW。
　　Laverickreadthetypewrittennotecarelesslyenoughatfirst。Hehadevenlaiditdownandglancedattheclock，withtheintentionofstartingout，whenathoughtstruckhim。Hetookitupandreaditthoughagain。Thenheturnedtothetelephone。
　　"PutmeontotheofficeofHenshaw&Allen。IwanttospeaktoMr。
　　Henshawparticularly。"
　　Twominutespassed。Laverick，meanwhile，hadbeenwashinghishandsreadytogoout。Thenthetelephonebellrang。Hetookupthereceiver。
　　"Hullo！IsthatHenshaw？"
　　"I'mHenshaw，"wastheanswer。"That'sLaverick，isn'tit？Howareyou，oldfellow？"
　　"I'mallright，"Laverickreplied。"Whatisitthatyouwanttoseemeabout？"
　　"NothingparticularthatIknowof。WhotoldyouthatIwantedto？"
　　Laverick，whohadbeenstandingwiththeinstrumentinhishand，satdowninhischair。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"Didn'tyousendmeanoteafewminutesago，askingmetocomeouttolunchataquartertooneandmeetyouatLyons'？"
　　Henshaw'slaughwassufficientresponse。
　　"Delightedtolunchwithyouthereoranywhere，oldchap，-youknowthat，"wastheanswer，"butsomeone'sbeenputtingupapracticaljokeonyou。"
　　"Youdidnotsendmeanoteroundthismorning，then？"Laverickinsisted。
　　"I'llswearIdidn't，"camethereply。"Doyouseriouslymeanthatyou'vehadonepurportingtocomefromme？"
　　Laverickpulledhimselftogether。
　　"Well，thesignature'ssuchascrawl，"hesaid，"thatnoonecouldtellwhatthenamereallywas。IguessedatyoubutIseemtohaveguessedwrong。Good-bye！"
　　Hesetdownthereceiverandrangofftoescapefurtherquestioning。
　　Nowindeedtheplotwascommencingtothicken。Thiswasadeliberateeffortonthepartofsomeonetosecurehisabsencefromhisofficesataquartertoone。
　　Withthedocumentinhispocketandthesafesecurelylocked，Laverickfeltateaseastotheresultofanyattemptedburglaryofhispremises。Atthesametimehiscuriositywasexcited。Here，perhaps，wasachanceoffindingsomecluetothisimpenetrablemystery。
　　Thereweretheeclerksintheouteroffice。Heputonhishatanddespatchedtwoofthemonerrandsindifferentdirections。Thelasthewasobligedtotakeintohisconfidence。
　　"Halsey，"hesaid，"Iamgoingouttolunch。Atleast，IwishittobethoughtthatIamgoingouttolunch。Asamatteroffact，I
　　shallreturninabouttenminutesbythebackway。Idonotwishyou，however，toknowthis。IwantyoutohaveitinyourmindthatIhavegonetolunchandshallnotbebackuntilaquarterpasttwo。Iftherearevisitorsforme-Inquirersofanysort-actexactlyasyouwouldhavedoneifyoureallybelievedthatIwasnotinthebuilding。"
　　Halseyappearedagooddealmystified。Lavericktookhimevenfurtherintohisconfidence。
　　"Totellyouthetruth，Halsey，"hesaid，"IhavejustreceivedabogusletterfromMr。Henshaw，askingmetolunchwithhim。Someonewasevidentlyanxioustogetmeoutofmyofficeforanhourorso。Iwanttofindoutformyselfwhatthismeans，ifpossible。
　　Youunderstand？"
　　"Ithinkso，sir，"themanreplieddoubtfully。"Iamnottobeawarethatyouhavereturned，then？"
　　"Certainlynot，"Laverickanswered。"Pleasebequiteclearaboutthat。Ifyouhearanycommotionintheoffice，youcancomein，butdonotsendforthepoliceunlessItellyouto。Iwishtolookintothisaffairformyself。"
　　Halsey，whohadstartedlifeasalawyer'sclerk，andwasdistinctlyformalinhisideas，wasalittleshocked。
　　"Woulditnotbebetter，sir，"hesuggested，"formetocommunicatewiththepoliceinthefirstcase？Ifthisshouldreallyturnouttobeanattemptatburglary，itwouldsurelybebesttoleavethemattertothem。"
　　Laverickfrowned。
　　"Forcertainreasons，Halsey，whichIdonotthinkitnecessarytotellyou，Ihaveastrongdesiretoinvestigatethismatterpersonally。PleasedoexactlyasIsay。"
　　Helefttheofficeandstrolledupthestreetinthedirectionoftherestaurantwhichhechieflyfrequented。Hereacheditinamomentortwo，butleftitatoncebyanotherentrance。Withintenminuteshewasbackathisoffice。
　　"Hasanyonebeen，Halsey？"
　　"Noone，sir，"theclerkanswered。
　　"Youwillbesogood，"Laverickcontinued，"astoforgetthatI
　　havereturned。"
　　Hepassedonquicklyintohisownroomandmadehiswayintothesmallclosetwherehekepthiscoatandwashedhishands。Hehadscarcelybeenthereaminutewhenheheardvoicesintheoutsidehall。Thedoorofhisofficewasopened。
　　"Mr。Lavericksaidnothingaboutanappointmentatthishour，"heheardHalseyprotestinasomewhatdeprecatingtone。
　　"Hehad，perhaps，forgotten，"wastheanswer，inatotallyunfamiliarvoice。"Atanyrate，Iamnotinagreathurry。Thematterisofsomeimportance，however，andIwillwaitforMr。Laverick。"
　　Thevisitorwasshownin。Laverickinvestigatedhisappearancethroughacrackinthedoor。Hewasamanofmediumheight，well-dressed，clean-shaven，andworegold-rimmedspectacles。HemadehimselfcomfortableinLaverick'seasy-chair，andacceptedthepaperwhichHalseyofferedhim。
　　"Ishallbequitegladofarest，"heremarkedgenially。"Ihavebeenrunningaboutallthemorning。"
　　"Mr。Laverickisneververylongoutforlunch，sir，"Halseysaid。
　　"Idaresayhewillnotkeepyoumorethanaquarterofanhourortwentyminutes。"
　　Theclerkwithdrewandclosedthedoor。Themaninthechairwaitedforamoment。Thenhelaiddownhisnewspaperandlookedcautiouslyaroundtheroom。Satisfiedapparentlythathewasalone，herosetohisfeetandwalkedswiftlytoLaverick'swriting-table。Withfingerswhichseemedgiftedwithalightning-likecapacityformovement，heswungopenthedrawers，onebyone，andturnedoverthepapers。Hiseyeswereeverywhere。Everydocumentseemedtobescannedandasrapidlydiscarded。Atlasthefoundsomethingwhichinterestedhim。
　　Hehelditupandpausedinhissearch。Laverickheardalittlebreathcomethoughhisteeth，andwithathrillherecognizedthepaperasonewhichhehadtornfromamemorandumtabletanduponwhichhehadwrittendowntheaddresswhichMademoiselleIdialehadgivenhim。Themanwiththegold-rimmedglassesreplacedthepaperwherehehadfoundit。Evidentlyhehaddonewiththewriting-table。
　　Hemovedswiftlyovertothesafeandstoodtherelisteningforafewseconds。Thenfromhispockethedrewabunchofkeys。ToLaverick'ssurprise，atthestranger'sfirsteffortthegreatdoorofthesafeswungopen。Hesawthemanleanforward，sawhishandreappearalmostdirectlywiththepocket-bookclenchedinhisfingers。
　　Thenhestoodoncemorequitestill，listening。Satisfiedthatnoonewasdisturbed，heclosedthedoorofthesafesoftlyandmovedoncemoretothewriting-table。Withmarvelousswiftnessthenoteswerelaiduponthetable，thepocket-bookwasturnedupsidedown，thesecretplacedisclosed-thesecretplacewhichwasempty。ItseemedtoLaverickthatfromhishiding-placehecouldhearthelittleoathofdisappointmentwhichbrokefromthethinredlips。Themanreplacedthenotesand，withthepocket-bookinhishand，hesitated。
　　Laverick，whothoughtthatthingshadgonefarenough，steppedlightlyoutfromhishiding-placeandstoodbetweenhisunbiddenvisitorandthedoor。
　　"Youhadbetterputdownthatpocket-book，"heorderedquietly。
　　Themanwasuponhimwithasinglespring，butLaverick，withouttheslightesthesitation，knockedhimproneuponthefloor，wherehelay，foramoment，motionless。Thenheslowlypickedhimselfup。
　　Hisspectacleswerebroken-heblinkedashestoodthere。
　　"Sorrytobesorough，"Lavericksaid。"PerhapsifyouwillkindlyrealizethatofthetwoIammuchthestrongerman，youwillbesogoodastositinthatchairandtellmethemeaningofyourintrusion。"
　　Themanobeyed。Hecoveredhiseyeswithhishand，foramoment，asthoughinpain。
　　"Iimagine，"hesaid-anditseemedtoLaverickthathisvoicehadaslightforeignaccent-"Iimaginethatthemotiveformypayingyouthisvisitisfairlycleartoyou。Peoplewhohavecompromisingpossessionsmayalwaysexpectvisitsofthissort。Yousee，onerunssolittlerisk。"
　　"Solittlerisk！"Laverickrepeated。
　　"Exactly，"theotheranswered。"Confessthatyouarenotintheleastinclinedtoringyourbellandsendforaconstabletogivemeinchargeforbeinginpossessionofapocket-bookabstractedfromyoursafe，containingtwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes。"
　　"Itwouldn'tdoatall，"Laverickadmitted。
　　"Youareamanofcommonsense，"declaredtheother。"Itwouldnotdo。NowcomesthetimewhenIhaveaquestiontoaskyou。Therewasasealeddocumentinthispocket-book。Whereisit？Whathaveyoudonewithit？"
　　"Canyoutellme，"Laverickasked，"whyIshouldanswerquestionsfromapersonwhomIdiscoverapparentlyengagedinanefariousattemptatburglary？"
　　Theman'shandshotoutfromhistrouser-pocket，andLavericklookedintothegleamingmuzzleofarevolver。
　　"Becauseifyoudon't，youdie，"wasthequickreply。"Whetheryou'vereadthatdocumentornot，Iwantit。Ifyou'vereadit，youknowthesortofmenyou'vegottodealwith。Ifyouhaven't，takemywordforitthatwewastenotime。Thedocument！Willyougiveitme？"
　　"DoIunderstandthatyouarethreateningme？"Laverickasked，retreatingafewsteps。
　　"Youmayunderstandthatthisisarepeatingrevolver，andthatI
　　seldommissahalf-crownattwentypaces，"hisvisitoranswered。
　　"Ifyouputoutyourhandtowardthatbell，itwillbethelastmovementyou'llevermakeonearth。"
　　"Londonisn'treallytheplaceforthissortofthing，"Lavericksaid。"Ifyoudischargethatrevolver，youhaven'tadog'schanceofgettingclearofthebuilding。Myclerkswouldrushoutafteryouintothestreet。You'dfindyourselfsurroundedbyacrowdofbusinessmen。Youcouldn'tmakeyourwaythroughanywhere。You'dbeheldupbeforeyou'dgoneadozenyards。Putdownyourrevolver。
　　Wecanperhapssettlethislittlematterwithoutit。"
　　"Thedocument！"themanordered。"You'vegotit！Youmusthaveit！
　　Youtookthatpocket-bookfromadeadman，andinthatpocket-bookwasthedocument。Wemusthaveit。Weintendtohaveit。"
　　"Andwho，mayIask，arewe？"Laverickinquired。
　　"Ifyoudonotknow，whatdoesitmatter？Willyougiveittome？"
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Ihavenodocument。"
　　Themaninthechairleanedforward。Themuzzleofhisrevolverwasverybright，andhehelditinfingerswhichwerefirmasarock。
　　"Giveittome！"herepeated。"Yououghttoknowthatyouarenotdealingwithmenwhoareunaccustomedtodeath。Youhaveitaboutyou。Produceit，andI'vedonewithyou。Denyme，andyouhavenottimetosayyourprayers！"
　　Laverickwasleaningagainstasmalltablewhichstoodnearthedoor。
　　Hisfingerssuddenlygrippedtheledgerwhichlayuponit。Hehelditinfrontofhisfaceforasinglemoment，andthendasheditathisvisitor。Hefollowedbehindwithonedesperatespring。Once，twice，therevolverbarkedout。Laverickfelttheskinofhistempleburnandaflickontheearwhichremindedhimofhisschool-days。
　　Thenhishandwasupontheotherman'sthroatandtherevolverlayuponthecarpet。
　　"We'llseeaboutthat。BytheLord，I'veagoodmindtowringthelifeoutofyou。Thatbulletofyoursmighthavebeeninmytemple。"
　　"Itwasmeanttobethere，"themangasped。"Handoverthedocument，youpig-headedfool！It'llcostyouyourlife-ifnotto-day，to-morrow。"
　　"I'llbehangedifyougetit，anyway！"Laverickansweredfiercely。
　　"Youassassin！Scoundrel！Tocomehereandmakeacold-bloodedeffortatmurder！YoushallseewhatyouthinkoftheinsideofanEnglishprison。"
　　Themanlaughedcontemptuously。
　　"Andwhataboutthepocket-book？"heasked。
　　Laverickwassilent。Hisassailantsmiledandshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Come，"hesaid，"Ihavemademyeffortandfailed。Youhavetwentythousandpounds。That'safairprice，butI'lladdanothertwentythousandforthatdocumentunopened。"
　　"Itispossiblethatwemightdeal，"Laverickremarked，kickingtherevolveralittlefurtheraway。"Unfortunately，Iamtoomuchinthedark。Tellmetherealpositionofthemurderedman？Tellmewhyhewasmurdered？Tellmethecontentsofthisdocumentandwhyitwasinhispossession？PerhapsImaythenbeinclinedtotreatwithyou。"
　　"Youareeitheranastonishinglyingenuousperson，Mr。Laverick，"
　　hisvisitordeclared，"oryou'retoosubtleforme。Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyouareinthiswithyoureyesblindfolded？
　　Youdonotexpectmetobelievethatyoudonotknowwhatisinthatsealedenvelope？Bah！Itisachild'sgame，that，andweplayasmenwithmen。"
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Youroffer，"heasked，"whatisitexactly？"
　　"Twentythousandpounds，"themananswered。"Thedocumentisworthnomorethanthattoyou。Howyoucameintothisthingisamystery，butyouareinand，whatismore，youhavepossession。Twentythousandpounds，Mr。Laverick。Itisalargesumofmoney。Youfinditinteresting？"
　　"Ifinditinteresting，"Laverickanswereddryly，"butIamnotaseller。"
　　Theintrudermovedhishandawayfromhiseyes。Hisexpressionwasfullofwonder。
　　"Considerforamoment，"hesaid。"Whilethatdocumentremainsinyourpossession，youwalkthenarrowway，yourlifehangsuponathread。Bettersurrenderitandattendtoyourstocksandshares。
　　Heavenknowshowyoufirstcameintoouraffairs，butthesooneryouareoutofthemthebetter。Whatdoyousaynowtomyoffer？"
　　"Itisrefused，"Laverickdeclared。"Iregret；toadd，"hecontinued，"thatIhavealreadysparedyouallthetimeIhaveatmydisposal。Forgiveme。"
　　Hepressedabuttonwithhisfinger。Hisvisitorroseupinanger。
　　"Youarenotsuchafool！"heexclaimed。"Youarenotgoingtosendmeawaywithoutit？Why，Itellyouthattherewon'tbeasafecornerintheWorldforyou！"
　　Halseyopenedthedoor。Lavericknoddedtowardhisvisitor。
　　"Showthisgentlemanout，Halsey，"heordered。
　　Halseystarted。Thenoiseoftherevolvershothadevidentlybeenmuffledbytheheavyconnectingdoors，buttherewasasmellofgunpowderintheroom，andalittlewreathofsmoke。Themanroseslowlytohisfeet，stillblinking。
　　"Itmustbeasyouwill，ofcourse。Iwonderifyouwouldbesogoodastoletyourclerkdirectmetoanoculist？Iam，unfortunately，ahelplessmaninthiscondition。"
　　"Thereisoneafewyardsoff，"Laverickanswered。"Putonyourhat，Halsey，andshowthisgentlemanwherehecangetsomeglasses。"
　　HisvisitorleanedtowardsLaverick。
　　"Itisyourlifewhichisinquestion，notmyeyesight，"hemuttered。
　　"Doyouacceptmyoffer？Willyougivemethedocument？"
　　"IdonotandIwillnot，"Laverickreplied。"IshallnotpartwithanythinguntilIknowmorethanIknowatpresent。"
　　Themanstoodmotionlessforamoment。Hisfingersseemedtobetwitching。Laverickhadafancythathewasabouttospring，butifeverhehadhadanythoughtsofthekind，Halsey'sreappearancecheckedthem。
　　"Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Laverick，"hesaidquietly。"Weshall，perhaps，resumethisdiscussionatsomefuturedate。"
　　WiththatheturnedandfollowedHalseyoutoftheroom。Laverickwenttothewindowandthrewitwideopen。Thesmokefloatedout，thesmellofgunpowderwasgraduallydispersed。Thenhewalkedbacktohisseat。Oncemorehelockedupthenotes。Thedocumentwassafeinhispocket。Therewasaslightmarkbythesideofhistemple，andhisear，hediscovered，wasbleeding。HerangthebellandHalseyentered。
　　"Hasourfriendgone，Halsey？"
　　"Ilefthimintheoptician's，sir，"theclerkanswered。"Hewasbuyingsomespectacles。"
　　Laverickglancedatthefloor，wheretheremainsofthosegold-rimmedglasseswerescattered。
　　"Youhadbettersendforalocksmithatonce，"hesaid。"Thegentlemanwhohasbeenherehadaskeletonkeytomysafe。We'llhaveacombinationputon。"
　　"Verygood，sir，"Halseyanswered。
　　"And，Halsey，"hismastercontinued，"becarefulaboutonething，foryourownsakeaswellasmine。Ifthatmanpresentshimselfagain，don'tlethimcomeintomyroomunannounced。Ifyoucanhelpit，don'tlethimcomeinatall。Ihaveanideathathemightbedangerous。"
　　Theclerk'sfacewasastudy。
　　"Ifhepresentshimselfhere，sir，"heannouncedstiffly，"Ishalltakethelibertyofsendingforthepolice。"
　　Laverickmadenoreply。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII
　　LAVERICK'SNARROWESCAPE
　　Atpreciselyaquarterpastfour，nothinghavinghappenedinthemeantimebutasteadyrushofbusiness，Laverickorderedataxicabtobesummoned。Hethenunlockedhissafe，placedthepocket-booksecurelyinhisbreastpocket，walkedthroughtheoffice，anddirectedthemantodrivetoChanceryLane。HereattheheadquartersoftheSafeDepositCompanyheengagedacompartment，anddowninthestrong-roomlockedupthepocket-book。Therewasonlynowthedocumentleft。Steppingoncemoreintothestreet，hefoundthathistaxicabhadvanished。Helookedupanddowninvain。Themanhadnotbeenpaidandthereseemedtobenoreasonforhisdeparture。Apolicemanwhowasstandingbytouchedhishatandaddressedhim。
　　"Wereyoulookingforthattaxiyousteppedoutofafewminutesago，sir？"heasked。
　　"Iwas，"Laverickanswered。"Ihadn'tpaidhimandItoldhimtowait。"
　　"Ithoughttherewassomethingqueeraboutit，"thepolicemanremarked。"Soonafteryouhadgoneinside，twogentlemendroveupinahansom。Theygotouthereandoneofthemspoketoyourdriver，whoshookhisheadandpointedtohisflag。Thegentthensaidsomethingelsetohim-can'tsayasIheardwhatitwas，butitwasprobablyofferinghimdoublefare。Anyway，theybothgotinandoffwentyourtaxi，sir。"
　　"Thankyou，"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。"Itsoundsalittleperplexing。"
　　Hehesitatedforamoment。
　　"Constable，"hecontinued，"Ihavejustmadeaveryvaluabledepositinthere，andIhadanideathatImightbefollowed。Ihavestillinmypocketadocumentofgreatimportance。Ihavenodoubtwhateverbutthattheobjectofthemenwhohavetakenmytaxicabistoleavemeinthestreetherealoneundercircumstanceswhichwillrenderaquickattackuponmelikelytobesuccessful。"
　　ThepolicemanturnedhisheadandlookedatLaverickincredulously。
　　Hewasmorethanhalfinclinedtobelievethatthiswasapracticaljoke。WeretheynotstandingonthepavementinChanceryLane，andwasnotheanable-bodiedpolicemanofgreatbulkandimmensemuscle！
　　Yethiscompaniondidnotlookbyanymeansamanofthenervousorder。Laverickwasbroad-shouldered，hisskinwastannedawholesomecolor，hisbearingwasthebearingofamanpreparedtodefendhimselfatanytime。Theconstablesmiledinanon-committalmanner。
　　"Ifyou'llexcusemysayingso，sir，"heremarked，"Idon'tthinkthisisexactlythespotanyonewouldchooseforanassault。"
　　"Iagreewithyou，"Laverickanswered，"but，ontheotherhand，youmustrememberthatthesegentlemenhavehadnochoice。Isteppedfrommyofficedirectintothetaxi，andIproposedtodrivestraightfromheretotheplacewhereIshallprobablyleavetheotherdocumentIamcarryingwithme。WhyIhavetakenyouintomyconfidenceistoaskyouthis。Canyouwalkwithmetothecornerofthestreet，oruntilwemeetataxicab？itsoundscowardly，but，asamatteroffact，Iamnotafraid。Isimplywanttomakesureofdeliveringthisdocumenttothepersontowhomitbelongs。"
　　Theconstablestoodstill，alittleperplexed。
　　"Mybeat，sir，"hesaid，"onlygoesabouttwenty-fiveyardsfurtheron。IwillwalktothecornerofHolbornwithyou，ifyoudesireit。Atthesametime，ImaysaythatIambreakingregulations。
　　HowdoIknowthatitisnotyourschemetogetmeawayfromthisneighborhoodforsomepurposeofyourown？"
　　"Youdon'tbelieveanythingofthesort，"Laverickdeclared，withasmile。
　　"Idonot，sir，"thepolicemanadmitted。"Keepbymyside，andI
　　thinkthatnothingwillhappentoyoubeforewereachHolborn。"
　　Laverickwasamanofmorethanmediumheight，butbythesideofthepolicemanheseemedshort。Bothscannedthefacesofthepassers-byclosely-thepolice-manwithmildinterest，Laverickwithalmostfeverishanxiety。Itwasagrayafternoon，pleasantbutclose。ThereseemedtobenothingwhatevertoaccountforthefeelingofnervousnesswhichhadsuddenlycomeoverLaverick。Hefelthimselfindanger-hehadnoideahow，orinwhatway-buttheconvictionwasthere。Hetookeverystepfullyalert，absolutelyonhisguard。
　　TheywerealmostwithinsightofHolbornwhenacryfromthebystanderscausedthemtolookawayintothemiddleoftheroad。
　　Laverickonlycastoneglancethereandabandonedeveryinstinctofcuriosity，thinkingoncemoreonlyofhimselfandhisownposition。Withtheconstable，however，itwasnaturallydifferent。
　　Hesawsomethingwhichcalledatonceforhisintervention，andheimmediatelyforgotthesomewhatsingulartaskuponwhichhewasengaged。Amanhadfalleninthemiddleofthestreet，eitherknockeddownbytheshaftofapassingvehicleorinsomesortoffit。Therewasatangleofrearinghorses，anomnibuswasmakingdesperateeffortstoavoidtheprostratebody。Theconstablesprangtotherescue。Laverick，instantlysuspiciousandrealizingthattherewasnooneinfrontofhim，turnedswiftlyaround。Hewasjustintimetoreceiveuponhisleftarmtheblowwhichhadbeenmeantforthebackofhishead。Hewasconfrontedbyamandressedexactlyashehimselfwas，inmorningcoatandsilkhat，amanwithlong，leanfaceandlegalappearance，suchapersonaswouldhavepassedanywherewithoutattractingamoment'ssuspicion。
　　Yet，inthespaceofafewsecondshehadwhippedoutfromonepocket，withtheskillalmostofajuggler，avicious-lookinglife-preserver，andfromtheotherapocket-handkerchiefsoakedwithchloroform。Laverick，quickandresourceful，feelinghisleftarmsinkhelpless，struckatthemanwithhisrightandsenthimstaggeringagainstthewall。Thehandkerchief，withitsloadofsickeningodor，felltothepavement。Themanwasobviouslyworsted。Lavericksprangathim。Theywerealmostunobserved，forthecrowdwasallintentupontheaccidentintheroadway。
　　Withwonderfulskill，hisassailanteludedhisattempttoclose，andtoreathiscoat。Laverickstruckathimagainbutmetonlytheair。Theman'sfingersnowwereuponhispocket，butthistimeLaverickmadenomistake。Hestruckdownwardsohardthatwithafiercecryofpainthemanrelaxedhishold。Beforehecouldrecover，Laverickhadstruckhimagain。Hereeledintothecrowdthatwasfastgatheringaroundthem，attractedbywhatseemedtobeafightbetweentwomenofunexceptionableappearance。
　　Buttherewastobenomorefight。Throughthepeople，swift-footed，cunning，resourceful，hisassailantseemedtofindsomehiddenway。Laverickglaredfiercelyaroundhim，butthemanhadgone。Hislefthandcrepttohischest。Thevictorywaswithhim；thedocumentwasstillthere。
　　Attheoutsideofthedoublecrowdheperceivedataxi。Ignoringthestormofquestionswithwhichhewasassailed，andtheadvancinghelmetofhisfriendthepolicemanatthebackofthecrowd，Laverickhaileditandsteppedquicklyinside。
　　"BackoutofthisanddrivetoDoverStreet，"hedirected。Themanobeyedhim。Peopleracedtolookthroughthewindowathim。
　　Theothercommotionhaddiedaway，-themanintheroadhadgotupandwalkedoff。Apolicemancamehurryingalongbuthewasjusttoolate。VerysoontheywereontheirwaydownHolborn。OncemoreLaverickhadescaped。
　　AFrenchman-servant，withthesadfaceandimmaculatedressofaHigh-Churchcleric，tookpossessionofhimassoonashehadaskedforMademoiselleIdiale。Hewasshownintooneofthemostdelightfullittleroomshehadeverevendreamedof。ThewallswerehungwiththatpeculiarshadeofbluesatinwhichMademoisellesooftenaffectedinherclothes。Laverick，whowassomethingofaconnoisseur，sawnowhereanyobjectwhichwasnot，ofitssort，priceless，-Frenchfurnitureofthebestandchoicestperiod，astatuettewhichmadehim，foramoment，almostforgetthescenefromwhichhehadjustarrived。Theairintheroomseemedasthoughithadpassedthroughagroveoflemontrees，-itwasfreshandsweetyetcuriouslyfragrant。Lavericksankdownintooneoftheluxuriousblue-brocadedchairs，consciousforthefirsttimethathewasoutofbreath。Thenthedooropenedsilentlyandthereenterednotthewomanwhomhehadbeenexpecting，butMr。
　　Lassen。Laverickrosetohisfeethalfdoubtfully。Lassen'ssmall，queerly-shapedfaceseemedtohavebecomeonehugeingratiatingsmile。
　　"Iamverygladtoseeyou，Mr。Laverick，"hesaid，-"verygladindeed。"
　　"IhavecometocalluponMademoiselleIdiale，"Laverickanswered，somewhatcurtly。Hehaddislikedthismanfromthefirstmomenthehadseenhim，andhesawnoparticularreasonwhyheshouldconcealhisfeelings。
　　"Iamheretoexplain，"Mr。Lassencontinued，seatinghimselfoppositetoLaverick。"MademoiselleIdialeisunfortunatelypreventedfromseeingyou。Shehasaseverenervousheadache，andheronlychanceofappearingtonightistoremainperfectlyundisturbed。Womenofherposition，asyoumayunderstand，havetobeexceptionallycareful。Itwouldbeaveryseriousmatterindeedifshewereunabletosingto-night。"
　　"Iamexceedinglysorrytohearit，"Laverickanswered。"Inthatcase，IwillcallagainwhenMademoiselleIdialehasrecovered。"
　　"Byallmeans，mydearsir！"Mr。Lassenexclaimed。"Manytimes，letushope。Butinthemeantime，thereisalittleaffairofadocumentwhichyouweregoingtodelivertoMademoiselle。Sheismostanxiousthatyoushouldhandittome-mostanxious。Shewilltenderyouherthankspersonally，tomorroworthenextday，ifsheiswellenoughtoreceive。"
　　Laverickshookhisheadfirmly。
　　"Undernocircumstances，"hedeclared，"shouldIthinkofdeliveringthedocumentintoanyotherhandssavethoseofMademoiselleIdiale。
　　Totellyouthetruth，Ihadnotfullydecidedwhethertopartwithiteventoher。Iwassimplypreparedtohearwhatshehadtosay。
　　ButitmaysavetimeifIassureyou，Mr。Lassen，thatnothingwouldinducemetopartwithittoanyoneelse。"
　　TherewasnotraceleftofthatingratiatingsmileuponMr。Lassen'sface。Hehadtheappearancenowofanuglyanimalabouttoshowitsteeth。Laverickwassuddenlyonhisguard。Moreadventures，hethought，castingasomewhatcontemptuousglanceatthephysiqueoftheotherman。Helaidhisfingersasthoughcarelesslyuponasmallbronzeornamentwhichreposedamongstothersonatablebyhisside。IfMr。Lassen'sfatanduglyhandshouldstealtowardhispocket，Laverickwaspreparedtohurltheornamentathishead。
　　"Iamverysorrytohearyousaythat，Mr。Laverick，"Lassensaidslowly。"Ihopeverymuchthatyouwillseeyourwaycleartochangeyourmind。IcanassureyouthatIhaveasmuchrighttothedocumentasMademoiselleIdiale，andthatitisherearnestwishthatyoushouldhanditovertome。Further，Imayinformyouthatthedocumentitselfisamostincriminatingone。Itspossessionuponyourperson，oruponthepersonofanyonewhowasnotuponhisguard，mightbeaveryseriousmatterindeed。"
　　Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Asamatteroffact，"hedeclared，"Icertainlyhavenoideaofcarryingitaboutwithme。Ontheotherhand，Ishallpartwithittonoone。ImightdiscussthematterwithMademoiselleIdialeassoonassheisrecovered。Iamnotdisposed-Imeannooffence，sir-butImaysayfranklythatIamnotdisposedeventodoasmuchwithyou。"
　　Laverickrosetohisfeetwiththeobviousintentionofleaving。
　　Lassenfollowedhisexampleandconfrontedhim。
　　"Mr。Laverick，"hesaid，"inyourowninterestsyoumustnottalklikethat，-inyourowninterests，Isay。"
　　"Atanyrate，"Laverickremarked，"myinterestsarebetterlookedafterbymyselfthanbystrangers。Youmustforgivemyadding，Mr。Lassen，thatyouareastrangertome。"
　　"NomoresothanMademoiselleIdiale！"thelittlemanexclaimed。
　　"MademoiselleIdialehasgivenmecertainproofthatsheknewatleastoftheexistenceofthisdocument，"Laverickanswered。"Shehasestablished，therefore，acertainclaimtomyconsideration。
　　YouannounceyourselfasMademoiselleIdiale'sdeputy，butyoubringmenoproofofthefact，nor，inanycase，amIdisposedtotreatwithyou。Youmustallowmetowishyougoodafternoon。"
　　Lassenshookhishead。
　　"Mr。Laverick，"hedeclared，"youaretooimpetuous。Youforcemetoremindyouthatyourownpositionasholderofthatdocumentisnotaverysecureone。Allthepoliceinthiscapitalaresearchingto-dayforthemanwhokilledthatunfortunatecreaturewhowasfoundmurderedinCrookedFriars'Alley。Iftheycouldfindthemanwhowasinpossessionofhispocket-book，whowasinpossessionoftwentythousandpoundstakenfromthedeadman'sbodyandwithithadsavedhisbusinessandhiscredit，howthen，doyouthink？
　　Isaynothingofthedocument。"
　　Laverickwassilentforamoment。Herealized，however，thattomaketermswiththismanwasimpossible。Besides，hedidnottrusthim。HedidnoteventrusthimsofarastobelievehimtheaccreditedenvoyofMademoiselle。
　　"Myunfortunateposition，"Lavericksaid，"hasnothingwhatevertodowiththematter。WhereyougotyourinformationfromIcannotsay。Ineitheracceptnordenyit。ButIcanassureyouthatI
　　amnottobeintimidated。Thisdocumentwillremaininmypossessionuntilsomeonecanshowmeaverygoodreasonforpartingwithit。"
　　Lassenbeatthebackofthechairagainstwhichhewasstandingwithhisclenchedfist。
　　"Areasonwhyyoushouldpartwithit！"heexclaimedfiercely。"Man，itstaresyouthereintheface！Ifyoudonotpartwithit，youwillbearrestedwithintwenty-fourhoursforthemurderorcomplicityinthemurderofRudolphVonBehrling！ThatIswear！ThatIshallseetomyself！"
　　"Inwhichcase，"Laverickremarked，"thedocumentwillfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice。"
　　Theshottold。Laverickcouldhavelaughedashewatcheditseffectuponhislistener。Mr。Lassen'sfacewasblackwithunutteredcurses。HelookedasthoughhewouldhavefallenuponLaverickbodily。
　　"Whatdoyouknowaboutitscontents？"hehissed。"WhydoyousupposeitwouldnotsuitmypurposetohaveitfallintothehandsoftheEnglishpolice？"
　　"Icanseenoreasonwhatever，"Laverickanswered，"whyIshouldtakeyouintomyconfidenceastohowmuchIknowandhowmuchIdonotknow。Iwishyougoodafternoon，Mr。Lassen！IshallbereadytowaituponMademoiselleIdialeatanytimeshesendsforme。Butincaseitshouldinterestyoutobemadeawareofthefact，"headded，withalittlebow，"Iamnotgoingroundwiththisterribledocumentinmypossession。"
　　Hemovedtothedoor。Alreadyhishandwasupontheknobwhenhesawthemovementforwhichhehadwatched。Laverick，withasinglebound，wasuponhiswould-beassailant。Thehandwhichhadalreadycloseduponthebuttofthesmallrevolverwasgrippedasthoughinavice。WithascreamofpainLassendroppedtheweaponuponthefloor。Laverickpickeditup，thrustitintohiscoatpocketand，takingtheman'scollarwithbothhands，heshookhimtilltheeyesseemedstartingfromhisheadandhisshrieksoffearwerechangedintomoans。Thenheflunghimintoacorneroftheroom。
　　"Youcowardlybrute！"heexclaimed。"Youcomeofthebreedofmenwhoshootfrombehind。IfeverIlaymyhandsuponyouagain，you'llbeluckyifyoulivetowhimperaboutit。"
　　Helefttheroomandrangforthelift。Hesawnotraceofanyservantsinthehall，norheardanysoundofanyonemoving。FromDoverStreethedrovestraighttoZoe'shouse。Keepingthecabwaiting，heknockedatthedoor。Sheopeneditherselfatonce，andhereyesglowedwithpleasure。
　　"Howdelightful！"shecried。"Pleasecomein。Haveyoucometotakemetothetheatre？"
　　Hefollowedherintotheparlorandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
　　"Zoe，"hesaid，"Iamgoingtoaskyouafavor。"
　　"Meafavor？"sherepeated。"Ithinkyouknowhowhappyitwillmakemeifthereisanything-anythingatallintheworldthatI
　　coulddo。"
　　"Aweekago，"Laverickcontinued，"Iwasanhonestbutnotverysuccessfulstockbroker，withanaturallongingforadventureswhichnevercamemyway。Sincethenthingshavealtered。Ihavestumbledinuponthemostcuriouslittlechainofhappeningswhicheverbecameentwinedwiththelifeofacommonplacebeinglikemyself。
　　Thenetresult，forthemoment，isthis。EveryoneistryingtostealfrommeacertaindocumentwhichIhaveinmypocket。Iwanttohideitforthenight。Icannotgotothepolice，itistoolatetogobacktoChanceryLane，andIhaveaninstinctivefeelingthatmyflatisabsolutelyatthemercyofmyenemies。MayIhidemydocumentinyourroom？Idonotbelieveforamomentthatanyonewouldthinkofsearchinghere。"
　　"Ofcourseyoumay，"sheanswered。"Butlisten。Canyouseeoutintothestreetwithoutmovingverymuch？"
　　Heturnedhishead。Hehadbeenstandingwithhisbacktothewindow，andZoehadbeenfacingit。
　　"Yes，Icanseeintothestreet，"heassented。
　　"Tellme-youseethattaxiontheothersideoftheway？"sheasked。
　　Henodded。
　　"Itwasn'ttherewhenIdroveup，"heremarked。
　　"Iwasatthewindow，lookingout，whenyoucame，shesaid。"ItfollowedyououtfromtheSquareintothisstreet。Directlyyoustopped，Isawthemanputonthebrakeandpulluphiscab。Itseemedtomesostrange，justasthoughsomeonewerewatchingyouallthetime。"
　　Laverickstoodstill，lookingoutofthewindow。
　　"Wholivesinthehouseopposite？"heasked。
　　"Iamafraid，"sheanswered，"thattherearenoverynicepeoplewholiveroundhere。ThepeoplewhomIseecominginandoutofthathousearenotnicepeopleatall。"
　　"Iunderstand，"hesaid。"Thankyou，Zoe。Youareright。WhateverIdowithmypreciousdocument，Iwillnotleaveithere。Totellyouthetruth，Ithought，forcertainreasons，thatafterIhadpaidmylastcallthisafternoonIshouldnotbefollowedanymore。ComebackwithmeandIwillgiveyousomedinnerbeforeyougotothetheatre。"
　　Sheclappedherhands。
　　"Ishallloveit，"shedeclared。"Butwhatshallyoudowiththedocument？"
　　"IshalltakearoomattheMilanHotel，"hesaid，"andgiveittothecashier。Theyhaveawonderfulsafethere。ItisthebestthingIcanthinkof。Canyousuggestanything？"
　　Sheconsideredforamoment。
　　"Doyouknowwhatisinside？"sheasked。
　　Heshookhishead。
　　"Ihavenoidea。Itisthemostmysteriousdocumentintheworld，sofarasIamconcerned。"
　　"Whynotopenitandreadit？"shesuggested；"thenyouwillknowexactlywhatitisallabout。Youcanlearnitbyheartandtearitup。"
　　"Imustthinkthatover，"hesaid。"Onesecondbeforewegoout。"
　　HetookfromhispockettherevolverwhichLassenhaddropped。Itwasaperfectlittleweapon，andfullycharged。Hereplaceditinhispocket，keepinghisfingeruponthetrigger。
　　"Now，Zoe，ifyouareready，"hesaid，"comealong。"
　　Theysteppedoutandenteredthetaxi，unmolested，andLaverickordered:
　　"TotheMilanHotel。"
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　LASSEN'STREACHERYDISCOVERED
　　Abouttwentyminutespastsixonthesameevening，Bellamy，hisclothesthickwithdust，hisfacedarkwithanger，jumpedlightlyfromasixtyhorse-powercarandrangthebelloftheliftatnumber15，DoverStreet。Arrivedonthefirstfloor，hewasconfrontedalmostimmediatelybythesad-facedman-servantofMademoiselleIdiale。
　　"Mademoiselleisin？"Bellamyaskedquickly。
　　Theman'sexpressionwasoneofsombreregret。
　　"Mademoiselleisspendingthedayinthecountry，sir。Bellamytookhimbytheshouldersandflunghimagainstthewall。
　　"Thankyou，"hesaid，"I'veheardthatbefore。"
　　HewalkeddownthepassageandknockedsoftlyatthedoorofLouise'ssleepingapartment。Therewasnoanswer。Heknockedagainandlistenedatthekey-hole。Therewassomemovementinsidebutnoonespoke。
　　"Louise，"hecriedsoftly，"letmein。ItisI-David。"
　　Againtheonlyreplywasthestrangestofsounds。Almostitseemedasthoughawomanweretryingtospeakwithahandoverhermouth。
　　ThenBellamysuddenlystiffenedintorigidattention。Therewerevoicesinthesmallreceptionroom，-thevoiceofHenri，thebutler，andanother。Reluctantlyheturnedawayfromthecloseddoorandwalkedswiftlydownthepassage。Heenteredthereceptionroomandlookedaroundhiminamazement。Itwasstillindisorder。Lassensatinaneasy-chairwithatumblerofbrandybyhisside。Henriwastyingabandagearoundhishead，hiscollarwastorn，thereweremarksofbloodabouthisshirt。Bellamy'seyessparkled。Heclosedthedoorbehindhim。
　　"Come，"heexclaimed，"afterall，Ifancythatmyarrivalissomewhatopportune！"
　　Henriturnedtowardshimwithareproachfulgesture。
　　"MonsieurLassenhasbeenunwell，Monsieur，"hesaid。"Hehashadafitandfallendown。"
　　Bellamylaughedcontemptuously。
　　"IthinkIcanreconstructthescenealittlebetterthanthat，"hedeclared。"Whatdoyousay，Mr。Lassen？"
　　Themanglaredathimviciously。
　　"Idonotknowwhatyouaretalkingabout，"hesaid。"Idonotwishtospeaktoyou。Iamill。YouhadbettergoandpersuadeMademoiselletoreturn。SheisatDover，waiting。"
　　"Youarealiar！"Bellamyanswered。"Sheisinherroomnow，lockedup-guarded，perhaps，byoneofyourcreatures。Ihavebeenhalf-waytoDover，butItumbledtoyourschemeintime，Mr。Lassen。
　　YoufoundourfriendLaverickatrifleawkward，Ifancy。"
　　Lassensworethroughhisteethbutsaidnothing。
　　"Fromyoursomewhatdishevelledappearance，"Bellamycontinued，"I
　　thinkImayconcludethatyouwerenotabletocometoanyamicablearrangementwithMademoiselle'svisitor。Hedeclinedtoacceptyouasherproxy，Iimagine。Still，onemustmakesure。"
　　Headvancedquickly。Lassenshrankbackinhischair。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"heaskedgruffly。"Keephimawayfromme，Henri。Ringthebellforyourotherman。Thisfellowwilldomeamischief。"
　　"NotI，"Bellamyansweredscornfully。"Staywhereyouare，Henri。
　　ToyourotheraccomplishmentsIhavenodoubtyouincludethatofvaleting。Takeoffhiscoat。"
　　"But，Monsieur！"Henriprotested。
　　"I'md-difheshall！"themaninthechairsnarled。
　　Bellamyturnedtothedoor，lockedit，andputthekeyinhispocket。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"IdonotforonemomentbelievethatLaverickhandedovertoyouthedocumentyouweresoanxioustoobtain。Ontheotherhand，Iimaginethatyoursomewhatbatteredappearanceistheresultoffruitlessargumentonyourpartwithaviewtoinducinghimtodoso。Nevertheless，Icanaffordtorunnorisks。Thecoatfirst，please，Henri。ItisnecessarythatIsearchitthoroughly。"
　　Therewasabriefhesitation。Bellamy'shandwentreluctantlyintohispocket。
　　"Ihatetoseemmelodramatic，"hedeclared，"andInevercarryfirearms，butIhavealittlelife-preserverherewhichIhavelearnedhowtouseprettyeffectively。Come，youknow，itisn'tafairfight。You'vehadallyouwant，Lassen，andHenritherehasn'tthemuscleofachicken。"
　　Lassenrose，groaning，tohisfeetandallowedhiscoattoberemoved。Bellamyglancedthroughthepockets，holdingoneletterforamomentinhishandsasheglancedattheaddress。
　　"ThewritingofourfriendStreuss，"heremarked，withasmile。
　　"No，youneednotfear，Lassen！Iamnotgoingtoreadit。Thereisplentyofproofofyourtreacherywithoutthis。"
　　Lassen'sfacewaslividandhiseyesseemedlikebeads。Bellamyhandedbackthecoat。
　　"That'sallright，"hesaid。"Nothingthere，Iamgladtosee-orinthewaistcoat，"headded，passinghishandsoverit。"I'lltroubleyoutostandupforamoment，Mr。Lassen。"
　　ThemandidashewasbidandBellamyfelthimallover。Whenhehadfinished，heheldinhishandakey。
　　"ThekeyofMademoiselle'schamber，Ihavenodoubt，"heannounced，"Iwillleaveyou，then，whileIseewhatdeviltryyouhavebeenupto。"
　　Hewalkedcalmlytothetablewhichstoodbythewindowanddeliberatelycutthetelephonewire。Withtheinstrumentunderhisarm，helefttheroom。Lassenblunderedtohisfeetasthoughtointercepthim，butBellamy'seyessuddenlyflashedredfury，andthelife-preserverofwhichhehadspokenglitteredabovehishead。
　　Lassenstaggeredaway。
　　"I'malong-sufferingman，"Bellamysaid，"andifyoudon'tremembernowthatyou'rethebeatendog，Imaylosemytemper。"
　　Helockedthemin，walkeddownthepassageandopenedthedoorofLouise'sbedchamberwithfingersthattrembledalittle。Withasmotheredoathhecutthecordfromthearmsofthemaidandthegagfromhermouth。Louise，cladinalooseafternoongown，waslyinguponthebed，asthoughasleep。Bellamysawwithanimpulseofreliefthatshewasbreathingregularly。
　　"ThisisLassen'swork，ofcourse！"heexclaimed。"Whathavetheydonetoher？"
　　Themaidspokethickly。Shewasverypale，andunsteadyuponherfeet。
　　"Itwassomethingtheyputinherwine，"shefaltered。"IheardMr。
　　Lassensaythatitwouldkeepherquietforthreeorfourhours。I
　　think-Ithinkthatsheiswakingnow。"
　　Louiseopenedhereyesandlookedatthemwithamazement。Bellamysatbythesideofthebedandsupportedherwithhisarm。
　　"Itisonlyaskirmish，dear，"hewhispered，"anditisadrawnbattle，althoughyougottheworstofit。"
　　Sheputherhandtoherhead，strugglingtoremember。
　　"Mr。Laverickhasbeenhere？"sheasked。
　　"Hehas。YourfriendLassenhasbeentakingahandinthegame。I
　　cameheretofindyoulikethisandAnnettetiedup。Henriisinwithhim。WhathasbecomeofyourotherservantsIdon'tknow。"
　　"Henriaskedforaholidayforthem，"shesaid，thecolorslowlyreturningtohercheeks。"Ibegintounderstand。Buttellme，whathappenedwhenMr。Laverickcame？"
　　"Icanonlyguess，"Bellamyanswered，"butitseemsthatLassenmusthavereceivedhimasthoughwithyourauthority。"
　　"Andwhatthen？"sheaskedquickly。
　　"Iamalmostcertain，"Bellamydeclared，"thatLaverickrefusedtohaveanythingtodowithhim。IreceivedawirefromDovertosaythatyouwereonyourwayhome，andaskingmetomeetyouattheLordWardenHotel。IborrowedMontresor'sracing-car，butIsenttelegrams，andIwasprettysoononmywayback。WhenIarrivedhere，IfoundLasseninyourlittleroomwithabrokenhead。
　　EvidentlyLaverickandhehadascrimmageandhegottheworstofit。Ihavesearchedhimtohisbonesandhehasnopaper。Laverickbroughtithere，withoutadoubt，andhastakenitawayagain。"
　　Sherosetoherfeet。
　　"GoandletLassenout，"shesaid。"Tellhimhemustnevercomehereagain。IwillseehimattheOperaHouseto-nightorto-morrownight-thatis，ifIcangetthere。IdonotknowwhetherIshallfeelfittosing。"
　　"Ishalltaketheliberty，also，"remarkedBellamy，"ofkickingHenriout。"
　　Louisesighed。
　　"Hewassuchagoodservant。IthinkitmusthavecostourfriendStreussagooddealtobuyHenri。Youwillcomebacktomewhenyouhavefinishedwiththem？"
　　Bellamymadeshortworkofhisdiscomfitedprisoners。LassenwassurlybutonlyeagertodepartHenriwasresignedbuttearful。
　　Almostastheywenttheotherservantsbegantoreturnfromtheirvariousmissions。BellamywentbacktoLouise，whowaslyingdownagainanddrinkingsometea。ShemotionedBellamytocomeovertoherside。
　　"Tellme，"sheasked，"whatareyougoingtodonow？"
　　"IamgoingtodowhatIoughttohavedonebefore，"Bellamyanswered。
　　"Laverick'sconnectionwiththisaffairissuspiciousenough，butafterallheisasportsmanandanEnglishman。Iamgoingtotellhimwhatthatenvelopecontains-tellhimthetruth。"
　　"Youareright！"sheexclaimed。"Whateverhemayhavedone，ifyoutellhimthetruthhewillgiveyouthatdocument。Iamsureofit。
　　Doyouknowwheretofindhim？"
　　"Ishallgotohisrooms，"Bellamydeclared。"Imustbequick，too，forLassenisfree-theywillknowthathehasfailed。"
　　"Comebacktome，David，"shebegged，andhekissedherfingersandhurriedout。
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　THECONTESTFORTHEPAPERS
　　Laverick，sittingwithZoeatdinner，caughthiscompanionlookingaroundtherestaurantwithanexpressioninherfacewhichhedidnotwhollyunderstand。
　　"Somethingisthematterwithyouthisevening，Zoe，"hesaidanxiously。"Tellmewhatitis。Youdon'tlikethisplace，perhaps？"
　　"OfcourseIdo。"
　　"Itisyourdinner，then，orme？"hepersisted。"Come，outwithit。
　　Haven'twepromisedtotelleachotherthetruthalways？"
　　Thepinkcolorcameslowlyintohercheeks。Hereyes，raisedforamomenttohis，werealmostreproachful。
　　"Youknowverywellthatitisnotanythingtodowithyou，"shewhispered。"Youaretookindtomeallthetime。Only，"shewenton，alittlehesitatingly，"don'tyourealize-can'tyouseehowdifferentlymostofthegirlsherearedressed？Idon'tmindsomuchformyself-butyou-youhavesomanyfriends。Youkeeponseeingpeoplewhomyouknow。IamafraidtheywillthinkthatI
　　oughtnottobehere。"
　　Helookedatherinsurprise，mingled，perhaps，withcompunction。
　　Forthefirsttimeheappreciatedtheactualshabbinessofherclothes。Everythingaboutherwassoneat-patheticallyneat，asitseemedtohiminoneilluminatingmomentofrealization。Thewhitelinencollar，notwithstandingitsfrayededges，wasspotlesslyclean。Theblackbowwascarefullytiedtoconcealitswornparts。
　　Hergloveshadbeenstitchedagoodmanytimes。Hergown，althoughitwastidy，wasold-fashionedandhaddistinctlyseenitsbestdays。
　　Hesuddenlyrecognizedtheeffort-thealmostdespairingeffort-
　　whichhertoilettehadcosther。
　　"Idon'tthinkthatmennoticethesethings，"hesaidsimply。"Tomeyoulookjustasyoushouldlook-andIwouldn'tchangeplaceswithanyothermanintheroomforagreatdeal。"
　　Hereyesweresoft-perilouslysoft-asshelookedathimwithupliftedeyebrowsandafaintsmilestrugglingatthecornersofherlips。Awaveoftendernesscreptintohisheart。Whatabravelittlechildshewas！
　　"Youwillquitespoilmeifyoumakesuchnicespeeches，"shemurmured。
　　"Anyhow，"hewenton，speakingwithdecision，"solongasyoufeellikethat，youaregoingtohaveanewgown-ortwo-andanewhat，andyouaregoingtohavethematonce。Theyaregoingtobeboughtwithyourbrother'smoney，mind。ShallIcomeshoppingwithyou？"
　　Sheshookherhead。