Bellamylingeredbehind。ForamomentheheldLouiseinhisarmsandgazedsorrowfullyintoherwearyface。
　　"Isitworthwhile，Iwonder？"heaskedbitterly。
　　"Worthwhile，"sheanswered，openinghereyesandlookingathim，"tofeelthemotherlove？Whocanhelpitwhowouldnotbeignoble？"
　　"Butyours，dear，"hemurmured，"isallgrief。EvennowIamafraid。"
　　"Wecandonomorethantoiltotheend，"shesaid。"David，youaresurethistime？"
　　"Iamsure，"hereplied。"IamgoingbacknowtothehotelwhereLaverickisstaying。Wearegoingtosittogetherandsmokeuntilthemorning。Nothingshortofanarmycouldstormthehotel。I
　　waswiththemallonlyanhourago，-Streuss，thatblackguardLassen，andAdolfKahn，thepolicespy。Theyarebeatenmenandtheyknowit。TheyhadLaverick，hadhimbyatrick，butImadeadramaticentranceandthegamewasup。"
　　"TelephonemedirectlyyouhavetakenitsafelytoDowningStreet，"
　　shebegged。
　　"Iwill，"hepromised。
　　BellamywalkedfromDoverStreettotheStrand。Thestreetswerealmostbrilliantwiththecold，hardmoonlight。Theairseemedcuriouslykeen。Onceortwicethefallofhisfeetuponthepavementwassoclearanddistinctthathefanciedhewasbeingfollowedandglancedsharplyaround。HereachedtheMilanHotel，however，withoutadventure，andlookedtowardsthelittleopenspaceinthehallwherehehadexpectedtofindLaverick。Therewasnoonethere！Hestoodstillforamoment，troubledwithasuddensenseofapprehension。Theplacewasdesertedexceptforacoupleofsleepy-lookingclerksandasmallarmyofcleanersbusywiththeirmachinesdownintherestaurant，movingaboutlikemysteriousfiguresinthedimlight。
　　Bellamyturnedbacktothehall-porterwhohadadmittedhim。
　　"DoyouhappentoknowwhathasbecomeofthegentlemanwhomIwaswithaboutanhourago？"heasked，-"atall，fairgentleman-Mr。
　　Laverickhisnamewas？"
　　Thehall-porterrecognizedBellamyandtouchedhishat。
　　"Why，yes，sir！"heansweredwithasomewhatmysteriousair。"Mr。
　　Laverickwassittingoverthereinaneasy-chairuntilabouthalf-an-hourago。Thentwogentle-menarrivedinataxicabandinquiredforhim。Theytalkedforalittletime，andfinallyMr。
　　Laverickwentawaywiththem。"
　　Bellamywaspuzzled。
　　"Wentawaywiththem？"herepeated。"Idon'tunderstandthat，Reynolds。HewastohavewaitedheretillIreturned。"
　　Themanhesitated。
　　"Itdidn'tstrikeme，sir，"hesaid，"thatMr。Laverickwasverywishfultogo。Itseemedasthoughhehadn'tmuchchoiceaboutthematter。"
　　Bellamylookedathimkeenly。
　　"Tellmewhatisinyourmind？"heasked。
　　"Mr。Bellamy，sir，"thehall-porterreplied，"Iknewoneofthosegentlemenbysight。HewasadetectivefromScotlandYard，andtheonewhowaswithhimwasapolicemaninplainclothes。"
　　"GoodGod！"Bellamyexclaimed。"Youthink，then，-"
　　"Iamafraidtherewasnodoubtaboutit，sir，"themananswered。
　　"Mr。Laverickwasarrestedonsomecharge。"
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　MORRISON'SDISCLOSURE
　　IntoNewOxfordStreet，oneoftheceaselessstreamsofpolyglothumanity，cameZoefromhercheerlessdayboundforthetheatre。
　　Shewasalittlewhiter，alittlemoretiredthanusual。AlldaylongshehadheardnothingofLaverick。Alldaylongshehadsatinhertinyroomwiththememoryofthathorriblenightbeforeher。
　　Shehadtriedinvaintosleep，-shehadmadenoeffortwhatevertoeat。SheknewnowwhyArthurMorrisonhadfledaway。Sheknewthecauseofthatparoxysmoffearinwhichhehadsoughtherout。
　　Thehorrorofthewholethinghadcreptintoherbloodlikepoison。
　　Lifewasoncemoreadreary，profitlessstruggle。Allthewonderfuldreams，whichhadmadeexistenceseemalmostlikeafairy-taleforthislastweek，hadfadedaway。Shewasoncemoreamournfullittlewaifamongthepitilesscrowds。
　　SheturnedtotheleftandpasttheHolbornTube。Boyswereshoutingeverywherethecontentsoftheeveningpapers。Nearlyeveryoneseemedtobecarryingoneofthepinksheets。Sheherselfpassedonwithunseeingeyes。Newswasnothingtoher。Governmentsmightriseandfall，warmightcomeandgo，-shehadstilllifetosupport，afriendlesslittlelife，too，ontwopoundsfifteenshillingsaweek。Thenewstheyshoutedfellupondeafears，butoneboyunfurledalmostbeforehereyestheheadlinesofhissheet。
　　SENSATIONALARRESTOFAWELL-KNOWN
　　STOCKBROKER。CHARGEOFMURDER。
　　Shecametoasuddenstopandpulledoutherpurse。Herfingerstrembledsothatthepennyfellontothepavement。Theboypickeditupwillinglyenough，however，andshepassedonwiththepaperinherhand。Thereitwasonthefrontpage-staringherintheface:
　　EarlyyesterdaymorningMr。StephenLaverick，ofthefirmofLaverick&Morrison，Stockbrokers，OldBroadStreet，wasarrestedattheMilanHotelonthechargeofbeingconcernedinthemurderofapersonunknown，inCrookedFriars'Alley，onMondaylast。Theaccused，whomadenoreplytothecharge，wasremovedtoBowStreetPolice-Station。Particularsofhisexaminationbeforethemagistrateswillbefoundonpage4。
　　Therewasadullsinginginherears。Anelectrictram，comingupfromtheundergroundpassage，seemedtobringwithitsomesortofthunderfromanunknownworld。Shestaggeredon，unseeing，gaspingforbreath。Ifshecouldfindsomewheretositdown！Ifshecouldonlyrestforamoment！Thenasuddenwaveofstrengthcametoher，thebloodflowedoncemoreinherveins-bloodthatwashotwithanger，thatstainedhercheekswithaspotofred。Itwasthemansheloved，this，beingmadetosufferfalsely。Itwasthefulfilmentoftheirthreat-adeliberateplotagainsthim。ThemurdererofCrookedFriars'Alley-sheknewwhothatwas！-sheknew！Perhapsshemighthelp！
　　Shehadnottheslightestrecollectionoftheremainderofthatwalk，butshefoundherselfpresentlysittinginaquietcornerofthetheatrewiththepaperspreadoutbeforeher。ShereadthatStephenLaverickhadbeenbroughtbeforeMr。Rawson，themagistrateofBowStreetPoliceCourt，onawarrantcharginghimwithhavingbeenconcernedwiththemurderofapersonunknown，andthathehadpleaded"NotGuilty！"HereyesglitteredasshereadthatthefirstwitnesscalledwasMr。ArthurMorrison，latepartneroftheaccused。Shereadhisdeposition-thathehadleftLaverickattheirofficesateleveno'clockonthenightinquestion，thattheywereatthattimeabsolutelywithoutmeans，andhadnoprospectofmeetingtheirengagementsonthemorrow。ShereadtheevidenceofMr。Fenwick，bankmanager，totheeffectthatMr。Laverickhad，onthefollowingmorning，depositedwithhimthesumoftwentythousandpoundsinBankofEnglandnotes，bymeansofwhichtheengagementsofthefirmweredulymet，thatthosenoteshadsincebeenredeemed，andthathehadnoideaoftheirpresentwhereabouts。
　　Sheread，too，theevidenceofAdolfKahn，anAustrianvisitingthiscountryuponprivatebusiness，whodeposedthathewasinthevicinityjustbeforemidnight，thathesawaperson，whomheidentifiedastheaccused，walkingdownthestreetand，afterdisappearingforafewminutesdowntheentry，returnandre-entertheofficesfromwhichhehadissued。HeexplainedhispresencetherebythefactthathewaswaitingforaclerkemployedbytheGoldfields'Corporation，Limited，whoseofficeswerecloseby。
　　Furtherformalevidencewasgiven，andaremandaskedfor。Theaccused'ssolicitorwasonthepointofaddressingthecourtwhenMr。Rawsonwasunfortunatelytakenill。Afterwaitingforsometime，thecasewasadjourneduntilthenextday，andtheaccusedmanwasremovedincustody。
　　Zoelaiddownthepaperandrosetoherfeet。Shemadeherwaytowherethestage-managerwassuperintendingtheerectionofsomenewscenery。
　　"Mr。Heepman，"sheexclaimed，"Icannotstaytorehearsal！Ihavetogoout。"
　　Heturnedheavilyroundandlookedather。
　　"Rehearsalpostponed，"hedeclaredsolemnly。"Shallyoubebackfortheeveningperformance，orshallweclosethetheatre？"
　　Hisclumsyironymisseditsmark。Herthoughtsweretoointenselyfocussedupononething。
　　"Iamsorry，"shereplied，turningaway。"IwillcomebackassoonasIcan。"
　　Hecalledoutafterherandshepaused。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"youwereabsentfromtheperformancetheotherevening，andnowyouareskippingrehearsalwithoutevenwaitingforpermission。Itcan'tbedone，younglady。Youmustdoyourplayingaroundsomeothertime。Ifyou'renotherewhenyou'recalled，youneedn'ttroubletoturnupagain。Doyouunderstand？"
　　Herlipsquiveredandthesenseofimpendingdisasterwhichseemedtobebroodingoverherlifebecamealmostoverwhelming。
　　"I'llcomebackassoonasIcan，"shepromised，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-"assoonaseverIcan，Mr。Heepman。"
　　Shehurriedoutofthetheatreandtookherplaceoncemoreamongthehurryingthrongofpedestrians。Severalpeopleturnedroundtolookather。Herwhiteface，tight-drawnmouth，andeyesalmostunnaturallylarge，seemedtohavebecometheabiding-placefortragedy。Sheherselfsawnoone。Shewouldhavetakenacab，butaglimpseatthecontentsofherpursedissuadedher。ShewalkedsteadilyontoJermynStreet，walkedupthestairstothethirdfloor，andknockedatherbrother'sdoor。Nooneansweredheratfirst。Sheturnedthehandleandenteredtofindtheroomempty。
　　Thereweresounds，however，inthefurtherapartment，andshecalledouttohim。
　　"Arthur，"shecried，"areyouthere？"
　　"Whoisit？"hedemanded。
　　"ItisI-Zoe！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Iwanttospeaktoyou，Arthur。Imustspeaktoyou。Pleasecomeasquicklyasyoucan。"
　　Hegrowledsomethingandinafewmomentsheappeared。Hewaswearingthemorningclothesinwhichhehadattendedcourtearlierintheday，butthechangeinhimwasperhapsallthemoremarkedbyreasonofthisresumptionofhisoldattire。Hischeekswerehollow，hiseyesscarcelyforaninstantseemedtolosethatfeverishgleamofterrorwithwhichhehadreturnedfromLiverpool。
　　Heknewverywellwhatshehadcomeabout，andhebegannervouslytotryandbullyher。
　　"Iwishyouwouldn'tcometotheserooms，Zoe，"hesaid。"I'vetoldyoubeforethey'rebachelors'apartments，andtheydon'tlikewomenabouttheplace。Whatisit？Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Iwasbroughtherelasttimewithoutanyparticulardesireonmypart，"sheanswered，lookinghimintheface。"I'vecomenowtoaskyouwhataccursedplotthisisagainstStephenLaverick？Whatwereyoudoinginthecourtthismorning，lying？Whatisthemeaningofit，Arthur？"
　　"Ifyou'vecometotalkrubbishlikethat，"hedeclaredroughly，"you'dbetterbeoff。"
　　"No，itisnotrubbish！"shewentonfearlessly。"IthinkIcanunderstandwhatitisthathashappened。Theyhaveterrifiedyouandbribedyouuntilyouarewillingtodoanydespicablething-eventhis。Yourfatherwasgoodtomymother，Arthur，andI
　　havetriedtofeeltowardsyouasthoughyouwereindeedarelation。
　　Butnothingofthatcounts。IwantyoutorealizethatIknowthetruth，andthatIwillnotseeaninnocentmanconvictedwhiletheguiltygofree。"
　　Hemovedasteptowardsher。Theywereonoppositesidesofthesmallroundtablewhichstoodinthecentreoftheapartment。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemandedhoarsely。
　　"Isn'titplainenough？"sheexclaimed。"Youcametomyroomsaweekorsoago，aterrified，broken-downman。Ifevertherewasguiltinaman'sface，itwasinyours。YousentforLaverick。Hepitiedyouandhelpedyouaway。AtLiverpooltheywouldnotletyouembark-thesemen。Theyhavebroughtyoubackhere。Youaretheirtool。Butyouknowverywell，Arthur，thatitwasnotStephenLaverickwhokilledthemaninCrookedFriars'Alley！YouknowverywellthatitwasnotStephenLaverick！"
　　"WhythedevilshouldIknowanythingaboutit？"heaskedfiercely。
　　Anoteofpassionsuddenlycreptintohervoice。Herlittlewhitehand，withitsaccusingforefinger，shotouttowardshim。
　　"Becauseitwasyou，ArthurMorrison，whocommittedthatcrime，"shecried，"andsoonerthananothermanshouldsufferforit，Ishallgotocourtmyselfandtellthetruth。"
　　Hewas，forthemoment，absolutelyspeechless，paleasdeath，withnervouslytwitchinglipsandfingers。Buttherewasmurderinhiseyes。
　　"Whatdoyouknowaboutthis？"hemuttered。
　　"Nevermind，"sheanswered。"IknowandIguessquiteenoughtoconvinceme-andIthinkanybodyelse-thatyouaretheguiltyman。
　　Iwouldhavehelpedyouandshieldedyou，whateveritcostme，butIwillnotdosoatStephenLaverick'sexpense。"
　　"WhatisLavericktoyou？"hegrowled。
　　"Heisnothingtome，"shereplied，"butthebestoffriends。Evenwerehelessthanthat，doyousupposethatIwouldletaninnocentmansuffer？"
　　Hemoistenedhisdrylipsrapidly。
　　"Youaretalkingnonsense，Zoe，"hesaid，-"nonsense！Eveniftherehasbeensomelittlemistake，whatcouldIdonow？Ihavegivenmyevidence。SofarasIamconcerned，thecaseisfinished。
　　Ishallnotbecalledagainuntilthetrial。"
　　"Thenyouhadbettergotothemagistratestomorrowmorningandtakebackyourevidence，"shedeclaredboldly，"forifyoudonot，IshallbethereandIshalltellthetruth。"
　　"Zoe，"hegasped，"don'ttrymetoohigh。Thisthinghasupsetme。
　　I'mill。Can'tyouseeit，Zoe？Lookatme。Ihaven'tsleptforweeks。NightanddayI'vehadthefear-thefearalwayswithme。
　　Youdon'tknowwhatitis-youcan'timagine。It'slikeaterribleghost，keepingpacewithyouwhereveryougo，layinghisicyfingeruponyouwheneveryouwouldrest，mockingatyouwhenyoutrytodrownthoughtevenforamoment。Don'tyoutrymetoofar，Zoe。
　　I'mnotresponsible。Laverickisn'tthemanyouthinkhimtobe。
　　Heisn'tthemanIbelieved。Hedidhavethatmoney-hedid，indeed。"
　　"That，"shesaid，"istobeexplained。Butheisnotamurderer。"
　　"Listentome，Zoe，"Morrisoncontinued，leaningacrossthetable。
　　"Comeandstaywithmeforatimeandwewillgoawayforaweek-somewheretotheseaside。ewilltalkaboutthisandthinkitover。IwanttogetawayfromLondon。WewillgotoBrighton，ifyoulike。mustdosomethingforyou，Zoe。I'mafraidI'veneglectedyouagooddeal。PerhapsIcouldgetyouabetterpartatoneofthetheatres。Imustmakeyouanallowance。Yououghttobewearingbetterclothes。"
　　Shedrewalittleaway。
　　"Iwantnothingfromyou，Arthur，"shesaid，"exceptthis-thatyouspeakthetruth。"
　　Hewipedhisforeheadandstruckthetablebeforeher。
　　"But，goodGod，Zoe！"heexclaimed，"doyouknowwhatitisthatyouareaskingme？Doyouwantmetogointocourtandsay-'Thatisn'ttheman……ItisIwhoamthemurderer'？Doyouwantmetofeeltheirhandsuponmyshoulder，tobeputthereinthedockandhaveallthepeoplestaringatmecuriouslybecausetheyknowthatbeforeverylongIamtostanduponthescaffoldandhavethatropearoundmyneckand-"
　　Hebrokeoffwithalowcry，wringinghishandslikeachildinafitofimpotentterror。Butthegirlinfrontofhimneverflinched。
　　"Arthur，"shesaid，"crimeisaterriblething，butnothingintheworldcanalteritspunishment。Ifitisfrightfulforyoutothinkofthis，whatmustitbeforhim？Andyouareguiltyandheisnot。"
　　"Iwasmad！"Morrisonwenton，nowalmostbesidehimself。"Zoe，I
　　wasmad！Icalledtheretohaveadrink。Wewerebroke，-thefirmwasbroke。I'dahundredorsoinmypocketandIwasgoingtoboltthenextday。Andthere，withinafewyardsofme，wasthatman，withsucharollofnotesasIhadneverseeninmylife。Fivehundredpounds，everyoneofthem，andawadasthickasmyfists。
　　Zoe，theyfascinatedme。IhadtwodrinksquicklyandIfollowedhimout。Somehoworother，IfoundthatI'dcaughtupaknifethatwasonthecounter。Inevermeanttohurthimseriously，butI
　　wantedsomeofthosenotes！IwasleavingthenextdayforAfricaandIhadn'tenoughmoneytomakeafairstart。Iwantedit-myGod，howIwantedmoney！"
　　"Itcouldn'thavebeenworth-that！"shecried，lookingathimwonderingly。
　　"Iwasmad，"hecontinued。"Isawthenotesandtheywenttomyhead。Mendowildthingssometimeswhentheyaredrunk，orforlove。Idon'tdrinkmuch，andI'mnotoverfondofwomen，but，myGod，moneyislikethebloodofmybodytome！Isawit，andI
　　wanteditandIwantedit，andIwentmad！Zoe，youwon'tgivemeaway？Sayyouwon't！"
　　"ButwhatamItodo？"sheprotested。"Hemustnotsuffer。"
　　"He'llgetoff，"Morrisonassuredherthickly。"Itellyouhe'llgetoff。He'sonlytopartwiththedocument，whichneverbelongedtohim，andthechargewillbewithdrawn。Theyknowwhothemurderedmanwas。Theyknowwherethemoneycamefromwhichhewascarrying。Itellyouhecansavehimself。Youwouldn'tdreamofsendingmetothegallows，Zoe！"
　　"StephenLaverickwillnevergiveupthatdocumenttothosepeople，"
　　shedeclared。"Iamsureofthat。"
　　"It'shisownlookout，"Morrisonmuttered。"Hehasthechance，anyway。"
　　Sheturnedtowardthedoor。
　　"Imustgoaway，"shesaid。"Imustgoawayandthink。Itisalltoohorrible。"
　　Hecameroundthetableswiftlyandcaughtatherwrists。
　　"Listen，"hesaid，"Ican'tletyougolikethis。Youmusttellmethatyouarenotgoingtogivemeup。Doyouhear？"
　　"Icanmakenopromises，Arthur，"sheansweredsadly，"onlythis-
　　IshallnotletStephenLavericksufferinyourstead。"
　　Heopenedhishandandsheshrankback，terrified，whenshesawwhatitwasthathewasholding。Thenhestruckherdownandwithoutabackwardglancefledoutoftheplace。
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　BELLAMY'SSUCCESS
　　Latethatafternoonthehall-porterattheMilanHotel，thecommissionaire，andthechiefmaitred'hotelfromtheCaf？whohappenedtobeinthehall，togetherwithseveralothersaroundtheplacewhoknewStephenLaverickbysight，weretreatedtoanunexpectedsurprise。Alargeclosedmotor-cardroveuptothefrontentranceandseveralmendescended，amongwhomwasLaverickhimself。Henoddedtothehall-porter，whosesalutewaspurelymechanical，andmakinghiswaywithouthesitationtotheinteriorofthehotel，presentedhisreceiptatthecashier'sdeskandaskedforhispacket。Theclerklookedupathiminamazement。Hedidnot，forthemoment，noticethatthetwomenstandingimmediatelybehindborethestampofplain-clothespolicemen。HehadonlyafewminutesagofinishedreadingthereportofLaverick'sexaminationbeforethemagistratesandhisremanduntilthemorrow，uponthechargeofmurder。HisknowledgeofEnglishlawwasbynomeansperfect，buthewasatleastawarethatLaverick'sappearanceoutsidethepurlieusoftheprisonwasanunusualhappening。
　　"Yourpacket，sir！"herepeated，inamazement。"Why，thisisMr。
　　Laverickhimself，isitnot？"
　　"Certainly，"wasthequietreply。"IamStephenLaverick。"
　　Theclerkcalledtheheadcashier，whoalsostaredatLaverickasthoughhewereaghost。Theywhisperedtogetherinthebackgroundforamoment，andtheirfaceswereastudyinperplexity。OfLaverick'sidentity，however，therewasnomannerofdoubt。Besides，thepresenceofwhatwasobviouslyaveryampleescortsomewhatreassuredthem。Thecashierhimselfcameforward。
　　"Weshallbeexceedinglyglad，Mr。Laverick，"hesaiddryly，"togetridofyourpacket。Yourinstructionswerethatweshoulddisregardallorderstohanditovertoanypersonwhatsoever，andImaysaythattheyhavebeenstrictlyadheredto。Wehave，however，hadtwoapplicationsinyournamethismorning。"
　　"Theywerebothforgeries，"Laverickdeclared。
　　Thecashierhesitated。ThenheleanedacrossthebroadmahoganycountertowardsLaverick。Oneofthemenwhoappearedtoformpartoftheescortdetachedhimselffromthemandapproachedafewstepsnearer。
　　"Thisgentlemanisyourfriend，sir？"thecashierasked，glancingtowardshim。
　　"Heismysolicitor，"Laverickanswered，"andisentirelyinmyconfidence。Ifyouhaveanythingtotellme，IshouldlikeMr。
　　Bellamyalsotohear。"
　　Bellamy，whowasstandingalittleinthebackground，tookhisplacebyLaverick'sside。Thecashier，whoknewhimbysight，bowed。
　　"Besidethesetwoforgedorders，sir，"hesaid，turningagaintoLaverick，"wehavehadamanwhotookaroominthehotelleaveasmallblackbaghere，whichheinsisteduponhavingdepositedinourdocumentsafe。Myassistanthadaccepteditandwasactuallylockingitupwhenhenoticedafaintsoundinsidewhichhecouldnotunderstand。Thebagwasopenedandfoundtocontainaninfernalmachinewhichwouldhaveexplodedinaquarterofanhour。"
　　Bellamydrewhisbreathsharplybetweenhisteeth。
　　"Weshouldhavethoughtofthat！"heexclaimedsoftly。"That'sKahn'swork！"
　　"Iseemtohavegivenyouagreatdealoftrouble，"Laverickremarkedquietly。"Igather，however，fromwhatyousay，thatmypacketisstillinyourpossession？"
　　"Itis，sir，"themanassented。"WehavetwodetectivesfromScotlandYardhereatthepresentmoment，though，andwehadalmostdecidedtoplaceitintheirchargeforgreatersecurity。"
　　"Itwillbewelltakencareoffromnow，Ipromiseyou，"Laverickdeclared。
　　Thecashierandhisclerkledthewayintotheinneroffice。AttheirinvitationLaverickandhissolicitorfollowed，andafewyardsbehindcamethetwoplain-clothespolicemen，Bellamy，andthesuperintendent。ThesafewasopenedandthepacketplacedinLaverick'shands。HepasseditonatoncetoBellamy，andimmediatelyafterwardsthedoorwaybehindwasthrongedwithmen，apparentlyordinaryloiterersaroundthehotel。Theymadeaslowandexceedinglycautiousexit。Onceoutside，BellamyturnedtoLaverickwithoutstretchedhand。
　　"Aurevoirandgoodluck，oldchap！"hesaidheartily。"Ithinkyou'llfindthingsgoyourwayallrightto-morrowmorning。"
　　Hedeparted，formingoneofasomewhatsingularcavalcade-twoofhisfriendsoneitherside，twoinfront，andtwobehind。Ithadalmosttheappearanceofaprocession。Thewholepartysteppedintoaclosedmotor-car。Threeorfourmenwereloungingonthepavementandtherewassomeexcitedwhispering，butnooneactuallyinterfered。Assoonastheyhadleftthecourtyard，Laverickandhissolicitor，withhisownguard，re-enteredthemotor-carinwhichtheyhadarrived，anddrovebacktoBowStreet。Veryfewwordswereexchangedduringtheshortjourney。Hissolicitor，however，badehimgood-nightcheerfully，andLaverick'sbearingwasbynomeansthebearingofamanindespair。
　　InDowningStreet，withinthenexthalf-an-hour，asomewhatremarkablelittlegatheringtookplace。Thetwomenchieflyresponsibleforthedestiniesofthenation-thePrimeMinisterandtheSecretaryofStateforForeignAffairs-satsidebysidebeforeasmalltable。FacingthemwasBellamy，andspreadoutinfrontwerethosefewpagesoffoolscap，releasedfromtheirenvelopeafewminutesagoforthefirsttimesincethehandofthegreatChancellorhimselfhadpresseddowntheseal。TheForeignMinisterhadjustfinishedatranslationforthebenefitofhiscolleague，andthetwomenweresilent，asmenareinthepresenceofbigevents。
　　"Bellamy，"thePrimeMinistersaidslowly，"youarewillingtostake，Ipresume，yourreputationupontheauthenticityofthisdocument？"
　　"Myhonorandmylife，ifyouwill，"Bellamyansweredearnestly。
　　"Thatisnocopywhichyouhavethere。Onthecontrary，thehandwritingisthehandwritingoftheChancellorhimself。"
　　ThePrimeMinisterturnedsilentlytowardshiscolleague。Thelatter，whoseeyesstillseemedgluedtothosefatefulwords，lookedup。
　　"AllIcansayisthis，"heremarkedimpressively，"thatneverinmytimehaveIseenwrittenwordspossessedofsomuchsignificance。
　　Onemoment，ifyouplease。"
　　Hetouchedthebell，andhisprivatesecretaryenteredatoncefromanadjoiningroom。
　　"Anthony，"hesaid，"telephonetotheGreatWesternRailwayCompanyatPaddington。Askforthestationmasterinmyname，andseethataspecialtrainisheldreadytodepartforWindsorinhalf-an-hour。
　　Tellthestation-masterthatallordinarytrafficmustbeheldup，butthatthedestinationofthespecialisnottobedivulged。"
　　Theyoungmanbowedandwithdrew。
　　"ThemoreIconsiderthismatter，"theForeignMinisterwenton，"themoremiraculousdoestheappearanceofthisdocumentseem。
　　WeknownowwhytheCzarisstrugglingsofranticallytocurtailhisvisit-whyhecame，asitwere，underprotest，andseekseverywhereforanopportunitytoleavebeforetheappointedtime。
　　Hishealthisallright。HehashadahintfromViennathattherehasbeenaleakage。HisspecialmissiononlyreachedParisthismorning。ThePresidentisinthecountryandtheiraudienceisnotfixeduntilto-morrow。RawsonwillgooverwithacopyofthesepapersandadispatchfromHisMajestybythenineo'clocktrain。
　　Itisnotoftenthatwehavehadthechanceofsucha'coup'asthis。"
　　Hedrewhischiefafewstepsaway。Theywhisperedtogetherforseveralmoments。Whentheyreturned，theForeignMinisterrangthebellagainforhissecretary。
　　"Anthony，"hesaid，"SirJamesandIwillbeleavinginafewminutesforWindsor。GoroundyourselftoGeneralHamilton，telephonetoAldershotforLordNeville，andcallroundattheAdmiraltyBoardforSirJohnHarrison。Tellthemalltobehereatteno'clocktonight。IfIamnotback，theymustwait。Ifeitherofthemhaveroyalcommands，youneedonlyrepeattheword'Finisterre。'Theywillunderstand。"
　　Theyoungmanoncemorewithdrew。ThePrimeMinisterturnedbacktothepapers。
　　"Itwillbeworthagreatdeal，"heremarked，withagrimsmile，"toseeHisMajesty'sfacewhenhereadsthis。"
　　"Itwouldbeworthagreatdealmore，"hisfellowstatesmananswereddryly，"tobewithhisAugustcousinattheinterviewwhichwillfollow。Amonthago，thethoughtthatwarmightcomeunderouradministrationwasacontinualterrortome。To-daythingsareentirelydifferent。To-dayitreallyseemsthatifwardoescome，itmaybethemostglorioushappeningforEnglandofthiscentury。YousawthelastreportfromKiel？"
　　SirJamesnodded。
　　"Thereisn'tabattleshiporacruiserworthasnapofthefingerssouthoftheGermanOcean，"hiscolleaguecontinuedearnestly。
　　"Theyarecoopedup-safeenough，theythink-undertheshelteroftheirfortifications。Hamiltonhasanotheridea。Betweenyouandme，SirJames，sohaveI。Itellyou，"hewenton，inadeeperandmorepassionatetone，"it'slikethepassingofaterriblenightmare-this。Wehavehadtenyearsofpanic，ofnervousfearsofaGermaninvasion，andnooneknowsmorethanyouandI，SirJames，howmuchcausewehavehadforthosefears。Itwillseemstrangeif，afterall，historyhastowritethatchapterdifferently。"
　　Thesecretaryre-enteredandannouncedtheresultofhistelephoneinterviewwiththesuperintendentatPaddington。Thetwogreatmenrose。ThePrimeMinisterheldouthishandtoBellamy。
　　"Bellamy，"hedeclared，"you'vedoneusonemoreimportantservice。
　　Theremaybeworkforyouwithinthenextfewweeks，butyou'veearnedarestforadayortwo，atanyrate。Thereisnothingmorewecando？"
　　"NothingexceptalettertotheHomeSecretary，SirJames，"Bellamyanswered。"Remember，sir，thatalthoughIhaveworkedhard，themantowhomwereallyowethosepapersisStephenLaverick。"
　　ThePrimeMinisterfrownedthoughtfully。
　　"It'sadifficultsituation，Bellamy，"hesaid。"Youareaskingagreatdealwhenyousuggestthatweshouldinterfereintheslightestmannerwiththecourseofjustice。Youareabsolutelyconvinced，Isuppose，thatthismanLaverickhadnothingtodowiththemurder？"
　　"Absolutelyandentirely，sir，"Bellamyreplied。
　　"Themurderedmanhasneverbeenidentifiedbythepolice，"SirJamesremarked。"Whowashe？"
　　"HisnamewasRudolphVonBehrling，"Bellamyannounced，"andhewasactuallytheChancellor'snephew，alsohisprivatesecretary。I
　　havetoldyouthehistory，sir，ofthosepapers。ItwasVonBehrlingwho，withoutadoubt，murderedtheAmericanjournalistandsecuredthem。ItwashewhoinsisteduponcomingtoLondoninsteadofreturningwiththemtoVienna，whichwouldhavebeenthemostobviouscourseforhimtohaveadopted。Hewasapauper，anddesperatelyinlovewithacertainladywhohashelpedmethroughoutthismatter。Heagreedtopartwiththepapersfortwentythousandpounds，andtheladyincidentallypromisedtoelopewithhimthesamenight。Imethimbyappointmentatthatlittlerestaurantinthecity，paidhimthetwentythousandpounds，andreceivedthefalsepacketwhichyourememberIbroughttoyou，sir。Asamatteroffact，VonBehrling，eitherbyaccidentordesign，andnomannowwilleverknowwhich，leftmewiththosepaperswhichIwassupposedtohaveboughtinhispossession，andalsothemoney。Withinfiveminuteshewasmurdered。Doubtlessweshallknowsometimebywhom，butitwasnotbyStephenLaverick。Laverick'sshareinthewholethingwasnothingbutthis-thathefoundthepocket-book，andthathemadeuseofthenotesinhisbusinessfortwenty-fourhourstosavehimselffromruin。Thatwasunjustifiable，ofcourse。Hehasmadeatonement。Thenotesatthisminuteareinasafedepositvaultandwillbereturnedintacttothefundfromwhichtheycame。
　　Iwant，also，toimpressuponyou，SirJames，thefactthatBarondeStreussofferedonehundredthousandpoundsforthatletter。"
　　SirJamesnoddedthoughtfully。Hestoopeddownandscrawledafewlinesonhalfasheetofnote-paper。
　　"YoumusttakethistoLordEstcourtatonce，"hesaid，"andtellhimthewholeaffair，omittingallspecificinformationastothenatureofthepapers。Thethingmustbearranged，ofcourse。"
　　Half-a-dozenreporters，whohadsomehowgotholdofthefactthatthePrimeMinisterandhiscolleaguefromtheForeignOfficeweregoingdowntoWindsoronaspecialmission，followedthem，buteventheyremainedaltogetherinthedarkastotheeventswhichwerereallytranspiring。TheyknewnothingoftheinterviewbetweentheCzarandhisAugusthost-aninterviewwhichinitselfwasachapterinthehistoryofthesetimes。Theyknewnothingofthereasonoftheirroyalvisitor'sdecisiontoprolonghisvisitinsteadofshorteningit，orofhisautographlettertothePresidentoftheFrenchRepublic，whichreachedParisevenbeforethespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghadpresentedthemselves。
　　Theonethingwhichtheydidknow，andthatalonewassignificantenough，wasthattheCzar'sForeignMinisterwascabledforthatnighttocometohismasterbyspecialtrainfromSt。Petersburg。
　　AttheAustrianandGermanEmbassies，forewarnedbyareportfromBarondeStreuss，somethinglikeconsternationreigned。TheRussianAmbassador，heckledtodeath，tookrefugeatWindsorunderpretenceofacommandfromhisroyalmaster。ThehappiestmaninLondonwasPrinceRosmaran。
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　LAVERICKACQUITTED
　　Atmid-dayonthefollowingmorningLavericksteppeddownfromthedockatBowStreetand，astheeveningpapersputit，"incompanywithhisfriendsleftthecourt。"Theproceedingsaltogethertookscarcelymorethanhalf-an-hour。Laverick'ssolicitorfirstputShepherdinthebox，whogavehisaccountofMorrison'svisittotherestaurant，spokeofhishurriedexit，andidentifiedtheknifewhichhehadseenhimsnatchup。Cross-examinedastowhyhehadkeptsilent，heexplainedthatMr。Morrisonhadbeenagoodcustomerandhesawnoreasonwhyheshouldgiveunsolicitedevidencewhichwouldcostamanhislife。Directly，however，anothermanhadbeenaccused，thematterappearedtohimtobealtogetherdifferent。HehadcomeforwardthemomenthehadheardofLaverick'sARREST，toofferhisevidence。
　　Whiletheopinionofthecourtwasstillundecided，Laverick'ssolicitorcalledMissZoeLeneveu。Alittlemurmurofinterestranthoughthecourt。Laverickhimselfstarted。Zoesteppedintothewitness-box，lookingexceedinglypale，andwithabandageovertheupperpartofherhead。Sheadmittedthatshewasthehalf-sisterofArthurMorrison，althoughtherewasnobloodrelationship。Shedescribedhissuddenvisittoherroomsonthenightofthemurder，andhisstateofgreatalarm。Shedeclaredthathehadconfessedtoheronthepreviousafternoonthathehadbeenguiltyofthemurderinquestion。
　　Herplaceinthewitness-boxwastakenbytheHonorableDavidBellamy。Hedeclaredthattheprisonerwasanoldfriendofhis，andthatthetwentythousandpoundsofwhichhehadbeenrecentlypossessed，hadcomefromhimforinvestmentinLaverick'sbusiness。
　　Thecircumstances，headmitted，weresomewhatpeculiar，anduntilnegotiationshadbeenconcludedMr。Laverickhaddoubtlessfeltuncertainhowtomakeuseofthemoney。Butheassuredthecourtthattherewasnopersonwhohadanyclaimtothesumofmoneyinquestionsavehimself，andthathewasperfectlyawareoftheusetowhichLaverickhadputit。
　　Laverickwasdischargedwithinaveryfewminutes，andawarrantwasissuedfortheapprehensionofMorrison。LaverickfoundBellamywaitingforhim，andwashurriedintohismotor。
　　"Well，yousee，"thelatterexclaimed，"wekeptourword！Thatdearpluckylittlefriendofyoursturnedthescale，butinanycaseIthinkthattherewouldnothavebeenmuchtroubleaboutthematter。ThemagistratehadreceivedacommunicationdirectfromtheHomeSecretaryconcerningyourcase。"
　　"Iamverygratefulindeed，"Laverickdeclared。"ItellyouI
　　thinkIamverylucky。IwishIknewwhathadbecomeofMissLeneveu。Theushertoldmesheleftthecourtbeforewecameout。"
　　"Iaskedhertogostraightbacktoherrooms，"Bellamysaid。"Youmustexcusemeforinterfering，Laverick，butIfoundheralmostinastateofcollapselastnightinJermynStreet。IwashavingMorrisonwatched，andmymanreportedtomethathehadlefthisroomsinastateofgreatexcitement，andthatayoungladywastherewhoappearedtobeseriouslyinjured。"
　　"D-dscamp！"Laverickmuttered。
　　"IdideverythingIcould，"Bellamycontinued。"Ifetchedheratonceandsentherbacktoherhousewithahospitalnurseandsomeonetolookafterher。Thewoundwasn'tserious，butthefellowmusthavebeenabruteindeedtohaveliftedhishandagainstsuchachild。Iwonderwhetherhe'llgetaway。"
　　"Ishoulddoubtit，"Laverickremarked。"Hehasn'tthenerve。
　　He'llprobablygetdrunkandblowhisbrainsout。He'sabroken-spiritedcur，afterall。"
　　"You'llhavesomelunch？"Bellamyasked。
　　Laverickshookhishead。
　　"Ifyoudon'tmind，I'dliketogoonandseeMissLeneveu。"
　　"Putmedownattheclub，then，andtakemycaron，ifyouwill。"
　　LaverickwalkedupanddownthepavementoutsideZoe'slittlehousefornearlyhalf-an-hour。Hehadfoundthedoorclosedandlocked，andaneighborhadinformedhimthatMissLeneveuhadgoneoutinacabwiththenurse，sometimeago，andhadnotreturned。LavericksentBellamy'scarbackandwaited。Presentlyafour-wheelcabcameroundthecornerandstoppedinfrontofherhouse。LaverickopenedthedoorandhelpedZoeout。Shewasaswhiteasdeath，andthenursewhowaswithherwaslookinganxious。
　　"Youaresafe，then？"shemurmured，holdingoutherhands。
　　"Quite，"heanswered。"Youdearlittlegirl！"
　　Zoehadfainted，however，andLaverickhurriedoutforthedoctor。
　　Curiouslyenough，itwasthesamemanwhoonlyaweekorsoagohadcometoseeArthurMorrison。
　　"Shehashadabadscalpwound，"hedeclared，"andhernervoussystemisverymuchrundown。Thereisnothingserious。Sheseemstohavejustescapedconcussion。Thenursehadbetterstaywithherforanotherday，atanyrate。"
　　"Youaresurethatitisn'tserious？"Laverickaskedeagerly。
　　"Notintheleast，"thedoctoranswereddryly。"Iseeworsewoundseverydayofmylife。I'llcomeagainto-morrow，ifyoulike，butitreallyisn'tnecessarywiththenurseonthespot。"
　　HisnaturalpessimismwasforamomentlightenedbythefeewhichLaverickpresseduponhim，andhedepartedwithafewmoreencouragingwords。Laverickstayedandtalkedforashorttimewiththenurse。
　　"Shehasgoneofftosleepnow，sir，"thelatterannounced。"Thereisn'tanythingtoworryabout。Sheseemsasthoughshehadbeenhavingahardtime，though。Therewasscarcelyathinginthehousebuthalfapacketoftea-andthese。"
　　Sheheldupapacketofpawntickets。
　　"IfoundtheseinadrawerwhenIcame，"shesaid。"Ihadtolookround，becausetherewasnomoneyandnothingwhateverinthehouse。"
　　Laverickwassuddenlyconsciousofanabsurdmistinessbeforehiseyes。
　　"Poorlittlewoman！"hemurmured。"Ithinkshe'dsoonerhavestarvedthanaskforhelp。"
　　Thenursesmiled。
　　"Ithoughtatfirstthatshewasratheravainyounglady，"sheremarked。"Anemptylarderandapileofpawntickets，andanewhatwithareceiptedbillforthirtyshillings，"sheadded，pointingtothesofa。
　　Laverickplacedsomenotesinherhands。
　　"Pleasekeepthese，"hebegged，"andseethatshehaseverythingshewants。Ishallbehereagainlaterintheday。Thereisnottheslightestneedforallthis。Shewillbequitewellofffortherestofherlife。Willyoutryandengagesomeoneforadayortwotocomeinuntilsheisabletobemoved？"
　　"I'lllookafterher，"thenursepromised。
　　Laverickwentreluctantlyaway。Theeventsofthelastfewdayswerebecomingmoreandmorelikeadreamtohim。Hewenttohisclubalmostfromhabit。PresentlytheexcitementwhichallLondonseemedtobesharingdrovehisownpersonalfeelingsalittleintothebackground。Theairwasfullofrumors。ThePrimeMinisterandtheForeignSecretarywerespokenofasonespeaksofheroes。Nothingwasdefinitelyknown，buttherewasasplendidfeelingofconfidencethatforonceinherhistoryEnglandwaspreparingtojustifyherexistenceasagreatPower。
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　THEPLOTTHATFAILED
　　TheprogressoftheCzarfromBuckinghamPalacetotheMansionHouse，wherehehad，afterall，consentedtolunchwiththeLordMayor，witnessedapopularoutburstofenthusiasmabsolutelyinexplicabletothegeneralpublic。ItwasknownthataffairsinCentralEuropewereinadangerouslyprecariousstate，anditwasfeltthattheCzar'svisithere，andtheurgentsummonswhichhadbroughtfromSt。PetersburghisForeignMinister，wereindicationsthatthelongwished-forententebetweenRussiaandthiscountrywasnowactuallyathand。TherewasinthePressacuriousreticencewithregardtothedevelopmentofthepoliticalsituation。
　　Onefelteverywherethatitwasthecalmbeforethestorm-thatatanymomentthegreatblackheadlinesmighttellofsomestartlingstrokeofdiplomacy，somedangerousperilavertedordefied。ThecircumstancesthemselvesoftheCzar'svisithadbeenalittlepeculiar。Onhisarrivalitwasannouncedthat，forreasonsofhealth，theoriginalperiodofhisstay，namelyaweek，wastobecutdowntotwodays。NosoonerhadhearrivedatWindsor，however，thanachangewasannounced。TheCzarhadsofarrecoveredastobeableeventoextendtheperiodatfirstfixedforhisvisit。
　　Simultaneouslywiththis，theGermanandAustrianPresswerefullofbitterandbarelyveiledarticles，whosemeaningwasunmistakable。
　　TheCzarhadthrowninhislotatfirstwithAustriaandGermany。
　　Thathewasgoingdeliberatelytobreakawayfromthatarrangementthereseemednowscarcelyanymannerofdoubt。
　　BellamyandLouise，fromawindowinFleetStreet，watchedhimgoby。PrinceRosmaranhadbeenspeciallybiddentotheluncheon，buthe，too，hadbeenwiththemearlierinthemorning。Afterwardstheyturnedtheirbacksuponthecity，andassoonasthecrowdhadthinnedmadetheirwaytooneofthewest-endrestaurants。
　　"Itseemstoogoodtobetrue，"declaredLouise。Bellamynodded。
　　"NeverthelessIamconvincedthatitistrue。ThehumorofthewholethingisthatitwasourfriendsinGermanythemselveswhopressedtheCzarnottoaltogethercancelhisvisitforfearofexcitingsuspicion。That，ofcourse，waswhenthereseemedtobenoquestionofthenewsoftheViennacompactleakingout。TheywouldneverhavedaredtoexposeamantosuchatrialastheCzarmusthavefacedwhentheresumeoftheViennaproceedings，intheChancellor'sownhandwriting，wasreadtohimatWindsor。"
　　"YousawthetelegramfromParis？"Louiseinterposed。"ThespecialmissionfromSt。Petersburghasbeenrecalled。"
　　Bellamysmiled。
　　"ItallgoestoprovewhatIsay，"hewenton。"AnymorningyoumayexpecttohearthatAustriaandGermanyhavereceivedanultimatum。"
　　"Iwonder，"sheremarked，"whatbecameofStreuss。"
　　"HeishidingsomewhereinLondon，withoutadoubt，"Bellamyanswered。"There'salwaysplentyofworkforspies。"
　　"Don'tusethatword，"shebegged。
　　Hemadealittlegrimace。
　　"Youarethinkingofmyownconnectionwiththeprofession，areyounot？"heasked。"Well，thatcountsfornothingnow。IhopeImaystillservemycountryformanyyears，butitmustbeinadifferentway。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"shedemanded。
　　"Iheardfrommyuncle'ssolicitorsthismorning，"Bellamycontinued，"thatheisveryfeebleandcannotlivemorethanafewmonths。
　　Whenhedies，ofcourse，ImusttakemyplaceintheHouseofLords。
　　ItishiswishthatIshouldnotleaveEnglandagainnow，soI
　　supposethereisnothingleftformebuttogiveitup。Ihavedonemyshareoftravelingandwork，afterall，"heconcluded，thoughtfully。
　　"Yourshare，indeed，"shemurmured。"RememberthatbutforthatdocumentwhichwasreadtotheCzaratWindsor，Serviamusthavegonedown，andEnglandwouldhavehadtotakeaplaceamongthesecond-classPowers。Theremaybewarnow，itistrue，butitwillbeagloriouswar。"
　　"Louise，verysoonweshallknow。UntilthenIwillsaynothing。
　　ButIdonotwantyoualtogethertoforgetthattherehasbeensomethinginmylifedearertomeeventhanmycareerfortheselastfewyears。"
　　Herblueeyesweresuddenlysoft。Shelookedacrosstowardshimwistfully。
　　"Dear，"shewhispered，"thingswillbealteredwithyounow。IamnotfittobethewifeofanEnglishpeer-Iamnotnoble。"
　　Helaughed。
　　"Iamafraid，"heassuredher，"thatIamdemocratenoughtothinkyouoneofthenoblestwomenonearth。WhyshouldInot？Yourlifeitselfhasbeenastudyindevotion。Themodernvirtuesseemalmosttoignorepatriotism，yettheloveofone'scountryisasplendidthing。Butdon'tyouthink，Louise，thatwehavedoneourworkthatitistimetothinkofourselves？"
　　Shegavehimherhand。
　　"Letussee，"shesaid。"Letuswaitforalittletimeandseewhatcomes。"
　　Thatnightanotherproofofthepopularfeeling，absolutelyspontaneous，brokeoutinoneoftheleastexpectedplaces。Louisewasencoredforherwonderfulsoloinamodernoperaofbellicosetrend，andinsteadofrepeatingitshecamealoneonthestageafterafewminutes'absence，dressedinServiannationaldress。Forashorttimethecostumewasnotrecognized。Thenthemusic-thenationalhymnofServia，andtherecollectionofherparentage，broughtthethinghometotheaudience。Theydidnotevenwaitforhertofinish。Inthemiddleofhersongtheapplausebrokelikeacrashofthunder。Fromthepackedgallerytothestallstheycheeredherwildly，madly。Adozentimesshecamebeforethecurtain。Itseemedimpossiblethattheywouldeverlethergo。Directlysheturnedtoleavethestage，theuproarbrokeoutagain。Themanageratlastinsisteduponitthatsheshouldspeakafewwords。Shestoodinthecentreofthestageamidasilenceascompleteasthepreviousapplausehadbeenunanimous。HervoicereachedeasilytoeveryplaceintheHouse。
　　"Ithankyouallverymuch，"shesaid。"IamveryhappyindeedtobeinLondon，becauseitisthecapitalcityofthemostgenerouscountryintheworld-thecountrythatisalwaysreadytoprotectandhelpherweakerneighbors。IamaServian，andIlovemycountry，andtherefore，"sheadded，withalittlebreakinhervoice，-"thereforeIloveyouall。"
　　Itwasnearlymidnightbeforetheaudiencewasgotridof，andthestreetsofLondonhadnotbeensoimpassableforyears。CrowdsmadetheirwaytothefrontofBuckinghamPalaceandontotheWarOffice，wheremenwereworkinglate。Everythingseemedtodenotethatthespiritofthecountrywasroused:Thepapersnextmorningmadeimmensecapitaloftheincident，andforthefollowingtwenty-fourhourssuspensethroughoutthecountrywasalmostatfeverheight。ItwasknownthattheCabinetCouncilhadbeensittingforsixhours。Itwasknown，too，thatwithouttheleastcommotion，withscarcelyanymovementsofshipsthatcouldbecalleddirectlythreatening，thegreatestnavalforcewhichtheworldhadeverknownwasassemblingoffDover。Thestockmarketswerewildlyexcited。Laverick，backagaininhisoffice，foundthathisreturntohisaccustomedhauntsoccasionedscarcelyanycomment。Morestartlingeventswereshapingthemselves。Hisownremarkableadventureremained，curiouslyenough，almostundiscussed。
　　Helefttheofficeshortlybeforehisusualtime，notwithstandingtherushofbusiness，anddroveatoncetothelittlehouseinTheobaldSquare。Zoewaslyingonthesofa，stillwhite，buteagertodeclarethatthepainhadgoneandthatshewasnolongersuffering。
　　"Itistooabsurd，"shedeclared，smiling，"myhavingthisnursehere。Really，thereisnothingwhateverthematterwithme。I
　　shouldhavegonetothetheatre，butyouseeitisnouse。"
　　Shepassedhimtheletterwhichshehadbeenreading，andwhichcontainedhersomewhatcurtdismissal。Helaughedashetoreitintopieces。
　　"Areyousosorry，Zoe？Isthestagesowonderfulaplacethatyoucouldnotbeartothinkofleavingit？"
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　"Itisnotthat，"shewhispered。"Youknowthatitisnotthat。"
　　Hesmiledashetookherconfidentlyintohisarms。
　　"Thereisamuchmorearduouslifeinfrontofyou，dear，"hesaid。
　　"Youhavetocomeandlookaftermefortherestofyourdays。A
　　bachelorwhomarriesaslateinlifeasIdo，youknow，isatryingsortofperson。"
　　Sheshrankawayalittle。
　　"Youdon'tmeanit，"shemurmured。
　　"YouknowverywellthatImeanit，"heanswered，kissingher。"I
　　thinkyouknewfromtheveryfirstthatsoonerorlateryouweredoomedtobecomemywife。"
　　Shesighedfaintlyandhalf-closedhereyes。Forthemomentshehadforgotteneverything。Shewasabsolutelyandcompletelyhappy。
　　Lateronhemadeherdressandcomeouttodinner，andafterwards，astheysattalking，helaidaneveningpaperbeforeher。
　　"Zoe，"hedeclared，"thebestthingthatcouldhashappened。Youwillnotbefoolish，dear，aboutit，Iknow。Rememberthealternative-andreadthat。"
　　SheglancedatthefewlineswhichannouncedthefindingofArthurMorrisoninahouseinBloomsburySquare。Thepolicehadapparentlytrackedhimdown，andhehadshothimselfatthefinalmoment。Thedetailsofhislastfewhourswereindescribable。Zoeshuddered，andhereyesfilledwithtears。Shesmiledbravelyinhisface，however。
　　"Itisterrible，"shewhisperedsimply，"but，afterall，hewasnorelationofmine，andhetriedtodoyouafrightfulinjury。WhenIthinkofthat，Ifindithardeventobesorry。
　　Therewasindeedalmostapitilesslookinherfaceasshefoldedupthepaper，asthoughshefeltsomethingofthatcommoninstinctofhersexwhichtransformsagentlewomansoquicklyintoahard，mercilesscreaturewhenthebeingwhomshelovesisthreatened。
　　Lavericksmiled。
　　"Letusgooutintothestreets，"hesaid，"andhearwhatallthisexcitementisabout。"
　　Theyboughtalateedition，andthereitwasatlastinblackandwhite。AnultimatumhadbeenpresentedatBerlinandVienna。
　　CertaintreatyrightswhichhadbeenbrokenwithregardtoAustria'sactionintheEastwereinsisteduponbyGreatBritain。ItwasdemandedthatAustriashouldceasethemobilizationofhertroopsupontheServianfrontier，andrenounceallrightstoaprotectorateoverthatcountry，whoseindependenceGreatBritainfeltcalledupon，fromthattimeforward，toguarantee。ItwasfurtherannouncedthatEngland，France，andRussiawereactinginthismatterincompleteconcert，andthattheneutralityofItalywasassured。Further，itwasknownthatthegreatEnglishfleethadleftfortheNorthSeawithsealedorders。
　　LavericktookZoehomeearlyandcalledlateratBellamy'srooms。
　　Bellamygreetedhimheartily。Hewasonthepointofgoingout，andthetwomendroveofftogetherinthelatter'scar。
　　"See，mydearfriend，"Bellamyexclaimed，"whatgreatthingscomefromsmallmeans！Thedocumentwhichyoupreservedforus，andforwhichwehadtofightsohard，hasdoneallthis。"
　　"Itismarvelous！"Laverickmurmured。
　　"Itisverysimple，"Bellamydeclared。"ThatmeetinginViennawasmeanttoforceourhands。Itisallaquestionofthebalanceofstrength。GermanyandAustriatogether，withRussiafriendly，-
　　evenwithRussianeutral，-couldhavedefiedEurope。GermanycouldhavespreadoutherarmywestwardswhileAustriaseizeduponherprey。Itwasasplendidplot，anditwasgoingverywelluntiltheCzarhimselfwassuddenlyconfrontedbyourKingandhisMinisterswitharevelationofthewholeaffair。AtWindsorthethingseemeddifferenttohim。TheFrenchGovernmentbehavedsplendidly，andtheCzarbehavedlikeaman。GermanyandAustriaareleftplantela。
　　Iftheyfight，well，itwillbenoone-sidedaffair。Theyhavenofleet，orrathertheywillhavenoneinafortnight'stime。Theyhavenomeansoflandinganarmyhere。Austria，perhaps，canholdRussia，butwithaFrencharmyinbettershapethanithasbeenforyears，andtheEnglishlandingasmanymenastheycaretodo，withease，anywhereonthenorthcoastofGermany，theentireschemeprovedabortive。Comeintotheclubandhaveadrink，Laverick。
　　To-daygreatthingshavehappenedtome。"
　　"Andtome，"Laverickinterposed。
　　"Youcanguessmynews，perhaps，"Bellamysaid，astheyseatedthemselvesineasy-chairs。"MademoiselleIdialehaspromisedtobemywife。"
　　Laverickheldouthishand。
　　"Icongratulateyouheartily！"heexclaimed。"Ihavebeenanengagedmanmyselfforsomethinglikehalf-an-hour。"
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　AFAREWELLAPPEARANCE
　　"Onething，atleast，theserecentadventuresshouldteachwhoevermayberesponsibleforthegovernmentofthiscountry，"Bellamyremarkedtohiswife，ashelaiddownthemorningpaper。"ForthefirsttimeinmanyyearswehavetakentheaggressiveagainstPowersofequalstanding。Wewerealwaysrathergoodatbullyingsmallercountries，butthebareideaofanultimatumtoGermanywouldhavemadeourlatePremiergolightheaded。"
　　"Andyetitsucceeded，"Louiseremindedhim。
　　"Absolutely，"heaffirmed。"To-day'snewsmakespeaceacertainty。
　　Ifyourcountrykneweverything，Louise，they'dgiveusaroyalwelcomenextmonth。"
　　"Youreallymeanthatwearetogothere，then？"sheasked。
　　"Itisn'texactlyoneofmyprivileges，"hedeclared，"tofixuponthespotwhereweshalltakeourbelatedhoneymoon，butIhaven'tbeeninBelgradeforyears，andIknowyou'dliketoseeyourpeople。"
　　"ItwillbemorehappinessthanIeverdreamedof，"shemurmured。
　　"DoyouthinkweshallbesafeinpassingthroughVienna？"
　　Bellamylaughed。
　　"Remember，"hesaid，"thatIamnolongerDavidBellamy，withasilvergreyhoundattachedtomywatch-chainandanobnoxiousreputationinforeigncountries。IamLordDenchesterofDenchester，aharmlessEnglishpeertravelingonhishoneymoon。
　　Bytheway，Ihopeyoulikethetitle。"
　　"IshallloveitwhenIgetusedtoit，"shedeclared。"TobeanEnglishCountessisdazzling，butIdothinkthatIoughtnottogoonsingingatCoventGarden。"
　　"To-morrowwillbeyourlastnight，"heremindedher。"IhaveaskedLaverickandthedearlittlegirlheisgoingtomarrytocomewithme。Afterwardswemustallhavesuppertogether。"
　　"Howniceofyou！"sheexclaimed。
　　"Idon'tknowaboutthat，"Bellamysaid，smiling。"IreallylikeLaverick。Heisadecentfellowandagoodsort。Incidentally，hewasthunderingusefultous，andprettypluckyaboutit。Heinterestsme，too，inanotherway。Heisamanwho，facetofacewithamoralproblem，actedexactlyasIshouldhavedonemyself！"
　　"Youmeanaboutthetwentythousandpounds？"sheasked。
　　Bellamyassented。
　　"Hewaspracticallydishonest，"hepointedout。"Hehadnorighttousethatmoneyandheoughttohavetakenthepocket-booktothepolice-station。Ifhehaddoneso-thatistosay，ifhehadwaitedthereforthepolice，ifhehadbeenseentoholdoutthatpocket-book，tohavediscusseditwithanyone，itistentoonethattherewouldhavebeenanothertragedythatnight。Atanyrate，thedocumentwouldneverhavecometous。"
　　Shesmiled。
　　"Mymoraljudgmentiswarped，"sheasserted，"fromthefactthatLaverick'sdecisionbroughtusthedocument。"
　　Henodded。
　　"Perhapsso，"heagreed，"andyet，therewasthemanfacetofacewithruin。Theuseofthatmoneyforafewhoursdidnooneanyharm，andsavedhim。Isaythatsuchadeedisalwaysamatterofcalculation，andinthiscasethathewasjustified。"
　　"Iwonderwhathereallythinksaboutithimself，"sheremarked。
　　"PerhapsI'llaskhim。"
　　Butwhenthetimecame，andhesatintheboxwithLaverickandZoe，heforgoteverythingelseinthejoyofwatchingthewomanwhomhehadlovedsolong。Shemovedaboutthestagethatnightasthoughherfeetindeedfellupontheair。Sheappearedtobesingingalwayswithrestraint，yetwithsomenewpowerinhervoice，aqualitywhicheveninhersimplernotesleftthegreataudiencethrilled。Alreadytherewasarumorthatitwasherlastappearance。
　　HermarriagetoBellamyhadbeenthatdayannouncedintheMorningPost。When，inthelastact，shesangaloneonthestagethefamouslovesong，itseemedtothemallthatalthoughhervoicetrembledmorethanonce，itwasanewthingtowhichtheylistened。ZoefoundherselfclaspingLaverick'shandintremulousexcitement。
　　Bellamysatlikeastatue，alittlebackinthebox，hisclean-cutfacethrownintopowerfulreliefbytheshadowsbeyond。Yet，ashelistened，hiseyes，too，weremarvelouslysoft。Thesonggrewandgrewtill，withthelastnotes，thewholestoryofanexquisiteandexpectantpassionseemedtremblinginhervoice。Thelastnotecamefromherlipsalmostasthoughunwillingly，andwasprolongedforanextraordinaryperiod。Whenitdiedaway，itspassingseemedsomethingalmostunrealizable。Itquiveredawayintoasilencewhichlastedformanysecondsbeforethegatheringroarofapplausesweptthehouse。AndinthoselastfewsecondsshehadturnedandfacedBellamy。Theireyesmet，andthelightwhichflashedfromhisseemedansweredbythequiveringofherthroat。Itwashergood-bye。Shewassinginganewlove-song，singingherwayintothelifeofthemanwhomsheloved，singingherwayintoloveitself。Oncemorethegreathouse，packedtotheceiling，wasworkeduptoastateoffrenziedexcitement。Bellamywasrecognized，andthesignificanceofhersongsentawaveofsentimentthroughthehousewhoseonlypossibleformofexpressiontooktoitselfshapeinthefranticgreetingswhichcalledhertothefrontagainandagain。
　　Butthethreeintheboxweresilent。Bellamystoodbackintheshadows。LaverickandZoeseemedsuddenlytobecomeimmersedinthemselves。Bellamythrewopenthedooroftheboxandpointedoutside。
　　"AtLuigi'sinhalf-an-hour，"saidhesoftly。"Youwillexcusemeforafewminutes？IamgoingtoLouise。"
　　End