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