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