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