\"YoumustdoasIask，\"hedeclaredhoarsely。\"Itdoesn\'tmatteraboutpricesbeingbetter。Iwanttogetaway。Youmusthelpme。\"
Lavericklookedathimsteadily。Morrisonwasanordinaryyoungmanofhistype，somethingofaswaggerer，probablyatheartacoward。Butthiswasnoordinaryfear-noteventheordinaryfearofacoward。Laverick\'sfacebecamegraver。Therewassomethingelse，then！
\"IwillgetyououtofthecountryifIcan，\"saidhe。\"Thereisnodifficultyaboutitatallunlessyouareconcealingsomethingfromme。Youcancatchafaststeamerto-morrow，eitherforSouthAfricaorNewYork，butbeforeImakeanydefiniteplans，hadn\'tyoubettertellmeexactlywhathappenedlastnight？\"
OncemoreMorrison\'slipspartedwithouttheabilitytoframewords。
Thenafeeblemoanescapedhim。Hethrewuphishandsandhisheadfellback。Theghastlinessofhisfacespreadalmosttohislips，andhesankbackamongthepillows。Laverickstrodeacrosstheroomtothedoor。
\"Areyouanywhereabout？\"hecalledout。
Thegirlwasbyhissideinamoment。
\"Thereisnothingtobealarmedat，\"hesaid，\"butyourbrotherhasfainted。Bringmesomesalvolatileifyouhaveit，andIthinkthatyouhadbetterrunoutandgetadoctor。Iwillstaywithhim。
Iknowexactlywhattodo。\"
Shepointedtothedressing-table，wherealittlebottlewasstanding，andrandownstairswithoutaword。Laverickmixedsomeofthespirit，andmovedovertothesideofthefaintingman。
CHAPTERXV
LAVERICK\'sPARTNERFLEES
Thedoctor，agrave，incuriousperson，arrivedwithinafewminutestofindMorrisonalreadyconsciousbutabsolutelyexhausted。Hefelthispatient\'spulse，prescribedadraught，andfollowedLaverick。downintothesittingroom。
\"Anordinarycaseofnervousexhaustion，\"hepronounced。\"Thepatientappearstohavehadaverysevereshocklately。Hewillbeallrightwithproperdietandtreatment，andacompleterest。I
willcallagainto-morrow。\"
HeacceptedthefeewhichLaverickslippedintohishand，andtookhisdeparture。OncemoreLaverickwasalonewiththegirl，whohadfollowedthemdownstairs。
\"Thereisnothingtobealarmedat，yousee，\"heremarked。
\"Itisnothishealthwhichfrightensme。Iamsure-Iamquitesurethathehassomethinguponhismind。Didhetellyounothing？\"
\"Nothingatall，\"Laverickanswered，withaninwardsenseofthankfulness。\"Totellyouthetruth，though，Iamafraidyouarerightandthathedidgetintosomesortoftroublelastnight。Hewasjustabouttotellmesomethingwhenhefainted。\"
Upstairstheycouldhearhimmoaning。Thegirllistenedwithpitifulface。
\"WhatamItodo？\"sheasked。\"Icannotleavehimlikethis，andifIamnotatthetheatreintwentyminutes，Ishallbefined。\"
\"Thetheatre？\"Laverickrepeated。
Shenodded。
\"Iamonthestage，\"shesaid，-\"onlyachorusgirlattheUniversal，worseluck。Still，theydon\'tallowustostayaway，andIcan\'taffordtolosemyplace。\"
\"Doyoumeantosaythatyouhavebeenkeepingyourselfhere，then？\"
Laverickaskedbluntly。
\"Ofcourse，\"sheanswered。\"Idonotliketobeaburdenonanyone，andafterall，yousee，ArthurandIarereallynotrelatedatall。Hehasalwaystoldme，too，thattimeshavebeensobadlately。\"
LaverickwasonthepointoftellingherthatbadthoughtheyhadbeenArthurMorrisonhadneverdrawnlessthanfifteenhundredayear，buthecheckedhimself。Itwasnothisbusinesstointerfere。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"thatyourbrotheroughttohaveprovidedforyou。Hecouldhavedonesowithverylittleeffort。\"
\"ButwhatamItodonow？\"sheaskedhim。\"IfIamabsent，Ishalllosemyplace。\"
Laverickthoughtforamoment。
\"Ifyouwentroundthereandtoldthem，\"hesuggested，\"wouldthatmakeanydifference？Icouldstayuntilyoucameback。\"
\"Doyoumind？\"sheaskedeagerly。\"Itwouldbesokindofyou。\"
\"Notatall，\"heanswered。\"Perhapsyouwouldbegoodenoughtobringataxicabback，andIcouldtakeitontomyrooms。Takeonefromhere，ifyoucanfindit。Therearealwayssomeatthecorner。\"
\"I\'dloveto，\"sheanswered。\"Imustrunupstairsandgetmyhatandcoat。\"
Hewatchedhergoupontiptoeforfearofdisturbingherbrother。
Herfeetseemedalmostunearthlyinthelightnessoftheirpressure。
Notaboardcreaked。Sheseemedtofloatdowntohiminamostbecominglittlehatbutashockinglyshabbyjacket，ofwhosedeficienciessheseemedwhollyunaware。Herlipswerepartedoncemoreinasmile。
\"Heisfastasleepandbreathingquiteregularly，\"sheannounced。
\"Itisniceofyoutostay。\"
Helookedatheralmostjealously。
\"Doyouknow，\"hesaid，\"yououghtnottogoaboutalone？\"
Shelaughed，softlybutheartily。
\"HaveyouanyideahowoldIam？\"
\"ItookyouforfourteenwhenIcameinside，\"heanswered。
\"AfterwardsIthoughtyoumightbesixteen。Lateron，itseemedtomepossiblethatyouwereeighteen。Iamabsolutelycertainthatyouarenotmorethannineteen。\"
\"Thatshowshowlittleyouknowaboutit。Iamtwenty，andIamquiteusedtogoingaboutalone。Willyousitupstairsorhere？
IamsosorrythatIhavenothingtoofferyou。\"
\"Thanks，Ineednothing。IthinkIwillsitupstairsincasehewakes。\"
Shenoddedandstoleout，closingthedoorbehindhernoiselessly。
Laverickwatchedherfromthewindowuntilshewasoutofsight，movingwithoutanyappearanceofhaste，yetwithanincredibleswiftness。Whenshehadturnedthecorner，hewentslowlyupstairsandintotheroomwhereMorrisonstilllayasleep。Hedrewachairtothebedsideandleaningforwardopenedouttheeveningpaper。Theeventsofthelasthourorsohadcompletelyblottedoutfromhismind，forthetimebeing，hisownexpeditionintotheworldoftragicalhappenings。Heglancedatthesleepingman，thenopenedhispaper。Therewasverylittlefreshnewsexceptthatthistimethefactwasmentionedthatuponthebodyofthemurderedmanwasdiscoveredasumlargerthanwasatfirstsupposed。Itseemeddoubtful，therefore，whetherrobbery，afterall，wasthemotiveofthecrime，especiallyasittookplaceinaneighborhoodwhichwasbynomeansinfestedwithcriminals。Therewasasuggestionofpoliticalmotive，areferencetothe\"BlackHand，\"concerningwhosedoingsthepapershadbeenfullsincethemurderofawell-knowndetectiveafewweeksago。Butapartfromthistherewasnothingfresh。
Laverickfoldedupthepaperandleanedbackinhischair。Thestrainofthelasttwenty-fourhourswasbeginningtotellevenuponhisrobustconstitution。Theatmosphereoftheroom，too，wasclose。
Heleanedbackinhischairandwassuddenlyweary。Perhapshedozed。Atanyrate，thewhisperwhichcalledhimbacktorealizationofwherehewas，cametohimsounexpectedlythathesatupwithasuddenstart。
Morrison\'seyeswereopen，hehadraisedhimselfonhiselbow，hislipswereparted。Hismannerwasquieter，buttherewereblacklinesdeepengravenunderhiseyes，inwhichtherestillshonesomethingofthathauntingfear。
\"Laverick！\"herepeatedhoarsely。
Laverick，fullyawakenednow，leanedtowardshim。
\"Hullo，\"hesaid，\"areyoufeelingmorelikeyourself？\"
Morrisonnodded。
\"Yes，\"headmitted，\"Iamfeeling-better。Howdidyoucomehere？
Ican\'trememberanything。\"
\"Yousentforme，\"Laverickanswered。\"Iarrivedtofindyouprettywellinastateofcollapse。Yoursisterhasgoneroundtothetheatretoaskthemtoexcuseherthisevening。\"
\"IremembernowthatIsentforyou，\"Morrisoncontinued。\"Tellme，hasanyonebeenaroundattheofficeaskingafterme？\"
\"Nooneparticular，\"Laverickanswered，-\"nooneatallthatIcanthinkof。Therewereoneortwoinquiriesthroughthetelephone，buttheywereallordinarybusinessmatters。\"
Themanonthebeddrewalittlebreathwhichsoundedlikeasighofrelief。
\"Ihavemadeafoolofmyself，Laverick，\"hesaidhoarsely。
\"Youaremakingaworseoneofyourselfbylyinghereandgivingway，\"Laverickdeclared，\"besidesfrighteningyoursisterhalftodeath。
Morrisonpassedhishandacrosshisforehead。
\"Wetalked-sometimeago，\"hewenton，\"aboutmygettingaway。
Youpromisedthatyouwouldhelpme。YousaidthatIcouldgetofftoAfricaorAmericato-morrow。\"
\"Nottheslightestdifficultyaboutthat，\"Laverickanswered。\"Therearehalf-a-dozensteamerssailing，atleast。Atthesametime，I
supposeIoughttoremindyouthatthefirmisgoingtopullthrough。
Mind-don\'ttakethisunkindlybutthetruthisbest-Iwillnothaveyoubackagain。Theremayhavetobeamoredefinitereadjustmentofouraffairsnow，buttheoldbusinessisfinishedwith。\"
\"Idon\'twanttocomeback，\"Morrisonmurmured。\"Ihavehadenoughofthecityfortherestofmylife。I\'drathergetawaysomewhereandmakeafreshstart。You\'llhelpme，Laverick，won\'tyou？\"
\"Yes，Iwillhelpyou，\"Laverickpromised。
\"Youwerealwaysagoodsort，\"Morrisoncontinued，\"muchtoogoodforme。Itwasarottenpartnershipforyou。Wecouldneverhavepulledtogether。\"
\"Letthatgo，\"Laverickinterrupted。\"Ifyoureallymeangettingaway，thatsimplifiesmatters，ofcourse。Haveyoumadeanyplansatall？Wheredoyouwanttogo？\"
\"ToNewYork，\"answeredMorrison；\"NewYorkwouldsuitmebest。
Thereismoneytobemadethereifonehassomethingtomakeastartwith。\"
\"Therewillbesomemoremoneytocometoyou，\"Laverickanswered，\"probablyagreatdealmore。Ishallplaceouraffairsinthehandsofanaccountant，andshallhaveanestimatedrawnuptoyesterday。
Youshallhaveeverypennythatisduetoyou。Youhavequiteenough，however，togettherewith。Iwillseetoyourticketto-night，ifpossible。Whenyou\'vearrivedyoucancablemeyouraddress，oryoucandecidewhereyouwillstaybeforeyouleave，andIwillsendyouafurtherremittance。\"
\"You\'reagoodsort，Laverick，\"Morrisonmumbled。
\"You\'dbettergivemethekeyofyourrooms，\"Laverickcontinued，\"andIwillgobackandputtogethersomeofyourthings。Isupposeyouwillnotwantmuchtogoawaywith。Therestcanbesentonafterwards。Andwhataboutyourletters？\"
Morrison，withasuddenmovement，threwhimselfalmostoutofthebed。HeclutchedatLaverick\'sshoulderfrantically。
\"Don\'tgonearmyrooms，Laverick！\"hebegged。\"Promisemethatyouwon\'t！Idon\'twantanyletters！Idon\'twantanyofmythings！\"
Laverickwasdumfounded。
\"Youmeanyouwanttogoawaywithout-\"
\"ImeanjustwhatIhavesaid，\"Morrisoncontinuedhysterically。
\"Ifyougotheretheywillwatchyou，theywillfollowyou，theywillfindoutwhereIam。Ishouldbetherenowbutforthat。\"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。Thematterwasbecomingserious。
\"Verywell，\"hesaid，\"Iwilldoasyousay。Iwillnotgonearyourrooms。Iwillgetyouafewthingssomewheretostartwith。\"
Morrisonsankbackuponhispillow。
\"Thankyou，Laverick，\"hesaid；\"thankyou。Iwish-Iwish-\"
Hisvoiceseemedtodieaway。Laverickglancedtowardshim，wonderingattheunfinishedsentence。Onceagaintheman\'sfaceseemedtobeconvulsedwithhorror。Heflunghimselffacedownwarduponthebedandtoreatthesheetswithbothhishands。
\"Don\'tbeafool，\"Lavericksaidsternly。\"Ifyou\'veanythingonyourmindapartfrombusiness，tellmeaboutitandI\'lldowhatIcantohelpyou。\"
Morrisonmadenoreply。Hewassobbingnowlikeachild。Laverickrosetohisfeetandwenttothewindow。Whatwastobedonewithsuchacreature！Whenhegotback，Morrisonhadraisedhimselfoncemoreintoasittingposture。Hisappearancewasabsolutelyspectral。
\"Laverick，\"hesaidfeebly，\"thereissomethingelse，butIcannottellyou-Icannottellanyone。\"
\"Justasyouplease，ofcourse，\"Laverickanswered。\"Iamsimplyanxioustohelpyou。\"
\"Youcandothatasitis！\"Morrisonexclaimedfeverishly。\"Youmustpromisemesomething-promisethatifanyoneasksformeto-morrowbeforeIgetaway，youwillnottellthemwhereIam。
SayyousupposethatIamatmyrooms，orthatIhavegoneintothecountryforafewdays。Saythatyouareexpectingmeback。
Don\'tletanyoneknowthatIhavegoneabroad，untilIamsafelyaway。Andthendon\'ttellasoulwhereIhavegone。\"
\"Haveyoubeenuptoanytrickswithyourfriends？\"Laverickaskedsternly。
\"Ihaven\'t-IswearthatIhaven\'t，\"Morrisondeclared。\"It\'ssomethingquiteoutsidebusiness-quiteoutsidebusinessaltogether。\"
\"Verywell，\"answeredLaverick，\"Iwillpromisewhatyouhaveasked，then。Listen-hereisyoursisterbackagain，\"headded，asheheardthetaxicabstopoutside。\"Pullyourselftogetheranddon\'tfrightenhersomuch。Iamgoingdowntomeether。Ishalltellherthatyouarebetter。Tryandbuckupwhenshecomesintoseeyou。\"
\"I\'lldomybest，\"Morrisonsaidhumbly。\"Ifyouknew！Ifyouonlyknew！\"
Hebegantosobagain。Lavericklefttheroomand，descendingthestairs，metthegirlinthehall。Herwhitefacequestionedhimbeforeherlipshadtimetoframethespeech。
\"Yourbrotherisverymuchbetter，\"Lavericksaid。\"Iamsurethatyouneednotbeanxiousabouthim。\"
\"Iamsoglad，\"shemurmured。\"TheyletmeoffbutIhadtopayafine。IhadnoideabeforethatIwassoimportant。ShallIgotohimnow？\"
\"Onemoment，\"Laverickanswered，holdingopenthedoorofthesitting-room。\"MissMorrison，\"hewenton，-
\"MissLenevenismyname，\"sheinterrupted。
\"Ibegyourpardon。Yourbrotherevidentlyhassomethingonhismindapartfrombusiness。Iamafraidthathehasbeengettingintosomesortoftrouble。Idon\'tthinkthereisanyobjectinbotheringhimaboutit，butthegreatthingistogethimaway。\"
\"Youwillhelp？\"shebegged。
\"Iwillhelp，certainly，\"Laverickanswered。\"Ihavepromisedto。
Youmustseethatheisreadytoleavehereatseveno\'clockto-morrowmorning。HewantstogotoNewYork，andthespecialtocatchtheGermanboatwillleaveWaterloosomewhereabouteighttoeight-thirty。\"
\"Buthisclothes！\"shecried。\"Howcanhebereadybythen？\"
\"Yourbrotherdoesnotwishmeoranyonetogonearhisroomsortosendhimanyofhisbelongings，\"Laverickcontinuedquietly。
\"Buthowstrange！\"thegirlexclaimed。\"Doyoumeantosay，then，thatheisgoingwithoutanything？\"
\"Iamafraid，\"Lavericksaidkindly，\"thatwemusttakeitforgrantedthatyourbrotherhasgotmixedupinsomeundesirablebusinessorother。Heisnervouslyanxioustokeephiswhereaboutsanentiresecret。Hehasbeenaskingmewhetheranyonehasbeentotheofficetoinquireforhim。Underthecircumstances，Ithinkthebestthingwecandoistohumorhim。Ishallbuyhimbeforeto-morrowmorningacheapdressing-caseandaready-madesuitofclothes，andafewthingsforthevoyage。ThenIshallsendacabforyoubothatseveno\'clockandmeetyouatthestation。
\"Youareverykind，\"shemurmured。\"WhatshouldIhavedonewithoutyou？Oh，Icannotthink！\"
Theprotectiveinstinctinthemanwassuddenlystrong。Naturallyunaffectionate，hewasconsciousofanalmostovermasteringdesiretotakeherhandsinhis，eventoliftherupandkissawaythetearswhichshoneinherdeep，childlikeeyes。Heremindedhimselfthatshewasastranger，thatherappearanceofyouthwasadelusion，thatshecouldonlyconstruesuchanactionasaliberty，animpertinence，offeredundercircumstancesforwhichtherecouldbenopossibleexcuse。
Hemovedawaytowardsthedoor。
\"Naturally，\"hesaid，\"Iamgladtobeofusetoyourbrother。Yousee，\"heexplained，alittleawkwardly，\"afterall，wehavebeenpartnersinbusiness。\"
Hecaughtalookuponherfaceandsmiled。
\"Naturally，too，\"hecontinued，\"ithasbeenagreatpleasureformetodoanythingtorelieveyouranxiety。\"
Shegavehimherhandsthenofherownaccord。Thegratitudewhichshoneoutofherswimmingeyesseemedmingledwithsomethingwhichwasalmostinvitation。Laverickwassuddenlysweptoffhisfeet。
Somethinghadcomeintohislife-somethingabsurd，uncountedupon，incomprehensible。Theatmosphereoftheroomseemedelectrified。
Inamoment，hehaddonewhatonlyasecondortwobeforehehadtoldhimselfwouldbetheactionofacad。Hehadtakenher，unresisting，upintohisarms，kissedhereyesandlips。Afterwards，hewasneverabletorememberthosefewmomentsclearly，onlyitseemedtohimthatshehadacceptedhiscaressalmostwithouthesitation，withtheeffortlessserenityofachildreceivinganaturalconsolationinatimeoftrouble。ButLaverickwasconsciousofotherfeelingsasheleanedhardbackinthecornerofhistaxicabandwasdrivenswiftlyaway。
CHAPTERXVI
THEWAITERATTHE\"BLACKPOST\"
Laverick，notwithstandingthatthehourwasbecominglate，foundanoutfitter\'sshopintheStrandstillopen，andmadesuchpurchasesashecouldonMorrison\'sbehalf。Then，withthebagreadypacked，hereturnedtohisrooms。Timehadpassedquicklyduringthelastthreehours。Itwasnearlynineo\'clockwhenhesteppedoutoftheliftandopenedthedoorofhissmallsuiteofroomswiththelatchkeywhichhungfromhischain。Hebegantochangehisclothesmechanically，andhehadnearlyfinishedwhenthetelephonebelluponhistablerang。
\"Who\'sthat？\"heasked，takingupthereceiver。
\"Hall-porter，sir，\"wastheanswer。\"Personherewishestoseeyouparticularly。\"
\"Aperson！\"Laverickrepeated。\"Manorwoman？\"
\"Man，sir。
\"Bettersendhimup，\"Laverickordered。
\"He\'saseedy-lookinglot，sir，\"theporterexplained\"ItoldhimthatIscarcelythoughtyou\'dseehim。\"
\"Nevermind，\"Laverickanswered。\"Icansoongetridofthefellowifhe\'scadging。\"
Hewentbacktohisroomandfinishedfasteninghistie。Hisownaffairshadsunkalittleintothebackgroundlately，buttheannouncementofthisunusualvisitorbroughtthembackintohismindwitharush。Notwithstandinghisironnerves，hisfingersshookashedrewonhisdinner-jacketandwalkedouttothepassagewaytoanswerthebellwhichrangafewsecondslater。A
manstoodoutside，dressedinshabbyblackclothes，whosefacesomehowwasfamiliartohim，althoughhecouldnot，forthemoment，placeit。
\"Doyouwanttoseeme？\"Laverickasked。
\"Ifyouplease，Mr。Laverick，\"themanreplied，\"ifyoucouldsparemejustamoment。\"
\"Youhadbettercomeinside，then，\"Lavericksaid，closingthedoorandprecedingthewayintothesitting-room。Atanyrate，therewasnothingthreateningabouttheappearanceofthisvisitor-noranythingofficial。
\"Ihavetakenthelibertyofcoming，sir，\"themanannounced，\"toaskyouifyoucantellmewhereIcanfindMr。ArthurMorrison。\"
Laverick\'sfaceshowednosignofhisrelief。Whathefelthesucceededinkeepingtohimself。
\"YoumeanMorrison-mypartner，Isuppose？\"heanswered。
\"Ifyouplease，sir，\"themanadmitted。\"Iwantedawordortwowithhimmostparticular。Ifoundouthisaddressfromthecaretakerofyouroffice，buthedon\'tseemtohavebeenhometohisroomsatalllastnight，andtheyknownothingabouthimthere。\"
\"Yourfaceseemsfamiliartome，\"Laverickremarked。\"Wheredoyoucomefrom？\"
Themanhesitated。
\"Iamthewaiter，sir，atthe\'BlackPost，\'-littlebarandrestaurant，youknow，\"headded，\"justbehindyouroffices，sir，attheendofCrookedFriars\'Alley。You\'vebeeninonceortwice，Mr。Laverick，Ithink。Mr。Morrison\'saregularcustomer。
Hecomesinforadrinkmostmornings。\"
Lavericknodded。
\"IknewI\'dseenyourfacesomewhere，\"hesaid。\"WhatdoyouwantwithMr。Morrison？\"
Themanwassilent。Hetwirledhishatandlookedembarrassed。
\"It\'samatterIshouldn\'tliketomentiontoanyoneexceptMr。
Morrisonhimself，sir，\"hedeclaredfinally。\"Ifyoucouldputmeinthewayofseeinghim，I\'dbeglad。Imaysaythatitwouldbetohisadvantage，too。\"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforamoment。
\"Asithappens，that\'salittledifficult，\"heexplained。\"Mr。
MorrisonandIdisagreedonamatterofbusinesslastnight。I
undertookcertainresponsibilitieswhichheshouldhaveshared，andhearrangedtoleavethefirmandthecountryatonce。Weparted-well，notexactlythebestoffriends。IamafraidI
cannotgiveyouanyinformation。\"
\"Youhaven\'tseenhimsincethen，sir？\"themanasked。
Laverickliedpromptlybutheliedbadly。Hisvisitorwasnotintheleastconvinced。
\"IamafraidIhaven\'tmademyselfquiteplain，sir，\"hesaid。
\"It\'stodohimabito\'goodthatI\'mhere。I\'mnotwishinghimanyharmatall。Onthecontrary，it\'sagreatdealmoretohisadvantagetoseemethanitwillbeminetofindhim。\"
\"Ithink，\"Lavericksuggested，\"thatyouhadbetterbefrankwithme。SupposingIknewwheretocatchMorrisonbeforeheleftthecountry，Icouldeasilydealwithyouonhisbehalf。\"
Themanlookeddoubtful。
\"Yousee，sir，\"herepliedawkwardly，\"it\'samatterIwouldn\'tliketobreatheawordabouttoanyonebutMr。Morrisonhimself。
It\'s-it\'sabitserious。\"
Theman\'sfacegaveweighttohiswords。Curiouslyenough，thegleamofterrorwhichLaverickcaughtinhiswhitefaceremindedhimofasimilarlookwhichhehadseeninMorrison\'seyesbarelyanhourago。Togaintime，Laverickmovedacrosstheroom，tookacigarettefromaboxandlitit。Aconvictionwasformingitselfinhismind。Therewassomethingdefinitebehindthesehystericalparoxysmsofhislatepartner，somethingofwhichthismanhadaninkling。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaid，throwinghimselfintoaneasychair，\"Ithinkyouhadbetterbefrankwithme。ImustknowmorethanIknowatpresentbeforeIhelpyoutofindMorrison，evenifheistobefound。Wedidn\'tpartverygoodfriends，butI\'mhisfriendenough-forthesakeofothers，\"headded，afteramoment\'shesitation，\"todoallthatIcouldtohelphimoutofanydifficultyhemayhavestumbledinto。Soyouseethatsofarasanythingyoumayhavetosaytohimisconcerned，Ithinkyoumightaswellsayittome。\"
\"Youcouldn\'tseeyourway，then，sir，\"themancontinueddoggedly，\"totellmewhereIcouldfindMr。Morrisonhimself？\"
\"No，Icouldn\'t，\"Laverickdecided。\"EvenifIknewexactlywherehewas-andI\'mnotadmittingthat-Icouldn\'tputyouintouchwithhimunlessIknewwhatyourbusinesswas。
Theman\'seyesgleamed。Hewasatypicalwaiter-pasty-faced，unwholesome-looking-buthehadsmalleyesofagreenishcast，andtheywereexpressive。
\"Ithink，sir，\"hesaid，\"you\'vesomeideayourself，then，thatMr。
Morrisonhasbeengettingintoabitoftrouble。\"
\"Wewon\'tdiscussthat，\"Laverickanswered。\"Youmusteithergoaway-it\'spastnineo\'clockandIhaven\'thadmydinneryet-oryoumusttreatmeasyouwouldMr。Morrison。\"
Themanlookeduponthecarpetforseveralmoments。
\"Verywell，sir，\"hesaid，\"there\'snogreatreasonwhyIshouldputmyselfoutaboutthisatall。Theonlythingis-\"
Hehesitated。
\"Well，goon，\"Lavericksaidencouragingly。
\"Ithink，\"themancontinued，\"thatMr。Morrison-knowing，asI
welldo，sir，thesortofgentheis-wouldbemorelikelytotalkcommonsensewithmeaboutthismatterthanyou，sir。\"
\"I\'llimagineI\'mMorrison，forthemoment，\"Lavericksaidsmiling，\"especiallyasI\'mactingforhim。\"
Themanlookedaroundtheroom。Thedoorbehindhadbeenleftajar。
Hesteppedbackwardandclosedit。
\"You\'llpardontheliberty，sir，\"hesaid，\"butthisisaseriousmatterI\'mgoingtospeakabout。I\'lljusttellyoualittlethingandyoucanformyourownconclusions。Lastnightwewasopenlateatthe\'BlackPost。\'Wekeepopen，sir，asyouknow，whenyougentlemenattheStockExchangearebusy。Aboutnineo\'clocktherewasastrangecustomercamein。Hehadtwodrinksandhesatasthoughhewerewaiting。Inabout\'arf-an-houranothergentcamein，andtheywentintoacornertogetherandseemedtobedoingsomesortofbusiness。Anyways，therewaspaperspassedbetweenthem。Iwasfairlybusyaboutthen，astherewereoneortwomorecustomersintheplace，butInoticedthesetwotalkingtogether，andInoticedthedarkgentlemanleave。Theotherswentoutafewminutesafterwards，andthegentwhohadcomefirstwasaloneintheplace。
Hesatinthecornerandhehadapocket-bookonthetablebeforehim。IhadasortofcasualglanceatitwhenIbroughthimadrink，anditseemedtomethatitwasfullofbank-notes。Hesattherejustlikeamanextradeepinthought。Justaftereleven，incameMr。Morrison。Icouldseehewasrareandputout，forhewaswhite，andshakingallover。\'Givemeadrink，Jim，\'hesaid，-\'abigbrandyandsoda，bigasyoumake\'em。\"\'
Themanpausedforamomentasthoughtocollecthimself。Laverickwassuddenlyconsciousofastrangethrillcreepingthroughhispulses。
\"Goon，\"hesaid。\"Thatwasafterheleftme。Goon。\"
\"Hewasquiteclosetotheothergent，Mr。Morrisonwas，\"thewaitercontinued，\"buttheydidn\'tsaynowttoeachother。AllofasuddenIseeMr。Morrisonsetdownhisglassandstareattheotherchapasthoughhe\'dseensomethingthathadgivenhimaturn。Ileanedoverthecounterandhadalook，too。Therehesat-thistall，fairchapwhohadbeenintheplacesolong-withhisbigpocket-bookonthetableinfrontofhim，andevenfromwhereIwasIcouldseethattherewasagreatpileofbank-notesstickingoutfromit。AllofasuddenhelooksupandseesMr。Morrisona-watchinghimandmefrombehindthecounter。Backhewhisksthepocket-bookintohispocket，callsmeformybill，givesmetwomouldypenniesforatip，buttonsuphiscoatandwalksout。\"
\"Youknowwhohewas？\"Laverickinquired。
Againthewaiterpausedforamomentbeforeheanswered-pausedandlookednervouslyaroundtheroom。Hisvoiceshook。
\"Hewasthemanaswasmurderedaboutahundredyardsoffthe\'BlackPost\'lastnight，sir，\"hesaid。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"Laverickasked。
\"Igotanhouroffto-day，\"thewaitercontinued，\"andwentdowntotheMortuary。Therewasnodoubtaboutit。Therehewas-samechap，sameclothes。Icouldsweartohimanywhere，andIreckonI\'11havetoattheinquest。\"
Laverick\'scigaretteburnedawaybetweenhisfingers。Itseemedtohimthathewasnolongerintheroom。HewaslisteningtoBigBenstrikingthehour，hewasbackagaininthattinylittlebedroomwithitsspotlesssheetsandlacecurtains。Themanonthebedwaslookingathim。Laverickrememberedthelookandshivered。
\"WhathasthistodowithMorrison？\"hedemanded。
Oncemorethewaiterlookedaroundinthathalfmysterious，halfterrifiedway。
\"Mr。Morrison，sir，\"hesaid，droppinghisvoicetoahoarsewhisper，\"hefollowedtheotherchapoutwithinthirtyseconds。Asortofqueerlookhe\'dgotinhisfacetoo，andhewentoutwithoutpayingme。I\'vereadthepapersprettycareful，sir，\"themanwenton，\"butIain\'tseennowordofthatpocket-bookofbank-notesbeingfoundonthemanaswasmurdered。\"
Laverickthrewtheendofhisburningcigaretteaway。Hewalkedtothewindow，keepinghisbackdeliberatelyturnedonhisvisitor。
HiseyesfollowedtheglitteringarcoflightswhichfringedtheThamesEmbankment，werecaughtbytheflaringsky-signontheothersideoftheriver。Hefelthisheartbeatingwithunaccustomedvigor。
Wasthis，then，thesecretofMorrison\'sterror？Hewonderednolongerathiscollapse。Theterrorwasuponhim，too。Hefelthisforehead，andhishand，whenhedrewitaway，waswet。ItwasnotMorrisonalonebuthehimselfwhomightbeimplicatedinthisman\'sknowledge。Thethoughtsflittedthroughhisbrainlikepartsofanightmare。HesawMorrisonarrested，hesawthewholestoryofthemissingpocket-bookinthepapers，heimaginedhisbankmanagerreadingitandthinkingofthatparcelofmysteriousbank-notesdepositedinhiskeepingonthemorningafterthetragedy……
Laverickwasastrongman，andhismomentofweakness，poignantthoughithadbeen，passed。Thiswasnonewthingwithwhichhewasconfronted。Allthetimehehadknownthattheprobabilitieswereinfavorofsuchadiscovery。Hesethisteethandturnedtofacehisvisitor。
\"Thisisaveryseriousthingwhichyouhavetoldme，\"hesaid。
\"Haveyouspokenaboutittoanyoneelse？\"
\"Notasoul，sir，\"themananswered。\"IthoughtitbesttohaveawordortwofirstwithMr。Morrison。\"
\"Youwerethinkingofattendingtheinquest，\"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。\"Thepolicewouldthankyouforyourevidence，andthere，Isuppose，thematterwouldend。\"
\"You\'vehititprecisely，sir，\"themanadmitted。\"Therethematterwouldend。\"
\"Ontheotherhand，\"Laverickcontinued，speakingasthoughhewerereasoningthismatterouttohimself，\"supposingyoudecidednottomeddleinanaffairwhichdoesnotconcernyou，supposingyouwerenotsureastotheidentityofyourcustomerlastnight，andbeingalittletiredyoucouldnotrightlyrememberwhetherMr。Morrisoncalledinforadrinkornot，andso，tocutthemattershort，youdismissedthewholematterfromyourmindandlettheinquesttakeitsowncourse，-Laverickpaused。Hisvisitorscratchedthesideofhischinandnodded。
\"You\'veputthismatterplainly，sir，\"hesaid，\"inwhatIcallanunderstandable，straightforwardway。I\'mapoorman-I\'vebeenapoormanallmylife-andI\'veneverseedachancebeforeofgettingawayfromit。Iseeonenow。\"
\"Youwanttodothebestyoucanforyourself？\"
\"So\'elpmeGod，sir，Ido！\"themanagreed。
Lavericknodded。
\"Youhavedonearemarkablywisething，\"hesaid，\"incomingtomeandintellingmeaboutthisaffair。TheideaofconnectingMr。
Morrisonwiththemurderwould，ofcourse，beridiculous，but，ontheotherhand，itwouldbeverydisagreeabletohimtohavehisnamementionedinconnectionwithit。Youhavebehaveddiscreetly，andyouhavedoneMr。Morrisonaserviceintryingtofindhimout。
YouwilldohimafurtherservicebyadoptingthesecondcourseI
suggestedwithregardtotheinquest。Whatdoyouconsiderthatserviceisworth？\"
\"Itdepends，sir，\"themanansweredquietly，\"atwhatpriceMr。
Morrisonvalueshislife！\"
CHAPTERXVII
THEPRICEOFSILENCE
Theman\'smannerwasexpressive。Laverickrepeatedhisphrase，frowning。
\"Hislife！\"
\"Yes，sir！\"
Laverickshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Come，\"hedeclared，\"youmustnotgotoofarwiththisthing。I
haveadmitted，soastoclearthewayforanythingyouhavetosay，thatMr。Morrisonwouldnotcaretohavehisnamementionedinconnectionwiththisaffair。Butbecauseheleftyourbarafewminutesafterthemurderedman，itissheerfollytoassumethatthereforeheisnecessarilyimplicatedinhisdeath。Icannotconceiveanythingmoreunlikely。\"
Themansmiled-aslow，uncomfortablesmilewhichsuggestedmirthlessthananythingintheworld。
\"Thereareafewotherthings，sir，\"heremarked，-\"oneinespecial。\"
\"Well？\"Laverickinquired。\"Let\'shaveit。Youhadbettertellmeeverythingthatisinyourmind。\"
\"Themanwasstabbedwithahorn-handledknife。\"
\"Irememberreadingthat，\"Laverickadmitted。
\"Well？\"
\"Theknifewasmine，\"hisvisitoraffirmed，droppinghisvoiceoncemoretoawhisper。\"Itlayontheedgeofthecounter，closetowhereMr。Morrisonwasleaning，andassoonashe\'dgoneImissedit。\"
Laverickwassilent。Whatwastheretobesaid？
\"Horn-handledknives，\"hemuttered，\"arenotrarenotuncommonthings。\"
\"Onedon\'tpossessaknifeforamatterofeightornineyearswithoutbeingabletosweartoit，\"theotherremarkeddryly。
\"Isthereanythingmore？\"
\"Theredon\'tneedtobe，\"wasthequietreply。\"Youknowthat，sir。
SodoI。Theredon\'tneedtobeanymoreevidencethanminetosendMr。Morrisontothegallows。\"
\"Wewillwaivethatpoint，\"Laverickdeclared。\"Thejurysometimesareveryhardtoconvincebycircumstantialevidencealone。However，asIhavesaid，letuswaivethatpoint。Yourpositionisclearenough。Yougototheinquest，youtellallyouknow，andyougetnothing。Youareapoorman，youhaveworkedhardallyourlife。
Thechancehascomeinyourwaytodoyourselfalittlegood。Nowtakemyadvice。Don\'tspoilitallbyaskingforanythingridiculous。
Itwon\'tdoforyoutocomeintoafortuneafewdaysafterthisaffair，especiallyifitevercomesoutthatthemurderedmanwasinyourplace。IamheretoactforMr。Morrison。Whatisitthatyouwant？\"
\"Youaretalkinglikeagent，sir，\"themansaid，-\"likeasensiblegent，too。I\'dhavetokeepitquiet，ofcourse，thatI\'dcomeintoabitofmoney，-justatpresent，atanyrate。Icouldeasyfindanexcuseforchangingmyjob-perhapsgetawayfromLondonaltogether。I\'vegotafewpoundssavedandI\'vealwayswantedtoopenabankingaccount。Agentlikeyou，perhaps，couldputmeinthewayofdoingit。\"
\"Howmuchdoyouconsiderwouldbeasatisfactorybalancetocommencewith？\"Laverickasked。
\"Iwasthinkingofathousandpounds，sir。\"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
\"Bytheway，whatisyourname？\"heinquiredatlast。
\"JamesShepherd，sir，\"themananswered，-\"generallycalledJim，sir。\"
\"Well，yousee，Shepherd，\"Laverickcontinued，\"thedifficultyis，inyourcase，asinallsimilarones，thatoneneverknowswherethethingwillend。Athousandpoundsisaconsiderablesum，butinfouramounts，withthreemonthsintervalbetweeneach，itcouldbearranged。Thiswouldbebetterforyou，inanycase。Twohundredandfiftypoundsisnotanunheard-ofsumforyoutohavesavedorgottogether。Afterthatyourinvestmentswouldbemylookout，andtheywouldproduce，asIhavesaid，anothersevenhundredandfiftypounds。ButwhatsecurityhaveI-hasMr。
Morrison，letussay-thatyouwillbecontentwiththissum？\"
\"Hehasn\'tany，sir，\"themanadmittedatonce。\"Hecouldn\'thaveany。I\'mamodest-livingman，andI\'venodesiretogoshoutingaroundthatI\'mindependentallofasudden。Thatwouldn\'tdonohow。AthousandpoundswouldbringmeinnearenoughapoundaweekifIinvestedit，ortwopoundsaweekforanannuity，myhealthbeingnonetoogood。I\'venowifeorchildren，sir。Iwasthinkingofanannuity。WithtwopoundsaweekI\'dhavenocausetotroubleanyoneagain。\"
Laverickconsidered。
\"Itshallbedone，\"hesaid。\"To-morrowIshallbuysharesforyoutotheextentoftwohundredandfiftypounds。Theywillbedepositedinabank。Somedayyoucanlookinandseeme，andI
willtakeyouroundthere。Youaremyclientwhohasspeculatedundermyinstructionssuccessfully，andyouwillsignyournameandbecomeacustomer。Afterthat，youwillspeculateagain。
Whenyourthousandpoundshasbeenmade，Iwillshowyouhowtobuyanannuity。Keepyourmouthshut，andlastnightwillbetheluckiestnightofyourlife。Doyoudrink？\"
\"Adroportwo，sir，\"themanadmitted。\"IfIdidn\'t，IguessI\'dgooffmychump。\"
\"Doyoutalkwhenyou\'redrunk？\"Laverickasked。
\"Never，sir，\"themandeclared。\"I\'veawayofgettingadroptoomuchwhenI\'mbymyself。ThenItumblesofftosleepandthat\'stheendofit。I\'venofancyforcompanyatsuchtimes。\"
\"It\'sagoodthing，\"Laverickremarked，thrustinghishandintohispocket。\"Here\'safive-poundnoteonaccount。Idaresayyoucanmanagetokeepsoberto-night，atanyrate。That\'sall，isn\'tit？\"
\"That\'sall，sir，\"themananswered，\"unlessImightmakesoboldastoaskwhetherMr。Morrisonhasreallyhookedit？\"
\"Mr。Morrisonhaddecidedtohookit，asyougraphicallysay，beforehecameinforthatdrinktoyourbar，Shepherd，\"Laverickaffirmed。
\"Businesshadbeennonetoogoodwithus，andwehadhadadisagreement。\"
Themannodded。
\"Isee，sir，\"hesaid，takinguphishat。\"Goodnight，sir！\"
\"Goodnight！\"Laverickanswered。\"Youcanfindyourwaydown？\"
\"Quitewell，sir，andthankyou，\"declaredMr。Shepherd，closingthedoorsoftlybehindhim。
Lavericksatdowninhischair。Hehadforgottenthathewashungry。
Hewasfacednowwithanewtragedy。
CHAPTERXVIII
THELONELYCHORUSGIRL
Theystoodtogetherupontheplatformwatchingtherecedingtrain。
Thegirl\'seyeswerefilledwithtears，butLaverickwasconsciousofasenseofimmenserelief。Morrisonhadbeenatthestationsometimebeforethetrainwasduetoleave，and，althoughaphysicalwreck，heseemedonlytooanxioustodepart。Hehadalltheappearanceofabroken-spiritedman。Helookedabouthimontheplatform，andevenfromthecarriage，inthefurtivewayofacriminalexpectingapprehensionatanymoment。ThewhistleofthetrainhadbeenareliefasgreattohimastoLaverick。
We\'11writeyoutoNewYork，careofBarclays，\"Laverickcalledout。
\"Goodluck，Morrison！Pullyourselftog-etherandmakeafreshstart。
\"Morrison\'sonlyreplywasasomewhatfeeblenod。Laverickhadnotattemptedtoshakehands。Hefelthimselfatthelastmoment，stirredalmosttoangerbytheperfunctoryfarewellwhichwasallthismanhadofferedtothegirlhehadtreatedsoinconsiderately。
Histhoughtswereengrosseduponhimselfandhisowndanger。Hewouldnotevenhavekissedherifshehadnotdrawnhisfacedowntohersandwhisperedareassuringlittlemessage。Laverickturnedaway。Forsomereasonorotherhefelthimselfshuddering。
Conversationduringthoselastfewmomentshadbeenincreasinglydifficult。Thetrainwasoffatlast，however，andtheywerealone。
Thegirldrewalongbreath，whichmightverywellhavebeenoneofrelief。Theyturnedsilentlytowardtheexit。
\"Areyougoingbackhome？\"Laverickasked。
\"Yes，\"sheansweredlistlessly。\"Thereisnothingelsetodo。\"
\"Isn\'titrathersadforyoutherebyyourself？\"
Shenodded。
\"Itisthefirsttime，\"shesaid。\"Anothergirlandhermotherhavelivedwithmealways。Theystartedofflastweek，touring。
TheyarepayingalittletowardthehouseorIshouldhavetogointorooms。Asitis，Ithinkthatitwouldbemorecomfortable。\"
Lavericklookedatherwonderingly。
\"Youseemsuchachild，\"hesaid，\"tobeleftallaloneintheworldlikethis。\"
\"ButIamnotachildactually，yousee，\"sheanswered，withaneffortatlightness。\"Somehow，though，IdomissArthur\'sgoing。
Hisfatherwasalwaysverygoodtome，andmadehimpromisethathewoulddowhathecould。Ididn\'tseemuchofhim，butonefeltalwaysthattherewassomebody。It\'sdifferentnow。Itmakesonefeelverylonely。\"
\"I，too，\"Lavericksaid，withcommendablemendacity，\"amratheralonelyperson。Youmustletmeseesomethingofyounowandthen。\"
Shelookedupathimquickly。Hergazewasaltogetherdisingenuous，buthereyes-thosewonderfuleyes-spokevolumes。
\"Ifyoureallymeanit，\"shesaid，\"Ishouldbesoglad。\"
\"Supposingwestartto-day，\"hesuggested，smiling。\"Icannotaskyoutolunch，asIhaveabusydaybeforeme，butwemighthavedinnertogetherquiteearly。ThenIwouldtakeyoutothetheatreandmeetyouafterwards，ifyouliked。\"
\"IfIliked！\"shewhispered。\"Oh，howgoodyouare。\"
\"Iamnotatallsureaboutthat。NowI\'llputyouinthistaxiandsendyouhome。\"
Shelaughed。
\"Youmustn\'tdoanythingsoextravagant。Icangeta\'busjustoutside。Ineverhavetaxicabs。\"
\"Justthismorning，\"heinsisted，\"andIthinkhewon\'ttroubleyouforhisfare。Youmustletme，please。Rememberthatthere\'salargeaccountopenstillbetweenyourhalf-brotherandme，soyouneedn\'tmindthesetrifles。Tillthisevening，then。ShallI
fetchyouorwillyoucometome？\"
\"Letmefetchyou，ifImay，\"shesaid。\"Itisn\'tniceforyoutocomedowntowhereIlive。It\'ssuchahorridpart。\"
\"Justasyoulike，\"heanswered。\"I\'dbeverygladtofetchyouifyoupreferit，butitwouldgivememoretimeifyoucame。Shallwesayseveno\'clock？I\'vewrittentheaddressdownonthiscardsothatyoucanmakenomistake。\"
Shelaughedgayly。
\"Youknow，allthetime，\"shesaid，\"IfeelthatyouaretreatingmeasthoughIwereababy。I\'llbetherepunctually，andIdon\'tthinkIneedtiethecardaroundmyneck。\"
Thecabglidedoff。Laverickcaughtaglimpseofawanlittlefacewithafaintsmilequiveringatthecornerofherlipsassheleanedoutforamomenttosaygood-bye。Thenhewentbacktohisrooms，breakfasted，andmadehiswaytohisoffice。
ThemorningpapershadnothingnewtoreportconcerningthemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alley。Evidentlywhatinformationthepolicehadobtainedtheywerekeepingfortheinquest。Laverick，fromthemomentwhenheenteredtheoffice，hadlittleornotimetothinkofthetragedyunderwhoseshadowhehadcome。Thelong-predictedboomhadarrivedatlast。Withoutlunch，heandallhisclerksworkeduntilaftersixo\'clock。EventhenLaverickfoundithardtoleave。Duringtheday，adozenpeopleorsohadbeenintoaskforMorrison。Toallofthemhehadgiventhesamereply，-Morrisonhadgoneabroadonprivatebusinessforthefirm。VeryfewweredeceivedbyLaverick\'sdrystatement。Hewasquiteawarethathewaslookeduponeitherasoneoftheluckiestmenonearth，orasafinancierofconsummateskill。ThefailureofLaverick&Morrisonhadbeenlookeduponasacertainty。Howtheyhadtidedoverthattwenty-fourhourshadbeenknowntonoone-tonoonebutLaverickhimselfandthemanagerofhisbank。
Justbeforefouro\'clock，thetelephonerangathiselbow。
\"Mr。Fenwickfromthebank，sir，iswishingtospeaktoyouforamoment，\"hishead-clerkannounced。
Lavericktookupthetelephone。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"IamLaverick。Goodafternoon，Mr。Fenwick！
Absolutelyimpossibletospareanytimeto-day。Whatisit？Theaccountisallright，isn\'tit？\"
\"Quiteright，Mr。Laverick，\"wastheanswer。\"Atthesametime，ifyoucouldsparemeamomentIshouldbegladtoseeyouconcerningthedeposityoumadeyesterday。\"
\"Iwillcomeinto-morrow，\"Laverickpromised。\"Thisafternoonitisquiteoutofthequestion。Ihaveacrowdofpeoplewaitingtoseeme，andseveralimportantengagementsforwhichIamlatealready。\"
Thebankerseemedscarcelysatisfied。
\"Imayrelyuponseeingyouto-morrow？\"hepressed。
\"To-morrow，\"Laverickrepeated，ringingoff。
Foratimethislastmessagetroubledhim。Assoonastheday\'sworkwasover，however，andhesteppedintohiscab，hedismisseditentirelyfromhisthoughts。Itwascurioushow，notwithstandingthisnewseriousnesswhichhadcomeintohislife，notwithstandingthatsensationofwalkingallthetimeonthebrinkofaprecipice，hesethisfacehomewardandlookedforwardtohisevening，withapleasurewhichhehadnotfeltformanymonths。Thewhirlofthedayfadedeasilyfromhismind。Helivednomoreinanatmosphereofwildexcitement，ofchangingprices，offeverishanxiety。Howemptyhislifemusthaveunconsciouslygrownthathecouldfindsomuchpleasureinbeingkindtoaprettychild！Itwashardtothinkofherotherwise-impossible。Astrangeheritage，this，tohavebeenlefthimbysuchapersonasArthurMorrison。Howintheworld，hewondered，didhehappentohavesuchaconnection。
Shewasalittleshywhenshearrived。Laverickhadleftspecialordersdownstairs，andshewasbroughtupintohissitting-roomimmediately。Shewasveryquietlydressedexceptforherhat，whichwaslargeandwavy。Hefounditbecoming，butheknewenoughtounderstandthatherclotheswereverysimpleandveryinexpensive，andhewasconsciousofbeingcuriouslygladofthefact。
\"Iamafraid，\"shesaidtimidly，withaglanceathiseveningattire，\"thatwemustgosomewhereveryquiet。Yousee，IhaveonlyoneeveninggownandIcouldn\'twearthat。Therewouldn\'tbetimetochangeafterwards。Besides，one\'sclothesdogetsoknockedaboutinthedressing-rooms。\"
\"Thereareheapsofplaceswecangoto，\"heassuredherpleasantly。
\"Ofcourseyoucan\'t，dressfortheeveningwhenyouhavetogoontowork，butyoumustrememberthatthereareagoodmanyothersmartyoungladiesinthesameposition。IhadtochangebecauseI
havetakenastalltoseeyourperformance。Tellme，howareyoufeelingnow？\"
\"Ratherlonely，\"sheadmitted，makingapatheticlittlegrimace。
\"ThatistosayIhavebeenfeelinglonely，\"sheaddedsoftly。\"I
don\'tnow，ofcourse。
\"Youareaqueerlittleperson，\"hesaidkindly，astheywentdowninthelift。\"Haven\'tyouanyfriends？\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
\"WhatsortoffriendscouldIhave？\"sheasked。\"Thegirlsinthechoruswithmeareverynice，someofthem，buttheyknowsomanypeoplewhomIdon\'t，andtheyarealwaysouttosupper，orsomethingofthesort。\"
\"Andyou？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Iwenttoonesupper-partywiththegirlwhoisnearme，\"shesaid。
\"Ilikeditverymuch，buttheydidn\'taskmeagain。\"
\"Iwonderwhy？\"heremarked。
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow！\"shewentondrearily。\"Yousee，Ithinkthemenwhotakeoutgirlswhoareinthechorus，generallyexpecttobeallowedtomakelovetothem。Atanyrate，theybehavedlikethat。SuchahorridmantriedtosaynicethingstomeandIdidn\'tlikeitabit。Sotheyleftmealoneafterwards。ThegirlIlivedwithandhermotherarequitenice，andtheyhaveafewfriendswegotoseesometimesonSundayorholidays。It\'sdull，though，verydull，especiallynowthey\'reaway。\"
\"Whatonearthmadeyouthinkofgoingonthestageatall？\"heasked。
\"Whatcouldonedo？\"sheanswered。\"Mymother\'smoneydiedwithher-shehadonlyanannuity-andmystepfather，whohadpromisedtolookafterme，lostallhismoneyanddiedquitesuddenly。Arthurwasinastockbroker\'sofficeandhecouldn\'tsaveanything。Myonlyfriendwasmyoldmusic-master，andhehadgivenupteachingandwasdirectoroftheorchestraattheUniversal。Allhecoulddoformewastogetmeaplaceinthechorus。Ihavebeenthereeversince。
TheykeeponpromisingmealittlepartbutInevergetit。It\'salwayslikethatintheatres。Youhavetobeafavoriteofthemanager\'s，forsomereasonorother，oryounevergetyourchanceunlessyouareunusuallylucky。\"
\"Idon\'tknowmuchabouttheatres，\"headmitted。\"IamafraidIamratherastupidperson。WhenIcangetawayfromworkIgointothecountryandplaycricketorgolf，oranythingthat\'sgoing。
WhenIamupintown，Iamgenerallycontentwithlookingupafewfriends，orplayingbridgeattheclub。Ineverhavebeenatheatre-goer。
\"Iwonder，\"sheasked，astheyseatedthemselvesatasmallroundtableintherestaurantwhichhehadchosen，-\"Iwonderwhyeverynowandthenyoulooksoserious。\"
\"Ididn\'tknowthatIdid，\"heanswered。\"We\'vehadthunderinghardtimeslatelyinbusiness，though。Isupposethatmakesamanlookthoughtful。\"
\"PoorMr。Laverick，\"shemurmuredsoftly。\"Arethingsanybetternow？\"
\"Muchbetter。\"
\"Thenyouhavenothingreallytobotheryou？\"shepersisted。
\"Isupposeweallhavesomething，\"hereplied，suddenlygrave。
\"Whydoyouaskthat？\"
Sheleanedacrossthetable。Intheshadedlight，herovalfacewithitslittlehaloofdeepbrownhairseemedtohimasthoughitmighthavebelongedtosomeoldminiature。Shewasdelightful，likeWatteau-workuponapieceofpricelessporcelain-delightfulwhenthelightsplayedinhereyesandthesmilequiveredatthecornerofherlips。Justnow，however，shebecameverymuchinearnest。
\"IwilltellyouwhyIaskthatquestion，\"shesaid。\"IcannothelpworryingstillaboutArthur。Youknowyouadmittedlastnightthathehaddonesomething。Yousawhowterriblyfrightenedhewasthismorning，andhowhekeptonlookingaroundasthoughhewereafraidthathewouldseesomebodywhomhewishedtoavoid。
Oh！Idon\'twanttoworryyou，\"shewenton，\"butIfeelsoterrifiedsometimes。Ifeelthathemusthavedonesomething-bad。
Itwasnotanordinarybusinesstroublewhichtookthelifeoutofhimsocompletely。\"
\"Itwasnot，\"Laverickadmittedatonce。\"Hehasdonesomething，I
believe，quitefoolish；butthematterisinmyhandstoarrange，andIthinkyoucanassureyourselfthatnothingwillcomeofit。\"
\"Didyoutellhimsothismorning？\"sheaskedeagerly。
\"Ididnot，\"heanswered。\"Itoldhimnothing。Formanyreasonsitwasbettertokeephimignorant。HeandImightnothaveseenthingsthesameway，andIamsurethatwhatIamdoingisforthebest。IfIwereyou，MissLeneveu，IthinkIwouldn\'tworryanymore。SoonyouwillhearfromyourbrotherthatheissafeinNewYork，andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthatthetroublewillnevercometoanythingserious。\"
\"Whyhaveyoubeensokindtohim？\"sheaskedtimidly。\"Fromwhathesaid，Idonotthinkthathewasveryusefultoyou，and，indeed，youandhearesodifferent。\"
Laverickwassilentforamoment。
\"Tobehonest，\"hesaid，\"IthinkthatIshouldnothavetakensomuchtroubleforhissakealone。Yousee，\"hecontinued，smiling，\"youareratheradelightfulyoungperson，andyouwereveryanxious，weren\'tyou？\"
Herhandcameacrossthetable-animpulsivelittlegesture，whichheneverthelessfoundperfectlynaturalanddelightful。Hetookitintohis，andwouldhaveraisedthefingerstohislipsbutforthewaiterswhowerehoveringaround。
\"Youaresokind，\"shesaid，\"andIamsofortunate。IthinkthatIwantedafriend。\"
\"Youpoorchild，\"heanswered，\"Ishouldthinkyoudid。Youarenotdrinkingyourwine。\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Doyoumind？\"sheasked。\"AverylittlegetsintomyheadbecauseItakeitsoseldom，andthemanageriscrossifonemakestheleastbitofamistake。Besides，IdonotthinkthatIliketodrinkwine。Ifonedoesnottakeitatall，thereisanexcuseforneverhavinganythingwhenthegirlsaskyou。\"
Henoddedsympathetically。
\"Ibelieveyouarequiteright，\"hesaid；\"inageneralway，atanyrate。Well，Iwilldrinkbymyselftoyourbrother\'ssafearrivalinNewYork。Areyouready？\"
Sheglancedattheclock。
\"Imustbethereinaquarterofanhour，\"shetoldhim。
\"Iwilldriveyoutothetheatre，\"hesaid，\"andthengoroundandfetchmyticket。\"
Ashewaitedforherinthereceptionhalloftherestaurant，hetookaneveningpaperfromthestall。Abriefparagraphatonceattractedhisattention。
MurderintheCity-Weunderstandthatveryimportantinformationhascomeintothehandsofthepolice。AnARRESTisexpectedto-nightorto-morrowatthelatest。
Hecrushedthepaperinhishandandthrewitononeside。Itwastheusualsortofthing。Therewasnothingtheycouldhavefoundout-nothing，hetoldhimself。