CHAPTERXIX
MYSTERIOUSINQUIRIES
Assoonashehadgonethroughhislettersonthefollowingmorning，Laverick，inresponsetoasecondandmoreurgentmessage，wentroundtohisbank。Mr。Fenwickgreetedhimgravely。Hewasfeelingkeenlytheresponsibilitiesofhisposition。Justhowmuchtosayandhowmuchtoleaveunsaidwasaquestionwhichcalledforafullmeasureofdiplomacy。
\"Youunderstand，Mr。Laverick，\"hebegan，\"thatIwishedtoseeyouwithregardtothearrangementwecametothedaybeforeyesterday。\"
Lavericknodded。Itsuitedhimtoremainmonosyllabic。
\"Well？\"heasked。
\"Thearrangement，ofcourse，wasmostunusual，\"themanagercontinued。
\"Iagreedtoitasyouwereanoldcustomerandthematterwasanurgentone。\"
\"Idonotquitefollowyou，\"Laverickremarked，frowning。\"Whatisityouwishmetodo？Withdrawmyaccount？\"
\"Notintheleast，\"themanageransweredhastily。
\"Youknowthepositionofourmarket，ofcourse，\"Laverickwenton。
\"ThreedaysagoIwasinasituationwhichmighthavebeencalleddesperate。Icouldquiteunderstandthatyouneededsecuritytogoonmakingthenecessarypaymentsonmybehalf。To-day，thingsareentirelydifferent。Iamtwentythousandpoundsbetteroff，andifnecessaryIcouldrealizesufficienttopayoffthewholeofmyoverdraftwithinhalf-an-hour。ThatIdonotdosoissimplyamatterofpolicyandprices。\"
\"Iquiteunderstandthat，mydearMr。Laverick，\"thebankmanagerdeclared。\"Thepositionissimplythis。Wehavehadamostunusualandastrictlyprivateinquiry，ofanaturewhichIcannotdivulgetoyou，askingwhetheranylargesuminfivehundredpoundbanknoteshasbeenpassedthroughouraccountduringthelastfewdays。\"
\"Youhaveactuallyhadthisinquiry？\"Laverickaskedcalmly。
\"Wehave。Icantellyounomore。Thesourceoftheinquirywas，inasense，amazing。\"
\"MayIaskwhatyourreplywas？\"
\"Myreplywas，\"Mr。Fenwicksaidslowly，\"thatnosuchnoteshadpassedthroughouraccount。Weaskedthem，however，withoutgivinganyreasons，torepeattheirquestioninafewdays\'time。Ourreplywasperfectlytruthful。Owingtoyourpeculiarstipulations，wearesimplyholdingacertainpacketforyouinoursecuritychamber。Weknowittocontainbank-notes，andthereisverylittledoubtbutthatitcontainsthenoteswhichhavebeenthesubjectofthisinquiry。Iwanttoaskyou，Mr。Laverick，tobesogoodastoopenthatpacket，letmecreditthenotestoyouraccountintheusualway，andleavemefreetoreplyasIoughttohavedoneinthefirstinstancetothisinquiry。\"
\"Thecoursewhichyousuggest，\"repliedtheother，\"isonewhichI
absolutelydeclinetotake。Itisnotformetotellyouthenatureoftherelationswhichshouldexistbetweenabankerandhisclient。
AllthatIcansayisthatthosenotesaredepositedwithyouandmustremainondeposit，andthatthetransactionisonewhichmustbetreatedentirelyasaconfidentialone。Ifyoudeclinetodothis，Imustremovemyaccount，inwhichcaseIshall，ofcourse，takethepacketawaywithme。Tobeplainwithyou，Mr。Fenwick，\"
hewoundup，\"Idonotintendtomakeuseofthosenotes，Ineverintendedtodoso。Isimplydepositedthemassecurityuntiltheturninpriceof\'Unions\'came。
\"Itisaverynicepoint，Mr。Laverick，\"thebankmanagerremarked。
\"Ishouldconsiderthatyouhadalreadymadeuseofthem。\"
\"Everyonetohisownconscience，\"Laverickansweredcalmly。
\"Youplacemeinaveryembarrassingposition，Mr。Laverick。\"
\"Icannotadmitthatatall，\"Laverickreplied。\"Thereisonlyoneinquirywhichyoucouldhavehadwhichcouldjustifyyouininsistinguponwhatyouhavesuggested。Itemanated，Ipresume，fromScotlandYard？\"
\"Ifithad，\"Mr。Fenwickanswered，\"noconsiderationsofetiquettewouldhaveintervenedatall。Ishouldhavefeltitmydutytohaverevealedatoncethefactofyourdeposit。Atthesametime，theinquirycomesfromanevenmoreimportantsource，-asourcewhichcannotbeignored。\"
Laverickthoughtforamoment。
\"Afterall，thematterisaverysimpleone，\"hedeclared。\"Byfouro\'clockthisafternoonmyaccountshallbewithinitslimits。
Youwillthenautomaticallyrestoretomethepacketwhichyouholdonmybehalf，andthepossessionofwhichseemstoembarrassyou。\"
\"Ifyoudonotmind，\"thebankeranswered，\"Ishouldbegladifyouwouldtakeitwithyou。Itmeans，Ithink，amatterofsixorseventhousandpoundsaddedtoyouroverdraft，butasatemporarythingwewillpassthat。\"
\"Asyouwill，\"Laverickassentedcarelessly。\"Thechargeofthosedocumentsisatrustwithmeaswellaswithyourself。IhavenodoubtthatIcanarrangefortheirbeingheldinasecureplaceelsewhere。\"
Theusualformalitiesweregonethrough，andLaverickleftthebankwiththebrownleatherpocket-bookinhisbreast-coatpocket。
Arrivedathisoffice，helockeditupatonceinhisprivatesafeandproceededwiththeusualbusinessoftheday。Evenwithanaddedstaffofclerks，theofficewasalmostinanuproar。Laverickthrewhimselfintothestrugglewithawhole-hearteddesiretoescapefromtheseunpleasantmemories。Hesucceededperfectly。Itwastwohoursbeforehewasabletositdownevenforamoment。Hishead-clerk，almostasexhausted，followedhimintohisroom。
\"Iforgottotellyou，sir，\"heannounced，\"thattheresamanoutside-Mr。Shepherdwashisname，Ibelieve-saidhehadasmallinvestmenttomakewhichyoupromisedtolookafterpersonally。Hewouldinsistonseeingyou-saidhewasawaiteratarestaurantwhichyouvisitedsometimes。\"
\"That\'sallright，\"Laverickdeclared。\"Youcanshowhimin。We\'llprobablygivehimAmericanrails。\"
\"Can\'tweattendtoitintheofficeforyou，sir？\"theclerkasked。
\"Isupposeit\'sonlyamatterofafewhundreds。\"
\"Lessthanthat，probably，butIpromisedthefellowI\'dlookafteritmyself。Sendhimin，Scropes。\"
TherewasabriefdelayandthenMr。Shepherdwasannounced。
Laverick，whowassittingwithhiscoatoff，smokingawell-earnedcigarette，lookedupandnoddedtohisvisitorasthedoorwasclosed。
\"Sorrytokeepyouwaiting，\"heremarked。\"We\'rehavingabitofarush。\"
ThemanlaiddownhishatandcameuptoLaverick\'sside。
\"Iguessthat，sir，\"hesaid，\"fromthenumberofpeoplewe\'vehadinthe\'BlackPost\'to-day，andthewaythey\'veallbeenshoutingandtalking。Theydon\'tseemtoeatmuchthesedays，butthere\'ssomeofthemcanshiftthedrink。\"
\"I\'vegotsomesoundstockslookedoutforyou，\"Laverickremarked，\"twohundredandfiftypounds\'worth。Ifyou\'lljustapprovethatlistasamatterofform，\"headded，pushingapieceofpaperacross，\"youcancomeinto-morrowandhavethecertificates。Ishalltellthemtodebitthepurchasemoneytomyprivateaccount，sothatifanyoneasksyouanything，youcansaythatyoupaidmeforthem。\"
\"I\'msureI\'mmuchobliged，sir，\"themansaid。\"Totellyouthetruth，\"hewenton，\"I\'vehadabitofascareto-day。\"
Lavericklookedupquickly。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hedemanded。
\"MayIsitdown，sir？I\'mabitwornout。I\'vebeenonthegosincehalf-pastten。\"
Lavericknoddedandpointedtoachair。Shepherdbroughtituptothesideofthetableandleanedforward。
\"There\'sbeentwomeninto-day，\"hesaid，\"askingquestions。TheywantedtoknowhowmanycustomersIhadthereonMondaynight，andcouldIdescribethem。WasthereanyoneIrecognized，andsoon。\"
\"Whatdidyousay？\"
\"IdeclaredIcouldn\'trememberanyone。Tothebestofmyrecollection，Itoldthem，therewasnooneservedatallafterteno\'clock。Iwouldn\'tsayforcertain-itlookedasthoughImighthavehadareason。\"
\"Andweretheysatisfied？\"
\"Idon\'tthinktheywere，\"Shepherdadmitted。\"Notaltogether，thatistosay。\"
\"Didtheymentionanynames？\"askedLaverick-\"Morrison\'s，forinstance？Didtheywanttoknowwhetherhewasaregularcustomer？\"
\"Theydidn\'tmentionnonamesatall，sir，\"themananswered，\"buttheydidbegintoaskquestionsaboutmyregularclients。Fortunatelike，theplacewassocrowdedthatIhadeveryexcusefornotpayinganytoomuchattentiontothem。ItwasallIcoulddotokeepongettingordersattendedto。\"
\"Whatsortofmenwerethey？\"Laverickasked。\"Doyouthinkthattheycamefromthepolice？\"
\"Ishouldn\'thavesaidso，\"Shepherdreplied，\"butonecan\'ttell，andthesegentlemenfromScotlandYarddomakethemselvesupsosometimesonpurposetodeceive。Ishouldhavesaidthatthesetwowereforeigners，thesamekidneyasthepoorchapaswasmurdered。
Iheardawordortwopass，andIsortofgatheredthatthey\'dashrewdideaastothatmeetinginthe\'BlackPost\'betweenthemanwhowasmurderedandthelittledarkfellow。\"
Lavericknodded。
\"JimShepherd，\"hedeclared，\"youappeartometobeaverysagaciousperson。\"
\"I\'msureI\'mmuchobliged，sir；Icantellyou，though，\"headded，\"Idon\'thalflikethesechapscomingroundmakinginquiries。Mynervesain\'tquitewhattheywere，anditgivesmethejumps。\"
Laverickwasthoughtfulforafewmoments。
\"Afterall，therewasnooneelseinthebarthatnight，\"heremarked，-\"noonewhocouldcontradictyou？\"
\"Notasoul，\"JimShepherdagreed。
\"Thendon\'tyoubother，\"Laverickcontinued。\"Yousee，you\'vebeenwise。Youhaven\'tgivenyourselfawayaltogether。You\'vesimplysaidthatyoudon\'trecollectanyonecomingin。Whyshouldyourecollect？Attheendofaday\'sworkyouarenotlikelytonoticeeverystraycustomer。Sticktoit，and，ifyoutakemyadvice，don\'tgothrowinganymoneyabout，anddon\'tgiveyournoticeinforanotherweekorso。Pavethewayforitabit。Askthegovernorforarise-sayyou\'renotmakingalivingoutofit。\"
\"I\'mon，\"JimShepherdremarked，noddinghishead。\"I\'montoit，sir。Idon\'twanttogetintonotrouble，I\'msure。\"
\"Youcan\'t，\"Laverickanswereddryly，\"unlessyouchuckyourselfin。
You\'renotobligedtorememberanything。Noonecaneverprovethatyourememberedanything。Keepyoureyesopen，andletmehearifthesefellowsturnupagain。\"
\"I\'mprettycertaintheywill，sir，\"themandeclared。\"Theysataboutwaitingformetobedisengaged，butwhenmytimeoffcame，I
hoppedoutthebackway。They\'llbethereagainto-night，sureenough。\"
Lavericknodded。
\"Well，youmustletmeknow，\"hesaid，\"whathappens。\"
JimShepherdleanedacrossthecornerofthetableanddroppedhisvoice。
\"It\'sanawfulthingtothinkof，sir，\"hewhispered，blinkingrapidly。\"Iwouldn\'tbethatyoungMr。Morrisonforallthatgreatpocketfulofnotes。Butmy！therewasasightofmoneythere，sir！He\'llbearichmanforallhisdaysifnothingcomesout。\"
\"Wewon\'ttalkanymoreaboutit，\"Laverickinsisted。\"Itisn\'tapleasantthingtothinkaboutortalkabout。Wewon\'tknowanything，Shepherd。Weshallbebetteroff。\"
Themantookhisdepartureandthewhirlofbusinessrecommenced。
Laverickturnedhisbackuponthecityonlyafewminutesbeforeeightand，tiredout，hedinedatarestaurantonhishomewardway。
Whenatlasthereachedhissitting-roomhethrewhimselfonthesofaandlitacigar。Oncemoretheeveningpapershadnoparticularnews。Thistime，however，oneofthemhadaleadingarticleupontheEnglishpolicesystem。Thefactthatanundetectedmurdershouldtakeplaceinawealthyneighborhood，awayfromtheslums，amurderwhichmusthavebeenpremeditated，wasinitselfalarming。Untiltheinquesthadbeenheld，itwasbettertomakelittlecommentuponthefactsofthecasesofarastheywereknown。
Atthesametime，thecircumstancecouldnotfailtoinciteaconsiderableamountofalarmamongthosewhohadofficesinthevicinityofthetragedy。ItwasrumoredthatsomemysteriousinquirieswerebeingcirculatedaroundLondonbanks。Itwaspossiblethatrobbery，afterall，hadbeentherealmotiveofthecrime，butrobberyonascaleasyetunimagined。Thewholeinterestofthecasenowwascentreduponthediscoveryoftheman\'sidentity。
Assoonasthiswassolved，someverystartlingdevelopmentsmightbeexpected。
Laverickthrewthepaperaway。Hetriedtorestuponthesofa，buttriedinvain。Hefoundhimselfcontinuallyglancingattheclock。
\"To-night，\"hemutteredtohimself，-\"no，Iwillnotgoto-night！
Itisnotfairtothechild。Itisabsurd。Why，shewouldthinkthatIwas-\"
Hestoppedshort。
\"I\'llchangeandgototheclub，\"hedecided。
Herosetohisfeet。Justthentherewasaringathisbell。Heopenedthedoorandfoundamessengerboystandinginthevestibule。
\"Note，sir，forMr。StephenLaverick，\"theboyannounced，openinghiswallet。
Laverickheldouthishand。Theboygavehimalargesquareenvelope，anduponthebackofitwas\"UniversalTheatre。\"
Lavericktriedtoassurehimselfthathewasnotsoridiculouslypleased。Hesteppedbackintotheroom，toreopentheenvelope，andreadthefewlinestracedinratherfaintbutdelicatehandwriting。
Areyoucomingtofetchmeto-night？Don\'tletmebeanuisance，butdocomeifyouhavenothingtodo。Ihavesomethingtotellyou。
ZOE。
Laverickgavetheboyashillingforhimselfandsuddenlyforgotthathewastired。Hechangedhisclothes，whistlingsoftlytohimselfallthetime。Ateleveno\'clock，hewasatthestage-dooroftheUniversalTheatre，waitinginataxicab。
CHAPTERXX
LAVERICKISCROSS-EXAMINED
Onebyonetheyoungladiesofthechoruscameoutfromthestage-dooroftheUniversal，inmostcasestobeassistedintoawaitinghansomortaxicabbyanattendantcavalier。Laverickstoodbackintheshadowsasmuchaspossible，smilingnowandthentohimselfatthis，tohim，somewhatnovelwayofspendingtheevening。
Zoewasamongthelasttoappear。Shecameuptohimwithadelightfullittlegestureofpleasure，andtookhisarmasamatterofcourseasheledheracrosstothewaitingcab。
\"Thissortofthingismakingmefeelabsurdlyyoung，\"hedeclared。
\"Luigi\'sforsupper，Isuppose？\"
\"Supper！\"sheexclaimed，clappingherhands。\"Delightful！Twonightsfollowing，too！Ididlovelastnight。\"
\"WehadbetterengageatableatLuigi\'spermanently，\"heremarked。
\"Ifonlyyoumeantit！\"shesighed。
Helaughedather，buthewasthoughtfulforafewminutes。
Afterwards，whentheysatatasmallroundtableinthesomewhatBohemianrestaurantwhichwasthefashionablerendezvousofthemomentforladiesofthetheatricalprofession，heaskedheraquestion。
\"Tellmewhatyoumeantinyournote，\"hebegged。\"Yousaidthatyouhadsomeinformationforme。
\"I\'mafraiditwasn\'tanythingverymuch，\"sheadmitted。\"Ifoundoutto-daythatsomeonehadbeeninquiringatthestage-dooraboutme，andwhetherIwasconnectedinanywaywithaMr。ArthurMorrison，thestockbroker。\"
\"Doyouknowwhoitwas？\"heasked。
Sheshookherhead。
\"Themanleftnonameatall。Itriedtogetthedoorkeepertotellmeabouthim，buthe\'ssuchasurlyoldfellow，andhe\'ssousedtothatsortofthing，thathepretendedhedidn\'trememberanything。\"
\"Itseemsodd，\"heremarkedthoughtfully，\"thatanyoneshouldhavefoundyouout。YouweresoseldomwithMorrison。Idaresay，\"headded，\"itwasjustsomeonetowhomyourbrotherowessomesmallsumofmoney。\"
\"Verylikely，\"sheanswered。\"ButIwasgoingtotellyou。Hecameagainto-nightwhiletheperformancewason，andsentanoteround。
Ihavebroughtitforyoutosee。\"
Thenote-itwasreallylittlemorethanamessage-waswrittenonthebackofaprogrammeandenclosedinanenvelopeevidentlyborrowedfromthebox-office。Itreadasfollows:
DEARMISSLENEVEU，IbelievethatMr。ArthurMorrisonisaconnectionofyours，andI
amventuringtointroducemyselftoyouasafriendofhis。Couldyousparemehalf-an-hourofyourcompanyaftertheperformanceofthisevening？Ifyoucouldhonormesomuch，youmightperhapsallowmetogiveyousomesupper。
Sincerely，PHILIPE。MILES。
Laverickfeltanabsurdpangofjealousyashehandedbacktheprogramme。
\"Ishouldsay，\"hedeclared，\"thatthiswassimplysomeyoungmanwhowastryingtoscrapeanacquaintancewithyoubecausehewasorhadbeenafriendofMorrison\'s。\"
\"Inthatcase，\"answeredZoe，\"heisverysoonforgotten。\"
Shetoretheprogrammeintotwopieces，andLaverickwasconsciousofaridiculousfeelingofpleasureatherindifference。
\"Ifyouhearanythingmoreabouthim，\"hesaid，\"youmightletmeknow。Youareabraveyoungladytodismissyouradmirerssosummarily。\"
\"PerhapsIamquitesatisfiedwithone，\"laughingsoftly。
Lavericktoldhimselfthatathisagehewasbehavinglikeanidiot，neverthelesshiseyesacrossthetableexpressedhisappreciationofherspeech。
\"Tellmesomethingaboutyourself，Mr。Laverick，\"shebegged。
\"Forinstance？\"
\"Firstofall，then，howoldareyou？\"
Hemadeagrimace。
\"Thirty-eight-thirty-ninemynextbirthday。Doesn\'tthatseemgrandfatherlytoyou？\"
\"Youmustnotbeabsurd！\"sheexclaimed。\"Itisnotevenmiddle-aged。Nowtellme-howdoyouspendyourtimegenerally？
Doyoureallymeanthatyougoandplaycardsatyourclubmostevenings？\"
\"Ihaveagoodmanyfriends，andIdineoutquiteagreatdeal。\"
\"Youhavenosisters？\"
\"IhavenorelativesatallinLondon，\"heexplained。
\"Itistobearealcross-examination，\"shewarnedhim。
\"Iamquitecontent，\"heanswered。\"Goahead，butremember，though，thatIamaverydullperson。\"
\"Youlooksoyoungforyouryears，\"shedeclared。\"Iwonder，haveyoueverbeeninlove？\"
Helaughedheartily。
\"Aboutadozentimes，Isuppose。Why？DoIseemtoyoulikeamisanthrope？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"sheadmitted，hesitatingly。\"Youdon\'tseemtomeasthoughyoucaredtomakefriendsveryeasily。IjustfeltI
wantedtoaskyou。Haveyoueverbeenengaged？\"
\"Never，\"heassuredher。
\"Andwhenwasthelasttime，\"sheasked，\"thatyoufeltyoucaredalittleforanyone？\"
\"Itdatesfromthedaybeforeyesterday，\"hedeclared，fillingherglass。
Shelaughedathim。
\"Ofcourse，itisnonsensetotalktoyoulikethis！\"shesaid。
\"Youarequiterighttomakefunofme。\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"heinsisted。\"Iamverymuchinearnest。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"sheanswered，\"ifyouareinearnestyoushallbeinlovewithme。Youshalltakemeabout，givemesuppereverynight，sendmesomesweetsandcigarettestothetheatre-oh，andthereareheapsofthingsyououghttodoifyoureallymeanit！\"
shewoundup。
\"Ifthosethingsmeanbeingfondofyou，\"heanswered，\"I\'llproveitwithpleasure。Sweets，cigarettes，suppers，taxicabsatthestage-door。\"
\"Itallsoundsveryterrible，\"shesighed。\"It\'sahorridlittlelife。\"
\"YetIsupposeyouenjoyit？\"heremarkedtentatively。
\"Ihateit，butImustdosomething。Icouldnotliveoncharity。
IfIknewanyotherwayIcouldmakemoney，Iwouldrather，butthereisnootherway。Itriedoncetogivemusiclessons。Ihadafewpupils，buttheyneverpaid-theyneverdopay。
\"IwishIcouldthinkofsomething，\"Lavericksaidthoughtfully。
\"Ofcourse，itisoccupationyouwant。Sofarasregardsthemonetarypartofit，Istilloweyourbrotheragreatdeal-\"
Sheshookherhead，interruptinghimwithaquicklittlegesture。
\"No，no！\"shedeclared。\"IhavenevercomplainedaboutArthur。
Sometimeshemademesuffer，becauseIknowthathewasashamedofhavingarelativeinthechorus，butIamquitesurethatIdonotwishtotakeanyofhismoney-orofanybodyelse\'s，\"sheadded。
\"Iwantalwaystoearnmyownliving。\"
\"Forsuchachild，\"heremarked，smiling，\"youarewonderfullyindependent。\"
\"Whynot？\"sheansweredsoftly。\"ItisyearssinceIhadanyonetodoverymuchforme。Necessityteachesusagoodmanythings。
Oh，Iwashelplessenoughwhenitbegan！\"sheadded，withalittlesigh。\"Igotoverit。Wealldo。Tellme-whoisthatwoman，andwhydoesshestaresoatyou？\"
Lavericklookedacrosstheroom。LouiseandBellamyweresittingattheoppositetable。Theformerwasstrikinglyhandsomeandverywonderfullydressed。Herclosely-clinginggown，cutslightlyopeninfront，displayedhermarvelousfigure。Sheworelongpearlearrings，andahatwithwhitefeatherswhichdroopedoverherfairhair。Laverickrecognizedheratonce。
\"ItisMademoiselleIdiale，\"hesaid，\"themostwonderfulsopranointheworld。\"
\"Whydoesshelooksoatyou？\"Zoeasked。
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Idonotknowher，\"hesaid。\"Iknowwhosheis，ofcourse，-everyonedoes。SheisaServian，andtheysaythatsheisdevotedtohercountry。SheleftViennaatamoment\'snotice，onlyafewdaysago，andtheysaythatitwasbecauseshehadswornnevertosingagainbeforetheenemiesofhercountry。ShehadbeenengagedalongtimetoappearatCoventGarden，butnoonebelievedthatshewouldreallycome。Shebreaksherengagementsjustwhenshechooses。Infact，sheisaverywonderfulpersonaltogether。\"
\"Ineversawsuchpearlsinmylife，\"Zoewhispered。\"Andhowlovelysheis！Idonotunderstand，though，whysheissointerestedinyou。\"
\"Shemistakesmeforsomeone，perhaps。\"
Itcertainlyseemedprobable。Evenatthatmomentshetouchedherescortuponthearm，andhedistinctlylookedacrossatLaverick。Itwasobviousthathewasthesubjectofherconversation。
\"Iknowtheman，\"Lavericksaid。\"HewasatHarrowwithme，andI
haveplayedcricketwithhimsince。ButIhavecertainlynevermetMademoiselleIdiale。Onedoesnotforgetthatsortofperson。
\"Herfigureismagnificent，\"Zoemurmuredwistfully。\"Doyouliketallwomenverymuch，Mr。Laverick？\"
\"Iadorethem，\"heanswered，smiling，\"butIprefersmallones。\"
\"Weareveryfoolishpeople，youandI，\"shelaughed。\"Wecametogethersostrangelyandyetwetalksuchfrivolousnonsense。
\"Youaremakingmeyoungagain，\"hedeclared。
\"Oh，youarequiteyoungenough！\"sheassuredhim。\"Totellyouthetruth，Iamjealous。MademoiselleIdialelooksatyouallthetime。Lookathernow。Isshenotbeautiful？\"
Therewasnodoubtaboutherbeauty，butthosewhowerecriticisingher-andshewasbyfarthemostinterestingpersonintheroom-
thoughtheralittlesad。ThoughBellamywasdoinghisutmosttobeentertaining，hereyesseemedtotraveleverynowandthenoverhisheadandoutoftheroom。Whereverherthoughtswere，onecouldbeverysurethattheywerenotfixeduponthesubjectunderdiscussion。
\"Sheislikethatwhenshesings，\"Laverickremarked。\"ShehasnoneofthevivacityoftheFrenchwomen。Yettherewasneveranythingsogracefulintheworldasthewayshemovesaboutthestage。\"
\"IfIwereaman，\"Zoesighed，\"thatisthesortofwomanIwoulddiefor。\"
\"Ifyouwereaman，\"hereplied，\"youwouldprobablyfindsomeonewhomyoupreferredtolivefor。Doyouknow，youareratheramorbidsortofperson，MissZoe？\"
\"Ah，Ilikethat！\"shedeclared。\"IwillnotbecalledMissLeneveuanymorebyyou。YoumustcallmeMissZoe，please，-Zoe，ifyoulike。\"
\"Zoe，byallmeans。Underthecircumstances，Ithinkitisonlyfitting。\"
Hiseyeswanderedacrosstheroomagain。
\"Ah！\"shecriedsoftly，\"you，too，arecomingunderthespell，then。
Iwasreadingaboutheronlytheotherday。Theysaythatsomanymenfallinlovewithher-somanymentowhomshegivesnoencouragementatall。\"
Lavericklookedintohiscompanion\'sface。
\"Come，\"hesaid，\"myheartisnotsoeasilywon。IcanassureyouthatIneveraspiretosomightyapersonageasaCoventGardenstar。
Don\'tyouknowthatshegetsasalaryoffivehundredpoundsaweek，andwearsropesofpearlswhichwouldrepresenttentimesmyentireincome？Heavenaloneknowswhathergownscost！\"
\"Afterall，though，\"murmuredZoe，\"sheisawoman。See，yourfriendiscomingtospeaktoyou。\"
Bellamywasindeedcrossingtheroom。HenoddedtoLaverickandbowedtohiscompanion。
\"Forgivemyintruding，Laverick，\"hesaid。\"Youdorememberme，I
hope？Bellamy，youknow。\"
\"Irememberyouquitewell。WeusedtoplaytogetheratLord\'s，evenafterweleftschool。\"
Bellamysmiled。
\"Thatisso，\"heanswered。\"Iseebythepapersthatyouhavekeptupyourcricket。Mine，alas！hashadtogo。Ihavebeentoomuchofarollingstonelately。DoyouknowthatIhavecometoaskyouafavor？\"
\"Goahead，\"Laverickinterposed。
\"MademoiselleIdialehasafancytomeetyou，\"Bellamyexplained。
\"Youknow，orIdaresayyouhaveheard，whatacreatureofwhimssheis。Ifyouwon\'tcomeacrossandbeintroducedlikeagoodfellow，sheprobablywon\'tspeakawordallthroughsupper-time，gooffinahuff，andmyeveningwillbespoiled。\"
Lavericklaughedheartily。AlittlesmileplayedatthecornerofZoe\'slips-nevertheless，shewaslookingslightlyanxious。
\"Underthosecircumstances，\"remarkedLaverick，\"perhapsIhadbettergo。Youwillunderstand，\"headded，withaglanceatZoe，\"thatIcannotstayformorethanasecond。\"
\"Naturally，\"Bellamyanswered。\"IfMademoisellereallyhasanythingtosaytoyou，Iwill，ifIampermitted，returnforamoment。\"
LaverickintroducedhimtoZoe。
\"IamsureIhaveseenyouattheUniversal，\"hedeclared。\"You\'reinthefrontrow，aren\'tyou？Ihaveseenyouinthatcleverlittlestep-danceandsonginthesecondact。\"
Shenodded，evidentlypleased。
\"Doesitseemclevertoyou？\"sheaskedwistfully。\"Yousee，weareallsotiredofit。\"
\"Ithinkitisripping，\"Bellamydeclared。\"Ishallhavethepleasureagaindirectly，\"headded，withabow。
Thetwomencrossedtheroom。
\"WhatthedickensdoesMademoiselleIdialewantwithme？\"Laverickdemanded。\"DoessheknowthatIamapoorstockbroker，strugglingagainsthardtimes？\"
Bellamyshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Sheisn\'tthesorttocarewhoorwhatyouare，\"heanswered。\"Andasfortherest，Isupposeshecouldbuyanyofusupifshewantedto。Herinterestinyouisratheracuriousone。Notimetoexplainitnow。She\'lltellyou。\"
Louisesmiledashepausedbeforeher。Shewascertainlyexquisitelybeautiful。Herdress，hercarriage，herdelicatehands，evenhervoice，wereallperfection。ShegavehimthetipsofherfingersasBellamypronouncedhisname。
\"Itissokindofyou，\"shesaid，\"tocomeandspeaktome。AndindeedyouwilllaughwhenItellyouwhyIthoughtthatIwouldliketosayonewordwithyou。\"
Laverickbowed。
\"Iamthankful，Mademoiselle，\"hereplied，\"foranythingwhichprocuresmesuchapleasure。\"
Shesmiled。
\"Ah！you，too，aregallant，\"shesaid。\"Butindeed，then，IfearyouwillnotbeflatteredwhenItellyouwhyIwassointerested。
Ireadallyournewspapers。IreadofthatterriblemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alleyonlyafewdaysago，-isnotthathowyoucalltheplace？\"
Laverickwassuddenlygrave。Whatwasthisthatwascoming？
\"Oneofthereports，\"shecontinued，\"saysthatthemanwasaforeigner。Themaker\'snameuponhisclotheswasAustrian。I，too，comefromthatpartofEurope-ifnotfromAustria，fromacountryverynear-andIamalwaysinterestedinmycountry-people。
AfewmomentsagoIaskedmyfriendMr。Bellamy，\'WhereisthisCrookedFriars\'Alley？\'Justthenhebowedtoyou，andheansweredme，\'Itisinthecity。ItiswithinayardortwooftheofficesofthegentlemantowhomIjusthavesaidgood-evening。\'SoI
lookedacrossatyouandIthoughtthatitwasstrange。\"
Laverickscarcelyknewwhattosay。
\"Itwasaterribleaffair，\"headmitted，\"and，asMr。Bellamyhastoldyou，itoccurredwithinafewstepsofmyoffice。Sofar，too，thepoliceseemcompletelyataloss。\"
\"Ah！\"shewenton，shakingherhead，\"yourpolice，Iamafraidtheyarenotveryclever。Itistoobad，butIamafraidthatitisso。
Tellme，Mr。Laverick，isthis，then，averylonelyspotwhereyourofficesare？\"
\"Notatall，\"Laverickreplied。\"Onthecontrary，inthedaytimeitmightbecalledtheheartofthecity-ofthemoney-makingpartofthecity，atanyrate。Onlythisthing，yousee，seemstohavetakenplaceverylateatnight。\"
\"Whenalltheofficeswereclosed，\"sheremarked。
\"Mostofthem，\"Laverickanswered。\"Mine，asithappened，wasopenlatethatnight。Ipassedthespotwithinhalf-an-hourorsoofthetimewhenthemurdermusthavebeencommitted。\"
\"Butthatisterrible！\"shedeclared，shakingherhead。\"Tellme，Mr。Laverick，ifIdrivetoyourofficesomemorningyouwillshowmethisplace，-yes？\"
\"Ifyouareinearnest，Mademoiselle，Iwillcertainlydoso，butthereisnothingthere。Itisjustapassage。\"
\"Yougivemeyouraddress，\"sheinsisted，\"andIthinkthatIwillcome。Youareastockbroker，Mr。Bellamytellsme。Well，sometimesIhaveagooddealofmoneytoinvest。Icometoyouandyouwillgivemeyouradvice。So！Youhaveacard！\"
Laverickfoundoneandscribbledhiscityaddressuponit。Shethankedhimandoncemoreheldoutthetipsofherfingers。
\"SoIshallseeyouagainsomeday，Mr。Laverick。\"
Hebowedandrecrossedtheroom。BellamywasstandingtalkingtoZoe。
\"Well，\"heasked，。asLaverickreturned，\"areyou，too，goingtothrowyourselfbeneaththecar？\"
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Idonotthinkso，\"heanswered。\"Ouracquaintancepromisestobeabusinessone。Mademoisellespokeofinvestingsomemoneythoughme。\"
Bellamylaughed。
\"Thenyouhavekeptyourheart，\"heremarked。\"Ah，well，youhaveeveryreason！\"
HebowedtoZoe，noddedtoLaverick，andreturnedtohisplace。
Lavericklookedafterhimalittlecompassionately。
\"Poorfellow，\"hesaid。
\"Whoishe？\"
\"HehassomesortofaGovernmentappointment，\"Laverickanswered。
\"TheysayheishopelesslyinlovewithMademoiselleIdiale。\"
\"Whynot？\"Zoeexclaimed。\"Heisnice。Shemustcareforsomeone。Whydoyoupityhim？\"
\"Theysay，too，thatshehasnomoreheartthanastone，\"Laverickcontinued，\"andthatneveramanhashadevenakindwordfromher。
Sheisverypatriotic，andallthethoughtsandloveshehastosparefromherselfaregiventohercountry。\"
Zoeshuddered。
\"Ah！\"shemurmured，\"Idonotliketothinkofheartlesswomen。
Perhapssheisnotsocruel，afterall。Tomesheseemsonlyvery，verysad。Tellme，Mr。Laverick，whydidshesendforyou？\"
\"Iimagine，\"saidhe，\"thatitwasawhim。Itmusthavebeenawhim。\"
CHAPTERXXI
MADEMOISELLEIDIALE\'SVISIT
Laverick，onthefollowingmorning，foundmanythingstothinkabout。Hewasaccustomedtolunchalwaysatthesamerestaurant，withinafewyardsofhisoffice，andwiththesamelittlecompanyoffriends。Justashewasleaving，anoutsidebrokerwhomheknewslightlycameacrosstheroomtohim。
\"Tellme，Laverick，\"heasked，\"what\'sbecomeofyourpartner？\"
\"Hehasgoneabroadforafewweeks。Asamatteroffact，weshallbeannouncingachangeinthefirmshortly。\"
\"Queerthing，\"thebrokerremarked。\"IwasinLiverpoolyesterday，andIcouldhaveswornthatIsawhimhangingaroundthedocks。I
shouldneverhavedoubtedit，butMorrisonwasalwayssocarefulabouthisappearance，andthisfellowwassuchaseedy-lookingindividual。Icalledouttohimandhevanishedlikeastreak。\"
\"ItcouldscarcelyhavebeenMorrison，\"Lavericksaid。\"HesailedseveraldaysagoforNewYork。\"
\"Thatsettlesit，\"themandeclared，passingon。\"Allthesame，itwasthemostextraordinarylikenessIeversaw。\"
Laverick，onhiswayback，wentintoacableofficeandwroteoutamarconigramtotheLusitania，HaveyoupassengerArthurMorrisononboard？Reply。
Hesignedhisnameandpaidforananswer。Thenhewentbacktohisoffice。
\"Anyonetoseeme？\"heinquired。
\"Mr。Shepherdisherewaiting，\"hisclerktoldhim，-\"queerlookingfellowwhopaidyoutwohundredandfiftypoundsincashforsomerailwaystock。\"
Lavericknodded。
\"I\'llseehim，\"hesaid。\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Aladyrangup-namesoundedlikeaFrenchone，butwecouldnoneofuscatchwhatitwas-tosaythatshewascomingdowntoseeyou。\"
\"IfitisMademoiselleIdiale，\"Laverickdirected，\"Imustseeherdirectlyshearrives。Howareyou，Shepherd？\"headded，noddingtothewaiterashepassedtowardshisroom。\"Comein，willyou？
You\'vegotyourcertificatesallright？\"
Mr。JamesShepherdhadtheairofamanwithwhomprosperityhadnotwhollyagreed。Hewaspalerandpastier-lookingthanever，andhislittlegreeneyesseemedevenmorerestless。Hisattire-alongroughovercoatovertheliveryofhisprofession-scarcelyenhancedthedignityofhisappearance。
\"Well，whatisit？\"Laverickasked，assoonasthedoorwasclosed。
\"Ourbarisbeingwatched，\"themandeclared。\"Idon\'tthinkit\'sanythingtodowiththepolice。Seemstobeasortofforeigngang。
They\'reallroundtheplace，morning，noon，andnight。They\'vepumpedeverybody。\"
\"Thereisn\'tverymuch，\"Laverickremarkedslowly，\"forthemtofindoutexceptfromyou。\"
\"They\'vefoundoutsomething，anyway，\"Shepherdcontinued。\"Myjuniorwaiter，unfortunately，whowasasleepinthesitting-room，toldthemhewassuretherewerecustomersintheplacebetweentenandtwelveonMondaynight，becausetheywokehimuptwice，talking。
They\'rebeginningtolookatmeabitdoubtful。\"
\"Ishouldn\'tworry，\"Laverickadvised。\"Theinquest\'sonnowandyouhaven\'tbeencalled。Idon\'tfancyyou\'rerunninganysortofrisk。Anyonemaysaytheybelievetherewerepeopleinthe，barbetweenthosehours，butthereisn\'tanyonewhocancontradictyououtright。Besides，youhaven\'tsworntoanything。You\'vesimplysaid，asmightbeverypossible，thatyoudon\'trememberanyone。\"
\"Itmakesmeabitnervous，though，\"Shepherdremarkedapologetically。
\"They\'rearegularkeen-lookingtribe，Icantellyou。Theireyesseemtofollowyouallovertheplace。\"
\"Ishallcomeinforadrinkpresentlymyself，\"Laverickdeclared。
\"Ishouldliketoseethem。Imightgetanideaastotheirnationality，atanyrate。\"
\"Verygood，sir。I\'msureI\'mdoingjustasyousuggested。I\'vesaidnothingaboutleaving，butI\'mbeginningtogrumbleabitatthework，soastopavetheway。It\'sahardjob，andnomistake。
Ihadthirty-ninechopsbetweenoneandhalf-past，single-handed，too，withonlyaboytocarrythebreadandthat，andnoonetoservethedrinksunlesstheygotothecounterforthem。It\'smorethanoneman\'swork，Mr。Laverick。\"
Laverickassented。
\"Somuchthebetter，\"hedeclared。\"Allthemoreexcuseforyourleaving。
\"You\'11beroundsometimeto-day，sir，then？\"themanasked，takinguphishat。
\"Ishalllookinforafewmoments，forcertain，\"Laverickanswered。
\"Ifyougetachanceyoumustpointouttomeoneofthosefellows。\"
JimShepherddeparted。Therewasashoutingofnewspaperboysinthestreetoutside。Lavericksentoutforapaper。Theaccountoftheinquestwasbriefenough，andtherewerenowitnessescalledexceptthemenwhohadfoundthedeadbody。Thenatureofthewoundswasexplainedtothejury，alsotheimpossibilityoftheirhavingbeenself-inflicted。Intheabsenceofanypoliceevidenceoranyidentification，thediscussionastothemannerofthedeathwasnaturallylimited。Thejurycontentedthemselvesbybringinginaverdictof\"Wilfulmurderagainstsomepersonorpersonsunknown。\"Lavericklaiddownthepaper。Thecompletionoftheinquestwasatleastthefirstdefinitesteptowardsafety。Thequestionnowbeforehimwaswhattodowiththattwentythousandpounds。Hesatathisdesk，lookingintovacancy。Afterall，hadhepaidtoogreataprice？Themillstonewasgonefromaroundhisneck，somethingnewandincomprehensiblehadcreptintohislife。
Yetforabackgroundtherewasalwaysthissecretknowledge。
AclerkannouncingMademoiselleIdialebrokeinuponhisreflections。
Laverickrosefromhisseattogreethisvisitor。Shewaswonderfullydressed，asusual，yetwiththeutmostsimplicity，-awhitesergegownwithalargeblackhat，butagownthatseemedtohavebeenmouldedontoherslim，faultlessfigure。Shebroughtwithheramusicalrustle，aslightsuggestionofsubtleperfumes-aperfumesothinandetherealthatitwasunrecognizableexceptinitsfaintsuggestionofhothouseflowers。SheheldoutherhandtoLaverick，whoplacedforheratonceaneasy-chair。
\"Thisisindeedanhonor，Mademoiselle。\"
Sheinclinedherheadgraciously。
\"Youareverykind，\"saidshe。\"Iknowthathereinthecityyouareverybusymakingmoneyallthetime，soImustnotstaylong。
Willyoubuymesomestocks，-somegoodsafestocks，whichwillbringmeinatleastfourpercent？\"
\"Icanpromisetodothat，\"Laverickanswered。\"Haveyouanychoice？\"
\"No，Ihavenochoice，\"Louisetoldhim。\"Ibringwithmeacheque，-see，Igiveittoyou，-itisforsixthousandpounds。Iwouldliketobuysomestockswiththis，andtoknowthenamessothatI
maywatchtheminthepaper。Iliketoseewhethertheygoupordown，butIdonotwishtorisktheirgoingdowntoomuch。Itissomethinglikegamblingbutitisnotrouble。\"
\"Yourmoneyshallbespentinafewminutes，Mademoiselle，\"Laverickassuredher，\"andIthinkIcanpromiseyouthatforaweekortwo，atanyrate，yourstockswillgoup。Withregardtoselling-\"
\"Ileaveeverythingtoyou，\"sheinterrupted，\"onlyletmeknowwhatyoupropose。\"
\"Wewilldoourbest，\"Laverickpromised。
\"Itisgood，\"shesaid。\"Moneyisawonderfulthing。Withoutitonecandolittle。Youhavenotforgotten，Mr。Laverick，thatyouweregoingtoshowmethispassage？\"
\"Certainlynot。Comewithmenow，ifyouwill。Itisonlyayardortwoaway。\"
Hetookheroutintothestreet。Everyclerkintheofficeforgothismannersandcranedhisneck。Outside，Mademoiselleletfallherveilandpassedunrecognized。Laverickshowedhertheentry。
\"Itwasjustthere，\"heexplained，\"abouthalfadozenyardsupontheleft，thatthebodywasfound。\"
Shelookedattheplacesteadily。Thenshelookedalongthepassage。
\"Wheredoesitleadto-that？\"sheasked。
\"ComeandIwillshowyou。Ontheleft\"-astheypassedalongtheflaggedpavement-\"isSt。NicholasChurchandchurchyard。Ontherightheretherearejustoffices。ThestreetinfrontofusisHenschellStreet。Allofthosebuildingsarestockbrokers\'offices。\"
\"Anddirectlyopposite，\"sheasked，-\"thatisacaf？isitnot，-arestaurant，asyouwouldcallit？\"
Lavericknodded。
\"Thatisso，\"heagreed。\"Onegoesintheresometimesforadrink。\"
\"Andameetingplace，perhaps？\"sheinquired。\"Itwouldprobablybeameetingplace。Onemightleavethereandwalkdownthispassagenaturallyenough。\"
Laverickinclinedhishead。
\"Asamatteroffact，\"hedeclared，\"Ithinkthattheevidencewenttoprovethattherewerenovisitorsintherestaurantthatnight。
Yousee，alltheseofficesroundherecloseatsixorseveno\'clock，andthewholeneighborhoodbecomesdeserted。\"
Sheshruggedhershouldersimpatiently。
\"YourEnglishpolice，theydonotknowhowtocollectevidence。InthehandsofFrenchmen，thismysterywouldhavebeensolvedlongbeforenow。Theguiltypersonwouldbeinthehandsofthelaw。
Asitis，Isupposethathewillgofree。\"
\"Well，wemustgivethepoliceachance，atanyrate，\"answeredLaverick。\"Theyhaven\'thadmuchtimesofar。\"
\"No，\"sheadmitted，\"theyhavenothadmuchtime。Iwonder-\"Shehesitatedforamomentanddidnotconcludehersentence。\"Come，\"
sheexclaimed，withalittleshiver，\"letusgobacktoyouroffice！
Thisplaceisnotcheerful。AllthetimeIthinkofthatpoorman。
Itdoesmakemefrightened。\"
Laverickescortedhisvisitorbacktotheelectricbroughamwhichwaswaitingbeforehisdoor。
\"Alistofstockspurchasedonyourbehalfwillreachyoubyto-night\'spost，\"hepromisedher。\"Weshalldoourbestinyourinterests。\"
Heheldouthishand，butsheseemedinnohurrytolethimgo。
\"Youareverykind，Mr。Laverick。Iwouldliketoseeyouagainverysoon。YouhaveheardmesinginSamsonandDelilah？\"
\"Notyet，butIamhopingtoveryshortly。\"
\"To-night，\"shedeclared，\"youmustcometotheOperaHouse。I
leaveaboxforyouatthedoor。Sendmeroundanotethatyouarethere，anditispossiblethatImayseeyou。Itisagainsttherules，butformetherearenorules。\"
Laverickhesitating，sheleanedforwardandlookedintohisface。
\"Youaredoingsomethingelse？\"sheprotested。\"Youwere，perhaps，thinkingoftakingoutagainthelittlegirlwithwhomyouweresittinglastnight？\"
\"Ihadhalfpromised-\"
\"No，no！\"sheexclaimed，holdinghishandtighter。\"Sheisnotforyou-thatchild。Sheistooyoung。Sheknowsnothing。Bettertoleaveheralone。Sheisnotforamanoftheworldlikeyou。Soonshewouldceasetoamuseyou。Youwouldbedullandshewouldstillcare。Oh，thereissomuchtragedyinthesethings，Mr。Laverick-somuchtragedyforthewoman！Itisshealwayswhosuffers。Youwilltakemyadvice。Youwillleavethatlittlegirlalone。\"
Lavericksmiled。
\"Iamafraid，\"saidhe，\"thatIcannotpromisethatsoquickly。Yousee，Ihavenotknownherlong，butshehasveryfewfriendsandI
thinkthatshewouldmissme。Perhaps，\"headded，afterasecond\'spause，\"Icareforhertoomuch。\"
\"Itisnotforyou，\"sheansweredscornfully，\"tocaretoomuch。
AnEnglishman，hecaresneverenough。Awomantohimissomethingamusing，-hiscompanionforalittleofhissparetime，somethingtobepleasedabout，toshowofftohisfriends，-toshare，even，thepassionofthemoment。ButanEnglishmanhedoesnotcaretoomuch。Henevercaresenough。Hedoesnotknowwhatitistocareenough。\"
\"Mademoiselle，theremaybetruthinwhatyousay，andagaintheremaynot。Wehavethename，Iknow，ofbeingcoldlovers，butatleastwearefaithful。\"
Sheheldupherhandwithalittlegrimace。
\"Oh，howIdohatethatword！\"sheexclaimed。\"Whoisthere，indeed，whowishesthatyouwouldbefaithful？Howmuchwepoorwomendosufferfromthat！Whycanyouneverunderstandthatawomanwouldbecaredforvery，verymuch，withallthestrengthandallthepassionyoucanconceive，butletitnotlastfortoolong。Itgetsweary。Itgetsstale。Itisasyousay，-theEnglishmanhecaresverylittle，perhaps，buthecaresalways；andthewoman，ifshebeanartisteandawoman，shetires。Butgoodafternoon，Mr。Laverick！
Imustnotkeepyouhereonthepavementtalkingofthesefrivolousmatters。Youcometo-night？\"
\"Youareverykind，\"Lavericksaid。\"IfImaycomeuntileleveno\'clock，itwouldgivemethegreatestpleasure。\"
\"Asyouwill，\"shedeclared。\"Weshallsee。Iexpectyou，then。
Youaskforyourbox。\"
\"Ifyouwishit，certainly。\"
Shesmiledandwavedherhand。
\"Youwilltellhim，please，\"shedirected，\"todrivetoBondStreet。\"
Laverickre-enteredhisoffice，pausingforaminutetogivehisclerkinstructionsforthepurchaseofstocksforMademoiselleIdiale。HehadscarcelyreachedhisownroomwhenhewastoldthatMr。JamesShepherdwishedtospeaktohimforamomentuponthetelephone。Hetookupthereceiver。
\"Whoisit？\"heasked。
\"ItisShepherd，\"wastheanswer。\"IsthatMr。Laverick？\"
\"Yes！\"
\"Youwereoutsidetherestauranthereafewminutesago，\"Shepherdcontinued。\"Youhadwithyoualady-ayoung，tallladywithaveil。\"
\"That\'sright，\"Laverickadmitted。\"Whatabouther？\"
\"Oneofthetwomenwhowatchalwaysherewasreadingthepaperinthewindow，\"Shepherdwentonhoarsely。\"HesawherwithyouandIheardhimmuttersomethingasthoughhehadreceivedashock。Hedroppedhisglassandhispaper。Hewatchedyoueverysecondofthetimeyouwerethereuntilyouhaddisappeared。Thenhe，too，putonhishatandwentout。\"
\"Anythingelse？\"
\"Nothingelse，\"wasthereply。\"Ithoughtyoumightliketoknowthis，sir。Themanrecognizedtheladyrightenough。\"
\"Itseemsqueer，\"Laverickadmitted。\"Thankyouforringingmeup，Shepherd。Goodmorning！\"
Laverickleanedbackinhischair。TherewasnodoubtwhatevernowinhismindbutthatMademoiselleIdiale，forsomereasonorother，wasinterestedinthiscrime。Herwishtoseetheplace，herintroductiontohimlastnightandherpurchaseofstocks，wereallpartofascheme。Hewassuddenlyandabsolutelyconvincedofit。
Asfriendorfoe，shewasverycertainlyabouttotakeherplaceamongstthefewpeopleoverwhomthistragedyloomed。
CHAPTERXXII
ACTIVITYOFAUSTRIANSPIES
LouiseleftherbroughaminPiccadillyandwalkedacrosstheGreenPark。Bellamy，whowaswaiting，roseupfromaseat，hatinhand。
Shetookhisarminforeignfashion。TheywalkedtogethertowardsBuckinghamPalace-astrangelydistinguished-lookingcouple。
\"MydearDavid，\"shesaid，\"themanperplexesme。Tolookathim，tohearhimspeak，onewouldswearthathewashonest。Hehasjustthoseclearblueeyesandthestolidface，halfstupidandhalfsplendid，ofyourathleticEnglishman。Onewouldimaginehimdoingafoolishlyhonorablething，butheisnotmyconceptionofacriminalatall。\"
Bellamykickedapebblefromthepath。Hisforeheadworeaperplexedfrown。
\"Hedidn\'tgivehimselfaway，then？\"
\"Notintheleast。\"
\"Hetookyououtandshowedyouthespotwhereithappened？\"
\"Withoutaninstant\'shesitation。\"
\"Asamatterofcuriosity，\"askedBellamy，\"didhetrytomakelovetoyou？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"Ievengavehimanopening，\"shesaid。\"OfflirtationhehasnomoreideathantheaveragestupidEnglishmanonemeets。\"
Bellamywassilentforseveralmoments。
\"Ican\'tbelieve，\"hesaid，\"thatthereistheleastdoubtbutthathehasthemoneyandtheportfolio。Ihavemadeoneortwootherinquiries，andIfindthathisfirmwasinverylowwaterindeedonlyaweekago。Theywerespokenof，infact，asbeinghopelesslyinsolvent。Noonecanimaginehowtheytidedoverthecrisis。\"
\"Themanwhowaswatchingforyou？\"sheinquired。
\"Hemakesnomistakes，\"Bellamyassuredher。\"HesawLaverickenterthatpassageandcomeout。Afterwardshewentbacktohisoffice，althoughhehadclosedupthereandhadbeenonhishomewardway。
Thethingcouldnothavebeenaccidental。\"
\"Whydoyounotgotohimopenly？\"shesuggested。\"Heis，afterall，anEnglishman，andwhenyoutellhimwhatyouknowhewillbeverymuchinyourpower。Tellhimofthevalueofthatdocument。
Tellhimthatyoumusthaveit。\"
\"Itcouldbedone，\"Bellamyadmitted。\"Ithinkthatoneofusmusttalkplainlytohim。Listen，Louise，-areyouseeinghimagain？\"
\"IhaveinvitedhimtocometotheOperaHouseto-night。\"
\"Seewhatyoucando，\"hebegged。\"Iwouldratherkeepawayfromhimmyself，ifIcan。HaveyouheardanythingofStreuss？\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
\"Nothingdirectly，\"shereplied，\"butmyroomshavebeensearched-evenmydressing-roomattheOperaHouse。Thatman\'sspiesaresimplywonderful。Heseemsabletoplantthemeverywhere。And，David！-\"
\"Yes，dear？\"
\"HehasgotholdofLassen，\"shecontinued。\"Iamperfectlycertainofit。\"
ThenthesooneryougetridofLassen，thebetter，\"Bellamydeclared。
\"Itissodifficult，\"shemurmured，inaperplexedtone。\"Themanhasallmyaffairsinhishands。Uptillnow，althoughheisuncomely，andabruteinmanyways，hehasservedmewell。\"
\"IfheisStreuss\'screaturehemustgo，\"Bellamyinsisted。
Shenodded。
\"Letussitdownforafewminutes，\"shesaid。\"Iamtired。\"
ShesankontoaseatandBellamysatbyherside。InfullviewofthemwasBuckinghamPalacewithitsflagflying。ShelookedthoughtfullyatitandacrosstoWestminster。
\"Dotheyknow，Iwonder，yourcountry-people？\"sheasked。
\"Half-a-dozenofthem，perhaps，\"heansweredgloomily，nomore。
\"To-day，\"shedeclared，\"Iseemtohavelostconfidence。Iseemtofeelthesenseofimpendingcalamity，tohearthegunsasIwalk，toseetheterrorfalluponthefacesofallthesegreatcrowdswhothrongyourstreets。Theyareastolid，unbelievingpeople-these。
Theblow，whenitcomes，willbetheharder。\"
Bellamysighed。