\"Youareright，\"hesaid。\"Whenonecomestothinkofit，itisamazing。Howlongtheprophetsofwoehavepreached，andhowcompletelytheirteachingshavebeenignored！Theinvasionbogeyhasbeensolongamongusthatithasbecomenothingbutajest。
EvenI，inaway，amoneoftheunbelievers。\"
\"Youarenotserious，David！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Iam，\"heaffirmed。\"IthinkthatifwecouldreadthatdocumentweshouldseethatthereisnoplantherefortheimmediateinvasionofEngland。IthinkyouwouldfindthattheblowwouldbestrucksimultaneouslyatourColonies。Weshouldeitherhavetosubmitorsendaconsiderablefleetawayfromhomewaters。Then，Ipresume，thequestionofinvasionwouldcomeagain。Allthetime，ofcourse，thegagewouldbeflungdown，treatieswouldbedefied，weshouldbescornedasthoughwewereanationofweaklings。Austriawouldgatherinwhatshewanted，andtherewouldbenoonetointerfere。\"
Louisewasverypalebuthereyeswereflashingfire。
\"Itisthemostterriblethingwhichhashappenedinhistory，\"shesaid，\"thisdecadenceofyourcountry。OnceEnglandheldthescalesofjusticefortheworld。Nowsheisnolongerstrongenough，andthereisnonetotakeherplace。David，evenifyouknowwhatthatdocumentcontains，eventhenwillithelpverymuch？\"
\"Verymuchindeed。Don\'tyouseethatthereisonehopelefttous-onehope-andthatisRussia？TheCzarmustbemadetowithdrawfromthatcompact。Wewanttoknowhisshareinit。Whenweknowthat，therewillbeasecretmissionsenttoRussia。GermanyandAustriaarestrong，buttheyarenotalltheworld。WithRussiabehindandFranceandEnglandwestward，thestruggleisatleastanequalone。Theyhavetofacebothdirections，theyhavetofacetwogreatarmiesworkingfromtheeastandfromthewest。\"
Shenodded，andtheysatthereinsilenceforseveralmoments。
Bellamywasthinkingdeeply。
\"Yousay，Louise，\"heasked，lookingupquickly，\"thatyourroomshavebeensearched。Whenwasthis？\"
\"Onlylastnight，\"shereplied。
Bellamydrewalittlesighofrelief。
\"Atanyrate，\"hesaid，\"Streusshasnoideathatthedocumentisnotinourpossession。HeknowsnothingaboutLaverick。Howarewegoingtodealwithhim，Louise，whenhecomesforhisanswer？\"
\"Youhaveaplan？\"sheasked。
\"Thereisonlyonethingtobedone，\"Bellamydeclared。\"IshallsaythatwehavealreadyhandedoverthedocumenttotheEnglishGovernment。Itwillbeabluff，pureandsimple。Hemaybelieveitorhemaynot。\"
\"Youwillbreakyourcompactthen，\"sheremindedhim。
\"Ishallcallmyselfjustified，\"hecontinued。\"Hehasattemptedtorobusofthedocument。Youaresureofwhatyousay-thatyourroomsanddressing-roomhavebeensearched？\"
\"Absolutelycertain，\"shedeclared。
\"Thatwillbesufficient，\"Bellamydecided。\"IfStreusscomestome，Ishallmeethimfrankly。Ishalltellhimthathehastriedtoplaytheburglarandthatitmustbewar。IshalltellhimthatthecompactisinthehandsofthePrimeMinister，andthatheandhisspieshadbetterclearout。\"
Shelookedathimquestioningly。
\"Ofcourse，youunderstand，\"headded，\"thereisonethingwecando，andonethingonly。WemustsendamissiontoRussiaandanothertoFrance，andbeforetheGermanfleetcanpassdowntheNorthSeawemustdeclarewar。Itistheonlythinglefttous-aboldfront。
Withoutthatpacketwehavenocasusbelli。Withit，wecanstrike，andstrikehard。Istillbelievethatifwedeclarewarwithinsevendays，weshallsaveourselves。\"
StreussandKahnlooked，too，acrossthepanoramaofLondon，acrossthedingyAdelphiGardens，theturbidThames，thesmoke-hungworldbeyond。TheyweretogetherinStreuss\'ssitting-roomontheseventhfloorofoneofthegreatStrandhotels。
\"Ourenterpriseisafailure！\"Kahnexclaimedgloomily。\"Wecannotdoubtitanylonger。Ithink，Streuss，thatthebestcourseyouandIcouldadoptwouldbetorealizeitandtogetback。Wedonogoodhere。Weonlyrunneedlessrisks。\"
Thefaceoftheothermanwasdarkwithanger。Histone，whenhespoke，shookwithpassion。
\"Youdon\'tknowwhatyousay，Kahn！\"hecriedhoarsely。\"Itellyouthatwemustsucceed。Ifthatdocumentreachesthehandsofanyoneinauthorityhere，itwouldbetheworstdisasterwhichhasfallenuponourcountrysinceyouorIwereborn。Youdon\'tunderstand，Kahn！Youkeepyoureyesclosed！\"
\"Whatmencandowehavedone，\"theotheranswered。\"VonBehrlingplayedusfalse。Hehasdiedatraitor\'sdeath，butitisverycertainthathepartedwithhisdocumentbeforehereceivedthattwentythousandpounds。\"
\"Onceandforall，Idonotbelieveit！\"Streussdeclared。\"Atmid-day，IcansweartoitthatthecontentsofthatenvelopewereunknowntotheMinistersoftheKinghere。NowifVonBehrlinghadpartedwiththatdocumentlastMondaynight，don\'tyousupposethateverythingwouldbeknownbynow？Hedidnotpartwithit。
BellamyandMademoiselleliewhentheysaythattheypossessit。
ThatdocumentremainsinthepossessionofVonBehrling\'smurderer，anditisforustofindhim。\"
Kahnsighed。
\"Itisoutsideoursphere-that。Whatcanwedoagainstthepoliceofthiscountryworkingintheirownland？\"
Streussstruckthetablebeforewhichtheywerestanding。Theveinsinhistempleswerelikewhipcord。
\"Adolf，\"hemuttered，\"youtalklikeafool！Can\'tyouseewhatitmeans？Ifthatdocumentreachesitsdestination，whatdoyousupposewillhappen？\"
\"Theywillknowourplans，ofcourse，\"Kahnanswered。\"Theywillhavetimetomakepreparation。\"
Streusslaughedbitterly。
\"Worsethanthat！\"heexclaimed。\"Theyarenotallfools，theseEnglishstatesmen，thoughonewouldthinksotoreadtheirspeeches。
Can\'tyouseewhattheresultwouldbeifthatdocumentreachesDowningStreet？Waratamoment\'snotice，warsixmonthstoosoon！
Don\'tyouknowthateveryshipbuildingyardinGermanyisworkingnightandday？Don\'tyouknowthateverynerveisbeingstrained，thatthemusclesofthecountryarehammeringtherivetsintoournewbattleships？Thereisbutonechanceforthiscountry，andifherstatesmenreadthatdocumenttheywillknowwhatitis。ItisopentothemtodestroytheGermannavyutterly，torenderthemselvessecureagainstattack。\"
\"Theywouldneverhavethecourage，\"Kahndeclared。\"Theymightmakeashowofdefendingthemselvesiftheywereattacked，buttotaketheinitiative-no！Idonotbelieveit。\"
\"Thereisonemanwhohaswitenoughtodoit，\"Streusssaid。\"HemaynotbeintheCabinet，buthecommandsit。Kahn，wakeup，man！
YouandItogetherhaveneverknownwhatfailuremeans。Itellyouthatthatdocumentisstilltobeboughtorfoughtfor，andwemustfindit。ThismorningMademoiselledroveintothecityandcalledattheofficesofastockbrokerwithinadozenyardsofCrookedFriars\'Alley。Shewastherealongtime。Thestockbrokerhimselfcameoutwithherintothestreet，tookhertoseetheentry，stoodwithherthereandreturned。Whatwasherinterestinhim，Kahn？
HisnameisLaverick。Fourdaysagohewasonthebrinkofruin。
Totheamazementofeveryone，hemetallhisengagements。WhydidMademoisellegotothecitytoseehim？HewasathisofficelatethatTuesdaynight。Hehadapartnerwhohasdisappeared。\"
Kahnlookedathiscompanionwithadmiration。
\"Youhavefoundallthisout！\"heexclaimed。
\"Andmore，\"Streussdeclared。\"Fortwenty-fourhours，thismanLaverickhasnotmovedwithoutmyspiesathisheels。\"
\"Whynotapproachhimboldly？\"Kahnsuggested。\"Ifhehasthedocument，letusoutbidMademoiselleLouise，anddoitquickly。\"
Streussshookhishead。
\"Youdon\'tknowtheman。HeisanEnglishman，andifhehadanyideawhatthatdocumentcontained，ourchancesofbuyingitwouldbesmallindeed。ThisiswhatIthinkwillhappen。Mademoisellewilltrytoobtainit，andtryinvain。ThenBellamywilltellhimthetruth，andhewillpartwithitwillingly。Inthemeantime，I
believethatitisinhispossession。
\"Theevidenceisslenderenough，\"objectedKahn。
\"Whatifitis！\"Streussexclaimed。\"Ifitisonlyahundredtoonechance，wehavetotakeit。Ihavenofancyfordisgrace，Adolf，andIknowverywellwhatwillhappenifwegobackempty-handed。\"
Thetelephonebellrang。Streusstookoffthereceiverandheldittohisear。Thewordswhichhespokewerefew，butwhenhelaidtheinstrumentdowntherewasacertainamountofsatisfactioninhisface。
\"Atanyrate，\"heannounced，\"thismanLaverickdidnotpartwiththedocumentto-day。MademoiselleLouiseandBellamyhavebeensittingintheParkforanhour。Whentheyseparated，shedrovehomeanddroppedhimathisclub。Uptillnow，then，theyhavenotthedocument。WeshallseewhatMr。Laverickdoeswhenheleavesbusinessthisevening；ifhegoesstraighthome，eitherthedocumenthasneverbeeninhispossession，orelseitisinthesafeinhisoffice；ifhegoestoMademoiselleIdiale\'s-\"
\"Well？\"Kahnaskedeagerly。
\"IfhegoestoMademoiselleIdiale\'s，\"Streussrepeatedslowly，\"thereisstillachanceforus！\"
CHAPTERXXIII
LAVERICKATTHEOPERA
Laverick，inpresentinghiscardattheboxofficeatCoventGardenthatevening，didsowithouttheslightestmisconceptionofthereasonswhichhadpromptedMademoiselleIdialetobeghimtobecomeherguest。Itwassheercuriositywhichpromptedhimtopursuethisadventure。Hewasperfectlyconvincedthatpersonallyhehadnointerestforher。Insomewayorotherhehadbecomeconnectedinhermindwiththemurderwhichhadtakenplacewithinafewyardsofhisoffice，andinsomeotherequallymysteriousmannerthatmurderhadbecomeasubjectofinteresttoher。Eitherthat，orthiswasoneofthewhimsofaspoiledandpleasure-surfeitedwoman。
Hefoundanexcellentboxreservedforhim，andameasureofcourtesyfromtheattendantsnotoftenvouchsafedtoanordinaryvisitor。TheoperawasSamsonandDelilah，andevenbeforeherwonderfulvoicethrilledthehouse，itseemedtoLaverickthatnopersonmorelovelythanthewomanhehadcometoseehadevermoveduponanystage。Itappearedimpossiblethatmovementsogracefulandpassionateshouldremainsoabsolutelyeffortless。Thereseemedtobesomestrangepowerinsidethewoman。Surelyherwillguidedherfeet！Thenecessityforphysicaleffortneveronceappeared。Notwithstandingtheslightprejudicewhichhehadfeltagainsther，itwasimpossibletokeephisadmirationaltogetherincheck。Thefascinationofherwonderfulpresence，andthenhergloriousvoice，movedhimwiththerestoftheaudience。Heclappedastheothersdidattheendofthefirstact，andheleanedforwardjustaseagerlytocatchaglimpseofherwhenshereappearedandstoodtherewiththatmarveloussmileuponherlips，acceptingwithfaint，deprecatinggratitudethehomageofthepackedhouse。
Justbeforethecurtainroseuponthesecondact，therewasaknockathisboxdoor。Oneoftheattendantsusheredinashortmanofsomewhatremarkablepersonality。Hewasbarelyfivefeetinheight，andanextremelyfatneckandacorpulentbodygavehimalmosttheappearanceofahunchback。Hehadblack，beadyeyes，ablackmoustachefiercelyturnedup，andsallowskin。HiswhitegloveshadcuriousstitchingsonthebacknotcommoninEngland，andhissilkhat，exceedinglyglossy，hadwiderbrimsthanareusuallyassociatedwithBondStreet。
Laverickhalfrose，butthelittlemanspreadoutonehandandcommencedtospeak。Hisaccentwasforeign，but，ifnotanEnglishman，heatanyratespokethelanguagewithconfidence。
\"Mydearsir，\"hebegan，\"Ioweyoumanyapologies。ItwasMademoiselleIdiale\'swishthatIshouldmakeyouracquaintance。
MynameisLassen。IhavethefortunetobeMademoiselle\'sbusinessmanager。
\"Iamverygladtomeetyou，Mr。Lassen，\"saidLaverick。\"Willyousitdown？\"
Mr。Lassenthereuponhunghishatuponapeg，removedhisovercoat，straightenedhiswhitetiewiththeaidofalooking-glass，brushedbackhisglossyblackhairwiththepalmsofhishands，andtooktheseatoppositeLaverick。Hisfirstquestionwasinevitable。
\"Whatdoyouthinkoftheopera，sir？\"
\"ItislikeMademoiselleIdialeherself，\"Laverickanswered。\"Itisabovecriticism。\"
\"Sheis，\"Mr。Lassensaidfirmly，\"theloveliestwomaninEuropeandhervoiceisthemostwonderful。Itisagreatcombination，this。Imyselfhavemanagedformanystars，IhavebroughttoEnglandmostofthosewhosenamesareknownduringthelasttenyears；buttherehasneverbeenanotherLouiseIdiale，-neverwillbe。\"
Icanbelieveit，\"Laverickadmitted。
Shehaswonderfulqualities，too，\"continuedMr。Lassen。\"Youracquaintancewithher，Ibelieve，sir，isoftheshortest。\"
\"Thatisso，\"Laverickanswered，alittlecoldly。Hewasnotparticularlytakenwithhisvisitor。
\"Mademoisellehasspokentomeofyou，\"thelatterproceeded。
\"ShedesiredthatIshouldpaymyrespectsduringtheperformance。\"
\"Itisverykindofyou，\"Laverickanswered。\"Asamatteroffact，itisexceedinglykind，also，ofMademoiselleIdialetoinsistuponmycominghereto-night。Shedidmethehonor，asyoumayknow，ofpayingmeavisitinthecitythismorning。\"
\"Soshedidtellme，\"Mr。Lassendeclared。\"Mademoiselleisagreatwomanofbusiness。Mostofherinvestmentsshecontrolsherself。Shehaswhims，however，anditneverdoestocontradicther。Shehasalso，curiouslyenough，apreferenceforthemenofaffairs。\"
LaverickhadreachedthatstagewhenhefeltindisposedtodiscussMademoiselleanylongerwithastranger，eventhoughthatstrangershouldbehermanager。Henoddedandtookuphisprogramme。Ashedidso，thecurtainrangupuponthenextact。Laverickturneddeliberatelytowardsthestage。Thelittlemanhadpaidhisrespects，asheputit。Laverickfeltdisinclinedforfurtherconversationwithhim。Yet，thoughhisheadwasturned，heknewverywellthathiscompanion\'seyeswerefixeduponhim。Hehadanuncomfortablesensethathewasanobjectofmorethanordinaryinteresttothisvisitor，thathehadcomeforsomespecificobjectwhichasyethehadnotdeclared。
\"YouwillliketogoroundandseeMademoiselle，\"thelatterremarked，sometimeafterwards。
Laverickshookhishead。
\"Ishallfindanotheropportunity，Ihope，tocongratulateher。\"
\"But，mydearsir，sheexpectstoseeyou，\"Mr。Lassenprotested。
\"Youarehereatherinvitation。Itisusual，Icanassureyou。\"
\"MademoiselleIdialewillperhapsexcuseme，\"Lavericksaid。\"I
haveanengagementimmediatelyaftertheperformanceisover。\"
HiscompanionmutteredsomethingwhichLaverickcouldnotcatch，andmadesomeexcusetoleavetheboxafewminuteslater。Whenhereturned，hecarriedalittle，notewhichhepresentedtoLaverickwithanairoftriumph。
\"ItisasIsaid！\"heexclaimed。\"Mademoiselleexpectsyou。\"
Laverickreadthefewlineswhichshehadwritten。
Iwishtoseeyouaftertheperformance。Ifyoucannotcomeroundorescortmeyourself，willyoucomelatertotherestaurantofLuigi，where，asalways，Ishallsup。Donotfail。
LouiseIdiale。
Laverickplacedthenoteinhiswaistcoatpocketwithoutimmediateremark。Lateronheturnedtohiscompanion。
\"WillyoutellMademoiselleIdiale，\"hesaid，\"thatIwilldomyselfthehonorofcomingtoheratLuigi\'srestaurant。IhaveanengagementaftertheperformancewhichImustkeep。\"
\"Youwillcertainlycome？\"Lassenaskedanxiously。
\"Withoutadoubt，\"Laverickpromised。
Mr。Lassentookuphishat……
\"IwillgoandtellMademoiselle。Forsomereasonorothersheseemedparticularlydesirousofseeingyouthisevening。Shehasherwhims，andthosewhohavemosttodowithher，likemyself，finditwelltokeepthemgratified。IfIdonotseeyouagain，sir，permitmetowishyougoodevening。\"
Hedisappearedwithseveralbowsofhispudgylittleperson，andLaverickwasleftwithanotherpuzzletosolve。Hewasnotintheleastconceited，andhedidnotforamomentmisinterpretthiswoman\'sinterestinhim。Herinvitation，heknewverywell，wasonewhichhalfLondonwouldhavecoveted。Yetitmeantnothingpersonal，hewassureofthat。Itsimplymeantthatforsomemysteriousreason，thesamereasonwhichhadpromptedhertovisithiminthecityhewasofinteresttoher。
AtafewminutesbeforeelevenLavericklefttheplaceanddrovetothestage-dooroftheUniversalTheatre。Zoecameoutamongthefirstandpauseduponthethreshold，lookingupanddownthestreeteagerly。Whensherecognizedhim，hersmilewasheavenly。
\"Oh，howniceofyou！\"sheexclaimed，steppingatonceintohistaxicab。\"Youdon\'tknowhowdifferentitfeelstohopethatthereissomeonewaitingforyouandthentofindyourhopecometrue。
To-nightIwasnotsure。Youhadsaidnothingaboutit，andyetI
couldnothelpbelievingthatyouwouldbehere。\"
\"Iwashoping，\"hesaid，\"thatwemighthaveanothersuppertogether。
Unfortunately，Ihaveanengagement。\"
\"Anengagement？\"sherepeated，herfacefalling。
Lavericklovedthetruthandheseldomhesitatedtotellit。
\"Itisratheranoddthing，\"hedeclared。\"YourememberthatwomanatLuigi\'slastnight-MademoiselleIdiale？\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Shecametomyofficeto-dayandgavemesixthousandpoundstoinvestforher。Shemademetakeheroutandshowherwherethemurderwascommitted，andaskedagreatmanyquestionsaboutit。
ThensheinsistedthatIshouldgoandhearhersingthisevening，andIfindthatIwasexpectedtotakeherontosupperafterwards。
Iexcusedmyselfforalittlewhile，butIhavepromisedtogotoLuigi\'s，whereshewillbe。\"
Thegirlwassilentforamoment。
\"Wherearewegoingnow，then？\"sheasked。
\"Whereveryoulike。Icantakeyouhomefirst，orIcanleaveyouanywhere。\"
Shelookedathimwithapiteouslittlesmile。
\"Thelasttwonightsyouhavespoiledme，\"shesaid。\"IhavesomanyevilthoughtsandIamafraidtogohome。\"
\"Iamsorry。IfIcouldthinkofanythingoranywhere-\"
\"No，youmusttakemehome，please，\"saidshe。\"Itwasselfishofme。OnlyMademoiselleIdialeissuchawonderfulperson。Doyouthinkthatshewillwantyoueverynight？\"
\"Ofcoursenot，\"helaughed。\"Come，Iwillmakeanengagementwithyou。Wewillhavesuppertogetherto-morrowevening。\"
Shebrightenedupatonce。
\"Iwonder，\"sheaskedtimidly，afewminutesafterwards，\"haveyouheardanythingfromArthur？HepromisedtosendatelegramfromQueenstown。\"
Laverickshookhishead。Hesaidnothingaboutthemarconigramhehadsent，ortheanswerwhichhehadreceivedinforminghimthattherewasnosuchpersononboard。Itseemedscarcelyworthwhiletoworryher。
\"Ihaveheardnothing，\"hereplied。\"Ofcourse，hemustbehalf-waytoAmericabynow。\"
\"Therehavebeennomoreinquiriesabouthim？\"sheasked。
\"Nomorethantheusualonesfromhisfriends，andafewcreditors。
ThelatterIampayingastheycome。Butthereisonethingyououghttodowithme。Ithinkweoughttogotohisroomsandlockuphispapersandletters。Heneverevenwentback，youknow，afterthatnight。\"
Shenoddedthoughtfully。
\"Whenwouldyouliketodothis？\"
\"IamsobusyjustnowthatIamafraidIcansparenotimeuntilMondayafternoon。Wouldyougowithmethen？\"
\"Ofcourse……Mytimeismyown。Wehavenomatinee，andIhavenothingtodoexceptintheevening。\"
Theyhadreachedherhome。Itlookedverydarkandveryuninviting。
Sheshiveredasshetookherlatchkeyfromthebagwhichshewascarrying。
\"Comeinwithme，please，whileIlightthegas，\"shebegged。\"Itlookssodreary，doesn\'tit？\"
\"Yououghttohavesomeonewithyou，\"hedeclared，\"especiallyinapartlikethis。\"
\"Oh，Iamnotreallyafraid，\"sheanswered。\"Iamonlylonely。\"
Hestoodinthepassagewhileshefeltforaboxofmatchesandlitthegasjet。Intheparlortherewasabowlofmilkstandingwaitingforher，andsomebread。
\"Thankyousomuch，\"shesaid。\"NowIamgoingtomakeupthefireandreadforashorttime。Ihopethatyouwillenjoyyoursupper-well，moderately，\"sheadded，withalittlelaugh。
\"Icanpromiseyou，\"heanswered，\"thatIshallenjoyitnomorethanlastnight\'sorto-morrownight\'s。\"
Shesighed。
\"Poorlittleme！\"sheexclaimed。\"ItisnotfairtohavetocompetewithMademoiselleIdiale。Goodnight！\"
Somethinghesawinhereyesmovedhimstrangelyasheturnedaway。
\"Wouldyoulikeme，\"heaskedhesitatingly，\"supposingIgetawayearly-wouldyoulikemetocomeinandsaygoodnighttoyoulateron？\"
Herfacewassuddenlyflushedwithjoy。
\"Oh，do！\"shebegged。\"Do！\"
Heturnedawaywithasmile。
\"Verywell，\"hesaid。\"Don\'tshutupjustyetandIwilltry。\"
\"Ishallstayhereuntilthreeo\'clock，\"shedeclared，-\"untilfour，even。Youmustcome。Remember，youmustcome。See。\"
Sheheldouttohimherkey。
\"Icanknockatthedoor，\"heprotested。\"Youwouldhearme。\"
\"ButImightfallasleep，\"sheanswered。\"Iamafraid。Ifyouhavethekey，Iamsurethatyouwillcome。\"
Heputitinhiswaistcoatpocketwithalaugh。
\"Verywell，\"hesaid，\"ifitisonlyforfiveminutes，Iwillcome。\"
CHAPTERXXIV
ASUPPERPARTYATLUIGI\'S
LaverickwalkedintoLuigi\'sRestaurantataboutaquartertotwelve，andfoundtheplacecrowdedwithmanylittlesupper-partiesontheirwaytoafancydressball。Thedemandfortableswasfarinexcessofthesupply，buthehadscarcelyshownhimselfbeforetheheadmaitred\'hotelcamehurryingup。
\"MademoiselleIdialeiswaitingforyou，sir，\"heannouncedatonce。
\"Willyoubesogoodastocomethisway？\"
Laverickfollowedhim。Shewassittingatthesametableaslastnight，butshewasalone，anditwaslaid，henoticedwithsurprise，onlyfortwo。
\"Youhavetreatedme，\"shesaid，assheheldoutherfingers，\"toanewsensation。Ihavewaitedforyoualonehereforaquarterofanhour-I！Suchathinghasneverhappenedtomebefore。\"
\"Youdometoomuchhonor，\"Laverickdeclared，seatinghimselfandtakingupthecarte。
\"Then，too，\"shecontinued，\"Isupalonewithyou。ThatiswhatI
seldomdowithanyman。NotthatIcarefortheappearance，\"sheadded，withacontemptuouswaveofthehand。\"Nothingtroublesmeless。Itissimplythatonemanaloneweariesme。Almostalwayshewillmakelove，andthatIdonotlike。You，Mr。Laverick，Iamnotafraidof。Idonotthinkthatyouwillmakelovetome。\"
\"AnyintentionsImayhavehad，\"Laverickremarked，withasigh，\"I
forthwithbanish。Youaskahardtaskofyourcavaliers，though，Mademoiselle。\"
Shesmiledandlookedathimfromunderhereyelids。
\"Notofyou，Ifancy，Mr。Laverick，\"shesaid。\"Idonotthinkthatyouareoneofthosewhomakelovetoeverywomanbecausesheisgood-lookingorfamous。\"
\"Totellyouthetruth，\"Laverickadmitted，\"Ifindithardtomakelovetoanyone。Ioftenfeelthemostprofoundadmirationforindividualmembersofyoursex，buttoexpressone\'sselfisdifficult-sometimesitisevenembarrassing。Forsupper？\"
\"Itisordered，\"shedeclared。\"Youaremyguest。\"
\"Impossible！\"Laverickassertedfirmly。\"IhavebeenyourguestattheOpera。Youatleastowemethehonorofbeingmineforsupper。\"
Shefrownedalittle。Shewasobviouslyunusedtobeingcontradicted。
\"Isupwithyou，then，anothernight，\"sheinsisted。\"No，\"shecontinued，\"Ifyouaregoingtolooklikethat，Itakeitback。I
supwithyouto-night。Thisisanillomenforourfutureacquaintance。Ihavegivenintoyoualready-I，whogiveintonoman。Givemesomechampagne，please。\"
Lavericktookthebottlefromtheice-pailbyhisside，butthesommelierdartedforwardandservedthem。
\"Idrinktoourbetterunderstandingofoneanother，Mr。Laverick，\"
shesaid，raisingherglass，\"and，ifyouwouldlikeadoubletoast，Idrinkalsototheearlygratificationofthecuriositywhichisconsumingyou。\"
\"Thecuriosity？\"
\"Yes！YouarewonderingallthetimewhyitisthatIchoselastnighttosendandhaveyoupresentedtome，whyIcametoyourofficeinthecityto-daywiththeexcuseofinvestingmoneywithyou，whyIinvitedyoutotheOperato-night，whyIcommandedyoutosupperhereandamsuppingwithyoualone。Nowconfessthetruth；youarefullofcuriosity，isitnotso？\"
\"Frankly，Iam。\"
Shesmiledgood-humoredly。
\"Iknewitquitewell。Youarenotconceited。Youdonotbelieve，assomanymenwould，thatIhavefalleninlovewithyou。Youthinkthattheremustbesomeobject，andyouaskyourselfallthetime，\'Whatisit？\'inyourheart，Mr。Laverick，Iwonderwhetheryouhaveanyidea。\"
Hervoicehadfallenalmosttoawhisper。Shelookedathimwithasuggestionofstealthinessfromunderhereyelids，alookwhichonlyneededtheslightestsofteningofherfacetohavemadeitsomethingalmostirresistible。
\"Icanassureyou，\"Lavericksaidfirmly，\"thatIhavenoidea。\"
\"Doyourememberalmostmyfirstquestiontoyou？\"sheasked。
\"Itwasaboutthemurder。Youseemedinterestedinthefactthatmyofficewaswithinafewyardsofthepassagewhereitoccurred。\"
\"Quiteright，\"sheadmitted。\"Iseethatyourmemoryisverygood。
There，then，Mr。Laverick，youhavethesecretofmydesiretomeetyou。\"
Laverickdrankhiswineslowly。Thewomanknew！Impossible！Hereyeswerewatchinghisface，butheheldhimselfbravely。Whatcouldsheknow？Howcouldsheguess？
\"Frankly，\"hesaid，\"Idonotunderstand。Yourinterestinmearisesfromthefactthatmyofficesarenearthesceneofthatmurder。Well，tobeginwith，whatconcernhaveyouinthat？\"
\"Themurderedman，\"shedeclaredthoughtfully，\"wasanacquaintanceofmine。\"
\"Anacquaintanceofyours！\"Laverickexclaimed。\"Why，hehasnotbeenidentified。Nooneknowswhohewas。\"
Sheraisedhereyebrowsveryslightly。
\"Mr。Laverick，\"shemurmured，\"thenewspapersdonottellyoueverything。Irepeatthatthemurderedmanwasanacquaintanceofmine。OnlythreedaysagoItraveledpartofthewayfromViennawithhim。\"
Laverickwasintenselyinterested。
\"Youcould，perhaps，throwsomelight，then，uponhisdeath？\"
\"PerhapsIcould，\"sheanswered。\"Icantellyouonething，atanyrate，Mr。Laverick，ifitisnewstoyou。Atthetimewhenhewasmurdered，hewascarryingaverylargesumofmoneywithhim。ThisisafactwhichhasnotbeenspokenofinthePress。\"
OnceagainLaverickwasthankfulforthosenervesofhis。Hesatquitestill。Hisfaceexhibitednothingmorethantheblankamazementwhichhecertainlyfelt。
\"Thisismarvelous，\"hesaid。\"Haveyoutoldthepolice？\"
\"Ihavenot，\"sheanswered。\"Iwish，ifIcan，toavoidtellingthepolice。\"
\"Butthemoney？Towhomdiditbelong？\"
\"Nottothemurderedman。\"
\"Toanyonewhomyouknowof？\"heinquired。
\"Iwonder，\"shesaid，afteramomentofhesitation，\"whetherIamtellingyoutoomuch。\"
\"Youaretellingmeagooddeal，\"headmittedfrankly。
\"Iwonderhowfar，\"sheasked，\"youwillbeinclinedtoreciprocate？\"
\"Ireciprocate！\"heexclaimed。\"ButwhatcanIdo？WhatdoIknowofthesethings？\"
Shestretchedoutherhandlazily，anddrewtowardsherawonderfulgoldpursesetwithemeralds。Carefullyopeningit，shedrewfromtheinteriorasmallflatpocketbook，alsoofgold，withagreatuncutemeraldsetintoitscentre。This，too，sheopened，anddrewoutseveralsheetsofforeignnote-paperpinnedtogetheratthetop。
Thesesheglancedthroughuntilshecametothethirdorfourth。
ThenshebentitdownandpasseditacrossthetabletoLaverick。
\"Youmayreadthat，\"shesaid。\"ItispartofareportwhichIhavehadinmypossessionsinceWednesdaymorning。\"
Laverickdrewthesheettowardshimandread，inthin，angularcharacters，verydistinctandplain:
Sometenminutesaftertheassault，apolicemanpasseddownthestreetbutdidnotglancetowardthepassage。Thenextpersontoappearwasagentlemanwholeftsomeofficesonthesamesideasthepassage，andwalkeddownevidentlyonhishomewardway。Heglancedupthepassageandsawthebodylyingthere。Hedisappearedforamomentandstruckamatch。
Aminuteafterwardsheemergedfromthepassage，lookedupanddownthestreet，andfindingitemptyreturnedtotheofficefromwhichhehadissued，lethimselfinwithhislatchkey，andclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hewasthereforabouttenminutes。Whenhereappeared，hewalkedquicklydownthestreetandforobviousreasonsIwasunabletofollowhim。
Theaddressoftheofficeswhichheleftandre-enteredwasMessrs。Laverick&Morrison，Stockbrokers。
\"Thatinterestsyou，Mr。Laverick？\"sheaskedsoftly。
Hehandeditbacktoher。
\"Itinterestsmeverymuch，\"heanswered。\"Whowasthisunseenpersonwhowrotefromtheclouds？\"
\"Imaynottellyouallmysecrets，Mr。Laverick，\"shedeclared。
\"Whathaveyoudonewiththattwentythousandpounds？\"
Laverickhelpedhimselftochampagne。Helistenedforamomenttothemusic，andlookedintothewonderfuleyeswhichshonefromthatbeautifulfaceafewfeetaway。Herlipswereslightlyparted，herforeheadwrinkled。Therewasnothingoftheaccuserinhercountenance；agentleironywasitsmostpoignantexpression。
\"Isthisafairytale，MademoiselleIdiale？\"
Sheshruggedhershoulders。
\"Itmightseemso，\"sheanswered。\"SometimesIthinkthatallthetimewelivetwolives，-thelifeofwhichtheworldseestheoutside，andthelifeinsideofwhichnoonesaveourselvesknowsanythingatall。Look，forinstance，atallthesepeople-thesechorusgirlsandyoungmenabouttown-theolderones，too-allhungryforpleasure，alldrinkingatthecupoflifeasthoughtheyhadindeedbutto-dayandto-morrowinwhichtoliveandenjoy。
Havetheynoshadows，too，nosecrets？Theyseemsoharmless，yetifthegreatwhitetruthshonedown，mightonenotfindamurdererthere，adyingmanwhoknewhisterriblesecret，yonderaCroesusonthevergeofbankruptcy，astrongmanplayingwithdishonor？Butthosearethethingsoftheotherworldwhichwedonotsee。Themenlookatusto-nightandtheyenvyyoubecauseyouarewithme。
ThewomenenvymemorebecauseIhaveemeraldsuponmyneckandshouldersforwhichtheywouldgivetheirsouls，andafamethroughoutEuropewhichwouldturntheirfoolishheadsinaveryfewminutes。Buttheydonotknow。Therearetheshadowsacrossmypath，andIthinkthattherearetheshadowsacrossyours。Whatdoyousay，Mr。Laverick？\"
Helookedather，curiouslymoved。Nowatlasthebegantobelievethatitwastruewhattheysaidofher，thatshewasindeedamarvelouswoman。Shehadafamewhichwouldhavecontentedninehundredandninety-ninewomenoutofathousand。Shehadbeauty，and，morewonderfulstill，thegrace，thefascinationwhichareirresistible。Shehadbuttoliftafingerandtherewerefewwhowouldnotkneeltodoherbidding。Andyet，behinditalltherewereotherthingsinherlife。Hadshesoughtthem，orhadtheycometoher？
\"Youareoneofthosewisepeople，Mr。Laverick，\"shesaid，\"whorealizethedangerofwords。Youbelieveinsilence。Well，silenceisoftengood。Youdonotchoosetoadmitanything。\"
\"Whatisthereformetoadmit？DoyouwanttoknowwhetherIamthemanwholeftthoseoffices，whodisappearedintothepassage，whoreappearedagain-\"
\"Withapocket-bookcontainingtwentythousandpounds，\"shemurmuredacrosstheflowers。
\"Atleasttellmethis？\"hedemanded。\"Wasthemoneyyours？\"
\"Iamnotlikeyou，\"shereplied。\"IhavetalkedagreatdealandIhavereachedthelimitofthethingswhichImaytellyou。\"
\"Butwherearewe？\"heasked。\"Areyouseriouslyaccusingmeofhavingrobbedthismurderedman？\"
\"Bethankful，\"shedeclared，\"thatIamnotaccusingyouofhavingmurderedhim。\"
\"Butseriously，\"heinsisted，\"amIonmydefencehaveItoaccountformymovementsthatnightasagainstthewrittenwordofyourmysteriousinformant？Isityouwhoarechargingmewithbeingathief？IsittoyouIamtoaccountformyactions，todefendmyselfortopleadguilty？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"No，\"sheanswered。\"Ihavesaidalmostmylastwordtoyouuponthissubject。AllthatIhavetoaskofyouisthis。Ifthatpocket-bookisinyourpossession，emptyitfirstofitscontents，thengooveritcarefullywithyourfingersandseeifthereisnotasecretpocket。Ifyoudiscoverthat，Ithinkthatyouwillfindinitasealeddocument。Ifyoufindthatdocument，youmustbringittome。\"
Thelightswentdown。Thevoiceofthewaitermurmuredsomethinginhisears。
\"Itisafterhours，\"MademoiselleIdialesaid，\"butLuigidoesnotwishtodisturbus。Still，perhapswehadbettergo。\"
Theypasseddowntheroom。ToLaverickitwasall-likeadream-
thelaughingcrowd，theflushedmenandbright-eyedwomen，theloweredlights，theairofvoluptuousnesswhichsomehowseemedtohaveenfoldedtheplace。Inthehallhermaidcameup。Asmallmotor-brougham，withtwoservantsonthebox，wasstandingatthedoorway。Mademoiselleturnedsuddenlyandgavehimherhand。
\"Oursupper-party，Ithink，Mr。Laverick，\"shesaid，\"hasbeenquiteasuccess。Weshallbeforelong，Ihope，meetagain。\"
Hehandedherintothecarriage。Hermaidwalkedwiththem。Thefootmanstooderectbyhisside。Therewerenofurtherwordstobespoken。Alittlecrowdinthedoorwayenviedhimashestoodbareheadeduponthepavement。
CHAPTERXXV
JIMSHEPHERD\'SSCARE
Itwas，initsway，apatheticsightuponwhichLaverickgazedwhenhestoleintothatshabbylittlesitting-room。Zoehadfallenasleepinasmall，uncomfortableeasy-chairwithitsbacktothewindow。Hersupperofbreadandmilkwashalffinished，herhatlayuponthetable。Abookwasuponherlapasthoughshehadstartedtoreadonlytofinditslipthroughherfingers。Hestoodwithhiselbowuponthemantelpiece，lookingdownather。Hereyelashes，longandsilky，weremorebeautifulthanevernowthathereyeswereclosed。Hercomplexion，palethoughshewas，seemedmorethecreamypallorofsomesouthernracethanthewhitenessofill-health。Thebodiceofherdresswasopenafewinchesattheneck，showingthefaintwhitesmoothnessofherflawlessskin。
Notevenhershabbyshoescouldconcealtheperfectshapeofherfeetandankles。Oncemoreherememberedhisfirstsimile，hisfirstthoughtofher。Sheseemed，indeed，likesomedaintystatuette，uncouthlyclad，whohadstrayedfromaworldofherownuponroughdaysandfoundherselfill-equippedindeedforthestruggle。HisheartgrewhotwithangeragainstMorrisonashestoodandwatchedher。Supposingshehadbeendifferent！Itwouldhavebeenhisfault，leavingheralonetobattleherwaythroughthemostdifficultofalllives。Brute！
Hehadmutteredthewordhalfaloudandshesuddenlyopenedhereyes。Atfirstsheseemedbewildered。Thenshesmiledandsatup。
\"Ihavebeenasleep！\"sheexclaimed。
\"Amostunnecessarystatement，\"heanswered，smiling。\"Ihavebeenstandinglookingatyouforfiveminutesatleast。\"
\"HowfortunatethatIgaveyouthekey！\"shedeclared。\"Idon\'tsupposeIshouldeverhaveheardyou。Nowpleasestandthereinthelightandletmelookatyou。\"
\"Why？\"
\"IwanttolookatamanwhohashadsupperwithMademoiselleIdiale。\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\"AmIsupposedtobeawandereroutofParadise，then？\"
Shelookedathimdoubtfully。
\"Theytellstrangestoriesabouther，\"shesaid；\"butoh，sheissobeautiful！IfIwereaman，Ishouldfallinlovewithherifsheevenlookedmyway。\"
\"ThenIamglad，\"heanswered，\"thatIamlessimpressionable。\"
\"Andyouarenotinlovewithher？\"sheaskedeagerly。
\"WhyshouldIbe？\"helaughed。\"Sheislikeawonderfulpicture，amarvelousstatue，ifyouwill。Everythingaboutherisfaultless。
Butonelooksatthesethingscalmlyenough，youknow。Itislifewhichstirslife。\"
\"Doyouthinkthatthereisnolifeinherveins，then？\"Zoeasked。
\"Ifthereis，\"heanswered，\"IdonotthinkthatIamthemantostirit。\"
Shedrewalittlesighofcontent。
\"Yousee，\"shesaid，\"youaremyfirstadmirer，andIhaven\'ttheleastdesiretoletyougo。\"
\"Incredible！\"hedeclared。
\"Butitistrue，\"sheansweredearnestly。\"Youwouldnothavemetalktotheseboyswhocomeandhangonatthestage-door。ThementowhomIhavebeenintroducedbytheothergirlshavebeenveryfew，andtheyhavenotbeenverynice，andtheyhavenotcaredformeandIhavenotcaredforthem。Ithink，\"shesaid，disconsolately，\"Iamtoosmall。Everyoneto-dayseemstolikebigwomen。CoraSinclair，whoisjustbehindmeinthechorus，getsbouquetseverynight，andsimplychooseswithwhomsheshouldgoouttosupper。\"
Lavericklookedgrave。
\"Youarenotenvyingher？\"heasked。
\"Notintheleast，aslongasItooamtakenoutsometimes。\"
Lavericksmiledandsatonthearmofherchair。
\"MissZoe，\"hesaid，\"Ihavecomebecauseyoutoldmeto，justtoprove，yousee，thatIamnotinthetoilsofMademoiselleIdiale。
Butdoyouknowthatitishalfpastone？Imustnotstayhereanylonger。\"
Shesighedoncemore。
\"Youareright，\"sheadmitted，\"butitissolonely。IhaveneverbeenherewithoutMayandhermother。Ihaveneversleptaloneinthehousebeforetheothernight。IfIhadknownthattheyweregoingaway，Ishouldneverhavedaredtocomehere。\"
\"Itistoobad，\"hedeclared。\"Couldn\'tyougetoneoftheothergirlstostaywithyou？\"
Sheshookherhead。
\"ThereareoneortwowhomIwouldliketohave，\"shesaid，\"buttheyarealllivingeitherathomeorwithrelatives。TheothersI
amafraidabout。Theyseemtoliketositupsolateand-\"
\"Youarequiteright，\"heinterruptedhastily，-\"quiteright。Youarebetteralone。Butyououghttohaveaservant。\"
Shelaughed。
\"Ontwopoundsfifteenaweek？\"sheasked。\"YoumustrememberthatIcouldnotevenlivehere，onlyIhavepracticallynorenttopay。\"
Hefidgetedforamoment。
\"MissZoe，\"hesaid，\"IamperfectlyseriouswhenItellyouthatI
havemoneywhichshouldgotoyourbrother。Whywillyounotletmealteryourarrangementsjustalittle？Icannotbeartothinkofyouhereallalone。\"
\"Itisverykindofyou，\"sheanswereddoubtfully；\"butplease，no。
Somehow，IthinkthatitwouldspoileverythingifIacceptedthatsortofhelpfromyou。IfyouhaveanymoneyofArthur\'s，keepitforatimeandIthinkwhenyouwritehim-Idonotwanttoseemgrasping-butIthinkifhehasanytospareyoumightsuggestthathedoesgivemejustalittle。Ihaveneverhadanythingfromhimatall。Perhapshedoesnotquiteunderstandhowharditisforme。
\"Iwilldothat，ofcourse，\"Laverickanswered，\"butIwishyouwouldletmeatleastpayoveralittleofwhatIconsiderduetoyou。Iwilltaketheresponsibilityforit。Itwillcomefromhimandnotfromme。\"
Sheremainedunconvinced。
\"Iwouldratherwait，\"shesaid。\"Ifyoureallywanttogivemesomething，Iwillletyou-outofmybrother\'smoney，ofcourse，Imean，\"sheadded。\"Ihaven\'tanythingsavedatall，orIwouldn\'thavethat。Butonedayyoushalltakemeoutandbuymeadressandhat。YoucantellArthurdirectlyyouwritetohim。Idon\'tmindthat，forsometimesIdofeelashamed-Ididtheothernighttohaveyousitwithmethere，andtofeelthatIwasdressedsoverydifferentlyfromallofthem。\"
Helaughedreassuringly。
\"Idon\'tthinkmennoticethosethings。Tomeyouseemedjustasyoushouldseem。IonlyknowthatIwasgladenoughtobetherewithyou。\"
\"Wereyou？\"-ratherwistfully。
\"OfcourseIwas。NowIamgoing，butbeforeIgo，don\'tforgetMondayafternoon。We\'llhavelunchandthengotoyourbrother\'srooms。\"
Sheglancedattheclock。
\"Isitreallysolate？\"sheasked。
\"Itis。Don\'tyounoticehowquietitisoutside？\"
Theystoodhandinhandforamoment。Astrangesilenceseemedtohavefallenuponthestreets。LaverickwassuddenlyconsciousofsomethingwhichhehadneverfeltwhenMademoiselleIdialehadsmileduponhim-aquickeningofthepulses，asenseofgatheringexcitementwhichalmosttookhisbreathaway。Hiseyeswerefixeduponhers，andheseemedtoseethereflectionofthatsamewaveoffeelinginherownexpressiveface。Herlipstrembled，hereyesweredeeperandsofterthanever。Theyseemedtobeaskinghimaquestion，askingandaskingtilleveryfibreofhisbodywasconcentratedinthedesperateeffortwith，whichhekeptheratarm\'slength。
\"Isitsoverylate？\"shewhispered，comingjustalittlecloser，sothatshewasindeedalmostwithintheshelterofhisarms。
Heclutchedherhandsalmostroughlyandraisedthemtohislips。
\"Muchtoolateformetostayhere，child，\"hesaid，andhisvoiceeventohimselfsoundedhardandunnatural。
\"Runalongtobed。To-morrownight-to-morrownight，then，Iwillfetchyou。Good-bye！\"
Helethimselfout。Hedidnotevenlookbehindtothespotwherehehadlefther。Heclosedthefrontdoorandwalkedwithswift，almostsavagefootstepsdownthequietStreet，acrosstheSquare，andintoNewOxfordStreet。Hereheseemedtobreathemorefreely。
Hecalledahansomanddrovetohisrooms。
Thehall-porterhadlefthispostinthefronthall，andtherewasnoonetoinformLaverickthatavisitorwasawaitinghim。Whenheenteredhissitting-room，however，hegavealittlestartofsurprise。
Mr。JamesShepherdwasreclininginhiseasy-chairwithhishandsuponhisknees-Mr。JamesShepherdwithhisfacemorepastyeventhanusual，hiseyesatriflegreener，hiswholedemeanoroneofunconcealedandunaffectedterror。
\"Hullo！\"Laverickexclaimed。\"Whatthedickens-whatdoyouwanthere，Shepherd？\"
\"Uponmyword，sir，I\'mnotsurethatIknow，\"themanreplied，\"butI\'mscared。I\'vebroughtyoubackthecertificatesofthemshares。Iwantyoutokeepthemforme。I\'mterrifiedlesttheycomeandsearchmyroom。Iam，Itellyoufair。I\'mterrifiedtoorderapintofbeerformyself。They\'rewatchingmeallthetime。\"
\"Whoare？\"Laverickdemanded。
\"Lordknowswho；\"Shepherdanswered，\"butthere\'stwoofthematit。
Itoldyouaboutthemasaskedquestions，andIthoughttherewe\'ddoneandfinishedwithit。Notabitofit！Therewasanotheronetherethisafternoon，saidhewasajournalist，makingsketchesofthepassageandaskingmenoendofquestions。Hewasn\'tnojournalist，I\'llsweartothat。Iaskedhimabouthispaper。
\'Half-a-dozen，\'hedeclared。\'They\'reallgladtohavewhatIsendthem。\'Journalist！Lordknowswhotheotherchapwasandwhathewasaskingquestionsfor，butthisonewasa\'tec，straight。JoeForman，hewasinto-daylookingaftermyplace，forI\'dgivenamonth\'snotice，andhesaystome，\"Youseethatbigchap？\'-meaninghimashadbeenaskingmethequestions-andIsays\"Yes！\'andhesays，\'That\'sa\'tee。I\'veseedhiminapolicecourt，givingevidence。\'Iwentallofashiversothatyoucouldhaveknockedmedown。\"
\"Come，come！\"saidLaverick。\"There\'snoneedforyoutobefeelinglikethisaboutit。Allthatyou\'vedoneisnottohaverememberedthosetwocustomerswhowereinyourrestaurantlateonenight。
There\'snothingcriminalinthat。\"
\"There\'ssomethingcriminalinhavingtwohundredandfiftypounds\'
worthofsharesinone\'spocket-somethingsuspicious，anyway，\"
Shepherddeclared，plumpingthemdownonthetable。\"Iain\'tgivingyoutheseback，mind，butyoumustkeep\'emforme。IwishI\'dnevergivennotice。IthinkI\'llaskthebosstokeepmeon。\"
\"Whydoyousupposethatthismanisparticularlyinterestedinyou？\"
Laverickinquired。
\"Ain\'tItoldyou？\"Shepherdexclaimed，sittingup。\"Why，he\'sbeentomyplacedownin\'Ammersmith，askingquestionsaboutme。
Mylandladyswearshedidn\'tgointomyroom，butwhocantellwhetherhedidornot？Thosesortofchapscangetinanywhere。
ThenIwentoutforabitofanairingaftertheoneo\'clockrushwasoverto-day，andI\'mdangedifhewasn\'tatmy\'eels。IseedhimcomingroundbyLiverpoolStreetjustasIwentinabartogetadropofsomething。\"
Laverickfrowned。
\"IfthereisanythinginthisStory，Shepherd，\"hesaid，\"ifyouarereallybeingfollowed，whatathunderingfoolyouweretocomehere！AlltheworldknowsthatArthurMorrisonwasmypartner。\"
\"Icouldn\'thelpit，sir，\"themandeclared。\"Icouldn\'t，indeed。
Iwassoscared，IfeltImustspeakaboutittosomeone。Andthenthereweretheseshares。TherewasnowhereIcouldkeep\'emsafe。\"
\"Lookhere，\"Laverickwenton，\"you\'realarmingyourselfaboutnothing。Inanycase，thereisonlyonethingforyoutodo。Pullyourselftogetherandputaboldfaceuponit。I\'llkeepthesecertificatesforyou，andwhenyouwantsomemoneyyoucancometomeforit。Gobacktoyourplace，andifyourmasteriswillingtokeepyouonperhapsitwouldbeagoodthingtostaythereforanothermonthorso。Butdon\'tletanyoneseethatyou\'refrightened。Remember，there\'snothingthatyoucangetintotroublefor。Noone\'sobligedtoanswersuchquestionsasyou\'vebeenasked，exceptinacourtandunderoath。Sticktoyourstory，andifyoutakemyadvice，\"Laverickadded，glancingathisvisitor\'sshakingfingers，\"youwillkeepawayfromthedrink。\"
\"It\'slittleenoughI\'vehad，sir，\"Shepherdassuredhim。\"Adropnowandthenjusttokeepupone\'sspirits-nothingthatamountstoanything。\"
\"Makeitaslittleaspossible，\"Lavericksaid。\"Remember，I\'mbackofyou，I\'llseethatyougetintonotrouble。Anddon\'tcomehereagain。Cometomyoffice，ifyoulike-there\'snothinginthat-
butdon\'tcomehere，youunderstand？\"
Shepherdtookuphishat。
\"Iunderstand，sir。I\'msorrytohavetroubledyou，butthesightofthatmanfollowingmeaboutfairlygavemetheshivers。\"
\"Comeintotheofficeasoftenasyoulike，inreason，Lavericksaid，showinghimout，\"butnothereagain。Keepyoureyesopen，andletmeknowifyouthinkyou\'vebeenfollowedhere。\"
\"There\'snomorenewsinthepapers，sir？Nothingturnedup？\"
\"Nothing，\"repliedLaverick。\"Ifthepolicehavefoundoutanythingatall，theywillkeepituntilaftertheinquest。\"
\"Andyou\'veheard。nothing，sir，\"Shepherdasked，speakinginahoarsewhisper，\"ofMr。Morrison？\"
\"Nothing，\"Laverickanswered。\"Mr。Morrisonisabroad。\"
Themanwipedhisforeheadwithhishand。
\"Ofcourse！\"hemuttered。\"Agoodjob，too，forhim！\"
CHAPTERXXVI
THEDOCUMENTDISCOVERED
Onthefollowingmorning，Lavericksurprisedhisofficecleanerandoneerrand-boybyappearingataboutaquartertonine。HefoundawomanbusybrushingouthisroomandamanCleaningthewindows。
Theystaredathiminamazement。Hisarrivalatsuchanhourwasabsolutelyunprecedented。
\"Youcanleavetheofficejustasitis，ifyouplease，\"hetoldthem。\"Ihaveafewthingstoattendtoatonce。\"
Hewasaccordinglyleftalone。Hehadreckoneduponthisasbeingtheoneperiodduringthedaywhenhecouldrelyuponnotbeingdisturbed。Nevertheless，helockedthedoorsoastobesecureagainstanypossibleintruder。Thenhewenttohissafe，unlockedit，anddrewfromitssecretdrawerthewornbrown-leatherpocket-book。
Firstofallhetookoutthenotesandlaidthemuponthetable。
Thenhefeltthepocket-bookalloverandhisheartgavealittleleap。ItwastruewhatMademoiselleIdialehadtoldhim。Ononesidetherewasdistinctlyarustlingasofpaper。Heopenedthecasequiteflatandpassedhisfingerscarefullyoverthelining。
Verysoonhefoundtheopening-itwassimplyamatterofdrawingdownthestiffsilkliningfromunderneaththeoverlappingedge。
Thrustinginhisfingers，hedrewoutalongforeignenvelope，securelysealed。Scarcelystoppingtoglanceatit，herearrangedthepocket-book，replacedthenotes，andlockeditupagain。Thenheunboltedhisdoorandsatdownathisdesk，withthedocumentwhichhehaddiscovered，onthepadinfrontofhim。
Therewasnotmuchtobemadeofit。Therewasnoaddress，buttheblacksealattheendboretheimpressionofaforeigncoatofarms，andamottowhichtohimwasindecipherable。Heheldituptothelight，buttheoutsidesheethadnotbeenwrittenon，andhegainednoideaastoitscontents。Heleanedbackinhischairforamoment，andlookedatit。SothiswasthedocumentwhichwouldprobablyrevealthesecretofthemurderinCrookedFriars\'Alley！
ThiswasthedocumentwhichMademoiselleIdialeconsideredofsomuchmoreimportancethanthefortunerepresentedbythatpacketofbank-notes！Whatdiditallmean？Wasthisman，whohadeitherexpiatedacrimeorbeenthevictimofaterriblevengeance，-washeapolitician，adealerintradesecrets，amemberofasecretsociety，aninformer？Orwasheoneoftheundergroundcriminalsoftheworld，oneofthosewhocrawlbeneaththesurfaceofknownthings-acreatureofthedarkplaces？Perhapsduringthosefewminutes，whenhisbrainwascoolandactive，withthegreatcityawakeningallaroundhim，Laverickrealizedmorecompletelythaneverbeforeexactlyhowhestood。Withoutdoubthewaswalkingonthebrinkofaprecipice。Fourdaysagotherehadbeennothingforhimbutruin。Themeansofsalvationhadsuddenlypresentedthemselvesinthisstartlinganddramaticmanner，andwithouthesitationhehadembracedthem。Whatdiditallamountto？Howfarwasheguilty，andofwhat？Washeathief？Thelawwouldprobablycallhimso。Thelawmighthaveevenmoretosay。Itwouldsaythatbykeepinghismouthclosedastohisadventureonthatnighthehadrangedhimselfonthesideofthecriminals，-hewasguiltynotonlyoftechnicaltheft，butofacriminalknowledgeofthisterriblecrime。Eventshadfollowedupononeanothersorapidlyduringtheselastfewdaysthathehadlittleenoughtimeforreflection，littletimetorealizeexactlyhowhestood。Thelong-expectedboomin\"Unions，\"thecomingofZoe，thestrangeadvancesmadetohimbyMademoiselleIdiale，herincomprehensibleconnectionwiththistragedyacrosswhichhehadstumbled，andherapparentknowledgeofhisshareinit，-thesethingsweresufficient，indeed，togivehimfoodforthought。Laverickwasnotbynatureapessimist。Otherthingsbeingequal，hewouldhavemade，withoutdoubt，amagnificentsoldier，forhehadcourageofarareandhighorder。Itneveroccurredtohimtositandbrooduponhisowndanger。
Heratherwelcomedtheopportunityofoccupyinghismindwithotherthoughts。Yetinthosefewminutes，whilehewaitedforthebusinessofthe:daytocommence，helookedhisexactpositioninthefaceandherealizedmorethoroughlyhowgraveitreallywas。Howwashetofindawayout-tosethimselfrightwiththelaw？Whatcouldhedowiththosenotes？Theywerethereuntouched。Hehadonlymadeuseoftheminanindirectway。Theywerethereintact，ashehadpickedthemupuponthatfatefulnight。Wasthereanypossiblechancebymeansofwhichhemightdiscovertheownerandrestoretheminsuchawaythathisnamemightneverbementioned？
Hiseyesrepeatedlysoughtthatenvelopewhichlaybeforehim。
Insideitmustliethesecretofthewholetragedy。Shouldheriskeverythingandbreaktheseal，orshouldheriskperhapsasmuchandtellthewholetruthtoMademoiselleIdiale？Itwasastrangedilemmaforamantofindhimselfin。
Then，ashesatthere，thebusinessofthedaycommenced。Apileofletterswasbroughtin，thetelephonesintheouterofficebegantoring。Hethrustthesealedenvelopeintothebreast-pocketofhiscoatandbuttoneditup。There，forthepresent，itmustremain。
Heowedittohimselftodevoteeveryenergyhepossessedtomakethemostofthisgreattideofbusiness。Withsetfaceheclosedthedoorsupontheunrealworld，andtookholdoftheleverswhichweretoguidehispassagethroughtheoneinwhichhewasanactualfigure。
Hervisitwasnotaltogetherunexpected，andyet，whentheytoldhimthatMademoiselleIdialewasoutside，hehesitated。
\"Itistheladywhowasheretheotherday，\"hisheadclerkremindedhim。\"Wemadearemarkablygoodchoiceofstocksforher。Theymustbeshowingnearlysixteenhundredpoundsprofit。Perhapsshewantstorealize。\"
\"Inanycase，youhadbettershowherin，\"saidLaverick。
Shecame，bringingwithher，notwithstandingherblackclothesandheavyveil，theatmosphereofastrangeworldintohissomewhatseverelyfurnishedoffice。Herskirtsswepthiscarpetwithamusicalswirl。Shecarriedwithherafaint，indefinableperfumeofviolets，-aperfumealtogetherpeculiar，dedicatedtoherbyafamouschemistintheRueRoyale，andsuppliedtonootherpersonuponearth。Whoelsewasthere，indeed，whocouldhavewalkedthosefewyardsasshewalked？
Herosetohisfeetandpointedtoachair。
\"Youhavecometoaskaboutyourshares？\"heaskedpolitely。\"Sofar，wehavenothingbutgoodnewsforyou。\"
Sherecognizedthathespoketoherinthepresenceofhisclerk，andshewavedherhand。
\"Womenwhowillcomethemselvestolookaftertheirpoorinvestmentsareanuisance，Isuppose，\"shesaid。\"ButindeedIwillnotkeepyoulong。AfewminutesareallthatIshallaskofyou。Iambeginningtofindcityaffairssointeresting。\"